PROGRAMS / Regional Links
Regional Links Networks
The Michigan Museums Association is committed to strengthening the ties within Michigan¹s museum community by fostering the development of regional networks. These networks encourage regular gatherings among medium, small and grassroots (all-volunteer) museums in Michigan's upper and lower peninsulas.
MMA Regional Links meetings serve as a conduit for the flow of information to and from the Michigan Museums Association. This would include news of what¹s happening in Michigan museums of all sizes, and what issues and concerns should be brought to the attention of MMA. In addition, each region addresses issues, concerns and opportunities of its own choosing. MMA membership is not a requirement for participation, however, it is hoped that familiarity with MMA through Regional Links Networks will foster MMA membership.
Currently, there are eight Regional Links Networks. The boundaries of each of these regions are flexible and were devised to group together museums with common issues and concerns. They are intended to facilitate easy travel, and to work with existing networks. To find out more about Regional Links activities in your region, the MMA office at gofortht@michiganmuseums.org.
MMA's Regional Links Network is sponsored by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs
Thumb Area
Boundaries: North-Saginaw Bay; East-Lake Huron & St. Clair River; South-Mt. Clemens; West-Sebawaing/M-15
Host: Port Huron Museum
Contact: Steve Williams (810-982-0891) swilliams@phmuseum.org
Bay Area
Boundaries: North-M-55; East-Sebawaing/M-15; South-M-57; West- I-75
Host: Historical Museum of Bay County
Contact: Gay MacInerney (989-893-5733) bchsgm@mindspring.com
West Central
Boundaries: Within a one hour drive of Grand Rapids
Host: Rotating
Contact: Gordon Olson golson@grpl.org
South Central
Boundaries: North-Jackson County line to M-52 to I-94 (excluding greater Detroit); East-Detroit River and Lake Erie; South-State line; West-US 131
Host: Ella Sharp Museum, Jackson
Contact: Lynn Loftus (517-787-2320) LynneL@ellasharp.org
Tri-Rivers Historical Museum Network
Boundaries: Currently includes the Bowne Museum, Fallasburg, Lowell, Saranac, Ionia
Host: Judy Straub, Lowell Area Historical Society
Contact: Judy Straub (616-897-7688) history@lowellmuseum.org
Southwest
Boundaries: Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties
Host: Southwestern Michigan College Museum
Contact: Jill Dixon (616-782-1374) jpdixon@smc.cc.mi.us
Northeast Lower Michigan
Boundaries: North and East-Lake Huron; South- M-55; West-I-75
Host: Jesse Besser Museum, Alpena
Contact: Jan McLean (989-356-2202) jbmuseum@northland.lib.mi.us
Northwest Lower Michigan Historical Network
Boundaries: North-Lake Michigan, East I-75, South-M-115, West-Lake Michigan.
Host: Rotates among members.
Contact: Deborah Eckout (231-882-5539) museum@t-one.net
Next Meetings: Meets every two months between September and June.
Eastern Upper Peninsula History Consortium
Boundaries: North-Lake Superior, East: St. Mary's River, South- Lakes Huron & Michigan, West-M-77.
Host: Rotates among members.
Contact: Annegret Gohring, (906-484-2234) lcha@cedarville.net
Northwoods Consortium
Boundaries: North-Lake Superior, East-______________________, South-Lake Michigan and _______________, West-_________________.
Host: Rotating
Contact: John VanWestenberg jvanwest@pasty.com
