Photo by Bob Martuch
Article by Ruth Mancina
The Castle Museum of Saginaw County History has received grants from two major
organizations—Dow Corning and the Smithsonian Institution.
A $5,000 grant from the Dow Corning Donor Advised Fund through the Saginaw
Community Foundation is targeted for History on the Move, a mobile museum and
classroom that is available for free to all schools in Saginaw County. The interactive
program allows children in grades 2-5 to learn about the field of archaeology and how an
archaeologist works.
The Smithsonian Institution awarded a $5,000 community grant to assist the Museum in
creating a local companion exhibit for Bittersweet Harvest:The Bracero Program, which
is opening at the Castle on May 21, 2011.
Bittersweet Harvest is organized by the National Museum of American History and
organized for travel by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. It is a
moving bilingual exhibition that examines the experiences of the bracero workers and
their families. Bracero is derived from the Spanish word “braza” meaning arm, which
refers to farm hands or labor for hire.
“We are honored to have been chosen for these grants,” Executive Director Ken Santa
said. “These grants will assist the Museum in continuing to bring engaging, interactive
and educational programs to the Great Lakes Bay Region.”
The Castle Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,
and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Historical Society of Saginaw County is committed to serve the community by
telling the continuing story of the people of the Saginaw region through exploration,
preservation, and presentation of their historical and cultural heritage.
© Ruth Mancina, 2011