Press Release December 30, 2014 Media Contact Bill McElhone Kalamazoo Valley Museum Director 269-373-7990, [email protected] January 10 Hands-On Event Celebrates Kalamazoo’s “Heroes in Time” During the Jan. 10 “Heroes in Time” hands-on program at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, guests are invited to discover local heroes by creating artifact reproductions and going on a scavenger hunt through the Kalamazoo Valley Museum’s history gallery. The free event runs from 1 to 4 p.m. The Museum’s hands-on programs are designed for children ages 5-12 and their families. Hands- on activities highlight different parts of the Museum's permanent and temporary exhibits and collections. Participants make arts and crafts to take home and sometimes see demonstrations or performances. When the Kalamazoo Valley Museum opened its newly-renovated history gallery, “Kalamazoo Direct to You,” it recognized the everyday local heroes who helped Kalamazoo become the place it is today. Take a celebratory walk through history creating crafts inspired by the imaginations of entrepreneurs, inventors, and leaders from the past. Samuel Gibson came from Fitchburg, Massachusetts in 1867 to be the Kalamazoo Paper Company’s bookkeeper. He went on to become plant superintendent and later the company president. Not only did the company produce a wide variety of papers, they formed their own town and company baseball team. Learn how to fold a paper baseball. Ted McCarty became president of the Gibson Guitar Company in 1950 and oversaw the development of the renowned Les Paul solid-body electric guitar. Create your own guitar design on a wooden guitar. Seth Lover, inventor of the “humbucker,” got rid of the hum that occurred when electric guitars got too close to the amplifier. See if you can create a hum by making a kazoo. Our history is filled with remarkable people such as Dr. Matilda Towsley, one of the few women doctors in Kalamazoo at the turn of the 20th century. Color a doctor's hat to salute her. Simon Pokagon, son of Chief Leopold Pokagon, was born in 1830 near Niles. He was well educated, a prolific writer, and an advocate for his people. He knew Presidents Lincoln and Grant, and spoke at the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893. Put together a journal for your own writings. A.M. Todd wasn’t the only mint farmer in the area. William Ampey attended Lawrence High School and Michigan Agricultural College. Then he bought his first parcel of farmland in 1907. By applying his education, Ampey developed a very successful mint farm. His descendants still live in the original farmhouse in Paw Paw. Mint was used in all kinds of products. See what you can create with mint-scented play dough. Local heroes covered topics from fashion, construction, and sanitation, to sports. Ethol Hotelling designed and ran a popular hat shop in town from 1929 until 1975, surviving the depression with her outstanding creations. Try your own hand at creating and designing a one-of-a-kind hat. Caroline Bartlett Crane came to Kalamazoo in 1889 to serve as a minister at the First Unitarian Church. She led the force behind city trash cans, improved street cleaning methods, and sewage disposal. Crane would be thrilled with the recycling programs today. Decorate a reusable bag in her honor. Allen Potter served as village president and Kalamazoo’s first major while overseeing a variety of construction projects, including a Corporate Hall, a new Kalamazoo County jail, and the first waterworks. See what you can build using craftsticks. The Douglass Community Center offered public dances, a library for study, a soda fountain, and basketball courts for all ages. Teams traveled to Battle Creek, Benton Harbor, and Lansing for games. Assemble a sports message board to keep track of your team practices. Children of all ages will enjoy crafts inspired by Heroes in Time! The Kalamazoo Valley Museum is operated by Kalamazoo Valley Community College and is governed by its Board of Trustees. Admission is free. .