Reader Spotlight 

Tell us about your family including pets.

I have been married for almost 19 years to my best friend, Christopher, and I am a mom of three kids - Clara, Jack, Loren - and one dog.

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Where are you from originally? Where do you now reside?

I was born and raised in Ontario, Canada and moved to Michigan 24 years ago.  I have been living in Bay City for the last 17 years.

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How long have you worked at the BCHS?

I started working at the BCHS in October of 2022.

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How many others work here?

The museum staff includes Jamie Kramer, Research Library & Education Manager, and Claire Clark, Business Manager.  We also have many volunteers who help in the store, exhibits, special events, education research, and maintenance.  The museum is managed by the board.

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How would you describe what readers can find at the museum?

The Bay County Historical Society is home to the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame. Visitors can view our galleries both in-person and virtually to learn about Bay County history, including logging, ship building, marine history, industrial history, Bay County’s Black History, and of course Michigan rock and roll. 

The Robert & Ann Hachtel Theater shows daily matinees: Delta College Public Media history documentaries, Rock and Roll documentaries, and recordings of our Second Saturday programs. 

Families with preschoolers are invited to utilize the Delta College PBS Raising Readers Room with books supplied by the Bay County Library System, and learning toys donated by the Bay-Arenac Great Start.

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Who decides what is exhibited?

The staff decides on the exhibits.  They design, research, build and install each exhibit.

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How many are permanent exhibits?

There are five permanent exhibits: Bay County – Trail Through Times, Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy, Bay City – Seaport to the World, Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame, and Bay County Black History

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What is your current favorite exhibit - for adults? for kids?

Adults: The temporary exhibit “Window Shopping in Bay City” has been up for the nine months and features different Bay City’s early business.  The artwork was created by a past employee David Hohenstein and is beautiful.  This exhibit really gives visitors a feel for the type of community that Bay City was at that time. The exhibit will be up until the end of October.

Kids: The Preschool Room is amazing for young families.  Families are given a scavenger hunt which allows them to explore the whole museum to find specific items.  They end up in the Preschool Room which was a multi-organization collaboration including Bay-Arenac Great Start, Delta College Public Media, Bay County Public Library, and the museum.  It was funded through a grant from Parents as Teachers National Center.  I love that it gives young families a safe place to visit and hopefully, inspire a love for museums from our youngest visitors.

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What special events do you have going on this summer or early fall?

Tuesdays, 10 AM - 4 PM:  Preschool Tuesday – Family Playtime

Preschoolers + adult are invited to stop by the Museum any time from 10 AM - 4 PM to complete the PRESCHOOL MUSEUM CHALLENGE - MUSIC.

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Together you can explore the galleries for clues to complete the challenge, discover Delta College’s PBS Raising Readers Room with books supplied by the Bay County Library System, and play at the activity table. Stop by the Museum Store for a to-go activity and a coupon for a treat from McDonalds.

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