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Partnerships for Preservation
The early years of the 21st century provided significant challenges to Mackinac State Historic Parks. The national economy was flat and the Michigan economy was in recession. Jobs were fleeing from the state, unemployment soared, and consumer confidence plummeted. The state appropriation for Mackinac State Historic Parks was cut by $500,000 in 2003-2004 and tourism travel to the Straits of Mackinac declined. This financial crisis and the subsequent management challenges were the catalysts for Mackinac State Historic Parks to develop and expand a wide variety of mutually-beneficial relationships. This includes innovative and productive partnerships that support museum programs, park and environmental enhancements, marketing and sales, and fund development. These collaborative efforts have been indispensable in its recovery and have allowed it to more effectively and completely fulfill its mission of “protecting, preserving and presenting” the rich historic and natural resources of the Mackinac State Historic Parks. In his keynote address, Phil Porter explains how Mackinac State Historic Parks has developed a diverse array of effective and successful partnerships. Further, he encourages conference attendees to consider how they can address challenges and take hold of new opportunities through strategic partnerships that are sitting on their doorsteps. About our 2017 Speaker... Phil Porter was born and raised in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan and spent summers living in his family’s historic cottage on Mackinac Island. He worked as a historic interpreter at Fort Mackinac while pursuing academic studies at Kenyn College (B.A. 1974) and the Cooperstown Graduate Program of History Museum Studies (M.A. 1980). Phil joined the permanent staff of Mackinac State Historic Parks in 1976 and has served as curator of collections, curator of interpretation, and chief curator. He was appointed director of Mackinac State Historic Parks in 2003. Phil is past president of the Michigan Museums Association, past chairman of the Michigan Commission on the Commemoration of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812, and a current trustee of the Historical Society of Michigan and the Essence of Emmet Committee. Phil is the author of several books and articles and is currently completing his latest work entitled Soldiers of Fort Mackinac, A Pictorial History.
Partnerships for PreservationDate and Time
Friday May 19, 2017
12:45 PM - 2:00 PM EDTMay 19, 2017 12:45 pm - 2 pm
Location
Student and Community Resource Center, Iron Horse Café, on the campus of North Central Michigan College 1515 Howard Street Petoskey, MI 497070
Fees/Admission
Free and open to the public
Website
Contact Information
Nancy Finegood, Executive Director 517-371-8080
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