The Power of the Past and Present
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About the Show
In the upcoming episodes, we’ll feature conversations from the Mackinac Policy Conference, which centers around the theme “the Power of &.” This theme encourages dialogue among speakers and attendees, emphasizing the importance of an inclusive approach for Michigan’s policy solutions. By bridging divides and fostering nuanced thinking, the concept of “the Power of &” promotes unity, progress, and benefits across various sectors in the state. We’re continuing our conversations with conference attendees.
On this episode, we’ll focus on the power of the past and present of history throughout Michigan.
Guests:
- Detroit Historical Society President and CEO, Elana Rugh
- Detroit Institute of Arts Executive Director, Public Affairs & Community Engagement, Julie McFarland
- Detroit Zoo Executive Director and CEO, Hayley Murphy
- Fair Lane: Home of Clara and Henry Ford President and CEO, Bob Bury
- Michigan Science Center President and CEO, Christian Greer
- The Henry Ford President and CEO, Patricia Mooradian
- The Detroit News Editor and Publisher, Gary Miles
Transcript
Chuck Gaidica:
Hi, everyone. Chuck Gaidica here for A Healthier Michigan podcast. In the upcoming episodes, we’ll feature conversations from the Mackinac Policy Conference, which centers around the theme The Power of &. This theme encourages dialogue among speakers and attendees emphasizing the importance of an inclusive approach for Michigan’s policy solutions. By bridging divides and fostering nuanced thinking, the concept of The Power of & promotes unity, progress, and benefits across various sectors in the state. We’re continuing our conversations with conference attendees and hope you enjoy these bonus episodes.
On this episode, we’ll focus on the power of the past and present. We’ll talk with Detroit Historical Society president and CEO, Elana Rugh; Detroit Institute of Arts’ executive director, Public Affairs and Community Engagement, Julie McFarland; Detroit Zoo executive director and CEO, Hayley Murphy; Fair Lane: Home of Clara and Henry Ford President and CEO, Bob Bury; Michigan Science Center president and CEO, Christian Greer; The Henry Ford president and CEO, Patricia Mooradian; and the Detroit News editor and publisher, Gary Miles. First up is President and CEO of the Detroit Historical Society, Elana Rugh. Good to see you.
Hi, everyone. Chuck Gaidica here for A Healthier Michigan podcast. In the upcoming episodes, we’ll feature conversations from the Mackinac Policy Conference, which centers around the theme The Power of &. This theme encourages dialogue among speakers and attendees emphasizing the importance of an inclusive approach for Michigan’s policy solutions. By bridging divides and fostering nuanced thinking, the concept of The Power of & promotes unity, progress, and benefits across various sectors in the state. We’re continuing our conversations with conference attendees and hope you enjoy these bonus episodes.
On this episode, we’ll focus on the power of the past and present. We’ll talk with Detroit Historical Society president and CEO, Elana Rugh; Detroit Institute of Arts’ executive director, Public Affairs and Community Engagement, Julie McFarland; Detroit Zoo executive director and CEO, Hayley Murphy; Fair Lane: Home of Clara and Henry Ford President and CEO, Bob Bury; Michigan Science Center president and CEO, Christian Greer; The Henry Ford president and CEO, Patricia Mooradian; and the Detroit News editor and publisher, Gary Miles. First up is President and CEO of the Detroit Historical Society, Elana Rugh. Good to see you.
Elana Rugh:
Good to see you too, Chuck. Thanks for having me.
Good to see you too, Chuck. Thanks for having me.
Chuck Gaidica:
Are you enjoying the conference?
Are you enjoying the conference?
Elana Rugh:
It’s exhausting, but fabulous, right?
It’s exhausting, but fabulous, right?
Chuck Gaidica:
Is that just your walk up and down the hill or the whole conference?
Is that just your walk up and down the hill or the whole conference?
