Michigan History (magazine)
Michigan History magazine traces its roots to the Michigan Pioneer and Historical Collections, an annual single-volume publication first published in 1874 by the Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society, now called the Historical Society of Michigan. With publication of Volume 40 in 1916, the Pioneer Collections ceased production. The following year, the Michigan Historical Commission, organized in 1913, and the Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society introduced the journal Michigan History. The Society remained involved with the journal until the Commission and Society parted ways in 1948.
The Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society was reorganized in 1874 as the Historical Society of Michigan established by Michigan territorial governor Lewis Cass and explorer Henry Schoolcraft in 1828 had become inactive. It was renamed the State Historical Society of Michigan in the early twentieth century and, in 1948, returned to the original 1828 moniker of the Historical Society of Michigan.
For sixty years, Michigan History was a traditional academic quarterly publication. In 1978 the journal converted to a popular magazine format and became a bimonthly publication. In 1978, Michigan History had 5,000 subscribers eventually growing to over 25,000 paid subscribers.
In July 2009 Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm issued Executive Order 2009-36 which in part directed that Michigan History magazine be transferred to a non-profit, society or foundation. On October 1, 2009 the magazine moved to the Historical Society of Michigan, a non-governmental non-profit and the same organization that had been involved in producing the publication from its founding through 1948. The Society then established the subsidiary Michigan History Magazine L3C. Former editorial staff did not move with the magazine. New staff was announced in October 2009 and named Patricia Majher Editor. Historical Society of Michigan Executive Director Larry J. Wagenaar serves as the magazine's Publisher.
Every issue tells exciting stories of Michigan people and places, is filled with bold illustrations and colorful photos and highlights history-related books and places to visit.
From 2001-09 Michigan History magazine also published Michigan History for Kids magazine. Michigan History for Kids began as a free publication to all fourth grade students in Michigan (over 180,000). State budget restraints forced it to become a subscription-only magazine in 2004. Lower than expected subscription rates which required the publication to operate at a loss led to termination of the magazine in early 2009. In May 2014 the Historical Society of Michigan announced that Michigan History for Kids would be re-launched with support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
Michigan History is published by the Historical Society of Michigan.[1] The Historical Society of Michigan is dedicated to preserve, protect, interpret and celebrate the rich and diverse history of our state. Michigan History magazine fits squarely into the Society’s key mission areas. It also publishes the Chronicle, a forty page magazine for members and cooperates with Central Michigan University in producing and distributing the scholarly Michigan Historical Review. Other publications include the Historic Michigan Travel Guide and the Michigan History Directory.
The Historical Society of Michigan operates several statewide conferences including the State History Conference (fall), Michigan in Perspective: the Local History Conference (March/April), Upper Peninsula History Conference (June), and Mulling Over Michigan for educators (fall/winter). It operates several award and recognition programs including the Centennial Farm Program,[2] Milestone Award Program, State History Awards and Upper Peninsula History Awards. The Society also provides support to local historical organizations statewide.