Elana Rugh:
Oh, I know. We’re getting our steps in. No, it has been actually a phenomenal week so far. I mean, I’m tired, but you are too.
Oh, I know. We’re getting our steps in. No, it has been actually a phenomenal week so far. I mean, I’m tired, but you are too.
Chuck Gaidica:
Well, that’s all right.
Well, that’s all right.
Elana Rugh:
We’ll get through it.
We’ll get through it.
Chuck Gaidica:
You’re right. It does give us a chance to work off that little piece of fudge or something here and there.
You’re right. It does give us a chance to work off that little piece of fudge or something here and there.
Elana Rugh:
It does, the ice cream from yesterday.
It does, the ice cream from yesterday.
Chuck Gaidica:
Just a couple of years ago, what a milestone for the Detroit Historical Society to celebrate 100 years of history, the history in the history place.
Just a couple of years ago, what a milestone for the Detroit Historical Society to celebrate 100 years of history, the history in the history place.
Elana Rugh:
Yeah, yeah, the history of the museum. It’s pretty remarkable. I’m really proud to be the first woman serving as CEO of the organization in its 100-year history. This was a fun thing that we took seriously though: How do you celebrate? But it’s really not about us. We’re the keeper of Detroit stories, but it’s really about everyone’s stories. Back in 1921 in December-
Yeah, yeah, the history of the museum. It’s pretty remarkable. I’m really proud to be the first woman serving as CEO of the organization in its 100-year history. This was a fun thing that we took seriously though: How do you celebrate? But it’s really not about us. We’re the keeper of Detroit stories, but it’s really about everyone’s stories. Back in 1921 in December-
Chuck Gaidica:
I remember. No, I-
I remember. No, I-
Elana Rugh:
Well, everyone knows the name Clarence Burton in Detroit. He was a local philanthropist and businessman, and he fancied himself a historian. He had collected a lot of papers and artifacts on the city of Detroit. So he sent an invitation out to what he called a group of congenial spirits to meet with him at the brand newly open Detroit Public Library on Woodward.
Well, everyone knows the name Clarence Burton in Detroit. He was a local philanthropist and businessman, and he fancied himself a historian. He had collected a lot of papers and artifacts on the city of Detroit. So he sent an invitation out to what he called a group of congenial spirits to meet with him at the brand newly open Detroit Public Library on Woodward.
Chuck Gaidica:
Wow.
Wow.
Elana Rugh:
They met there, and that was the beginnings of the Detroit Historical Society. So in 2021, we started to mark the celebration, but of course couldn’t really do it in the style that we wanted to, so we just continue to celebrate as long as we can-
They met there, and that was the beginnings of the Detroit Historical Society. So in 2021, we started to mark the celebration, but of course couldn’t really do it in the style that we wanted to, so we just continue to celebrate as long as we can-
Chuck Gaidica:
That’s okay.
That’s okay.
Elana Rugh:
… and people will have it.
… and people will have it.
Chuck Gaidica:
A long party is a good party, right?
A long party is a good party, right?
Elana Rugh:
It is. I know. I know, exactly.
It is. I know. I know, exactly.
Chuck Gaidica:
Well, it’s fascinating to me because, while I didn’t grow up in Detroit, I consider myself a Detroiter because I’ve been here 40 plus years.
Well, it’s fascinating to me because, while I didn’t grow up in Detroit, I consider myself a Detroiter because I’ve been here 40 plus years.
Elana Rugh:
Of course you are.
Of course you are.
Chuck Gaidica:
When I see this in writing, 100 years of history, and I think to myself, and this is just personal, it’s not bragging rights, I just think, “Well, I’ve got 40 years of that 100, or I’ve got 25 years of being in the Thanksgiving Day parade.” I look at these things and I just think it’s more than opportunity. It’s a blessing that I’ve been able to think about that in my own life. I’ve played some role in the history of Detroit just for my own thinking.
When I see this in writing, 100 years of history, and I think to myself, and this is just personal, it’s not bragging rights, I just think, “Well, I’ve got 40 years of that 100, or I’ve got 25 years of being in the Thanksgiving Day parade.” I look at these things and I just think it’s more than opportunity. It’s a blessing that I’ve been able to think about that in my own life. I’ve played some role in the history of Detroit just for my own thinking.
Elana Rugh:
You absolutely have. That’s true.
You absolutely have. That’s true.
Chuck Gaidica:
It’s just been a wonderful joy to think about. You have such a treasure that I’ve been able to visit personally and then also professionally, shooting backgrounds for documentary films, etc. As you look at this idea of preserving history, is it always ongoing because something from just a few years ago could become-
It’s just been a wonderful joy to think about. You have such a treasure that I’ve been able to visit personally and then also professionally, shooting backgrounds for documentary films, etc. As you look at this idea of preserving history, is it always ongoing because something from just a few years ago could become-
Elana Rugh:
Of course.
Of course.
Chuck Gaidica:
… something you want to keep?
… something you want to keep?
Elana Rugh:
People don’t think about that at all. It’s called contemporary collecting, and we and our team do it all the time. It’s everything from taking oral histories of people who are making news and history happening today to people who… Oh, we have a neighborhoods oral history project going on right now, trying to talk to some of the older folks who we’re going to lose and we’re going to lose their stories so that they can tell us about what it was like to grow up in the neighborhood that they lived in. So those things are important, but then also collecting artifacts. You don’t know what’s going to become important. We have a massive fashion collection, for example, which you wouldn’t think about. We have very few things of that out on display at any given moment. So what’s the stuff now that we should be collecting and preserving that 100 years from now people are going to look back and say, “They were what?”
People don’t think about that at all. It’s called contemporary collecting, and we and our team do it all the time. It’s everything from taking oral histories of people who are making news and history happening today to people who… Oh, we have a neighborhoods oral history project going on right now, trying to talk to some of the older folks who we’re going to lose and we’re going to lose their stories so that they can tell us about what it was like to grow up in the neighborhood that they lived in. So those things are important, but then also collecting artifacts. You don’t know what’s going to become important. We have a massive fashion collection, for example, which you wouldn’t think about. We have very few things of that out on display at any given moment. So what’s the stuff now that we should be collecting and preserving that 100 years from now people are going to look back and say, “They were what?”
Chuck Gaidica:
That was the Walkman of 2023, right?
That was the Walkman of 2023, right?
Elana Rugh:
Well, right. We have some of those, like early cell phones and things like that, which is funny, and fashion up through the ’90s, like ridiculous shoes and stuff, and the Madonna-style things. But it’s important, and especially now when you think about what happened with COVID and the Black Lives Matter movement, a lot happened in Detroit. So our team was out on the streets collecting posters and photographs and-
Well, right. We have some of those, like early cell phones and things like that, which is funny, and fashion up through the ’90s, like ridiculous shoes and stuff, and the Madonna-style things. But it’s important, and especially now when you think about what happened with COVID and the Black Lives Matter movement, a lot happened in Detroit. So our team was out on the streets collecting posters and photographs and-
Chuck Gaidica:
Interesting.
Interesting.
Elana Rugh:
… firsthand accounts from people who were participating in all of these activities. We’ve saved masks and different sorts of things. Because in a while, it’s going to be hard to believe that we ever lived through it. There was actually very little saved from the pandemic 100 years earlier.
… firsthand accounts from people who were participating in all of these activities. We’ve saved masks and different sorts of things. Because in a while, it’s going to be hard to believe that we ever lived through it. There was actually very little saved from the pandemic 100 years earlier.
Chuck Gaidica:
Well, that’s such an important thing. I’m going through it right now with my two siblings, because sadly, mom and dad passed away, lived in Warren, four years ago. We’ve got 10, minimally 10 boxes of letters and photographs.
Well, that’s such an important thing. I’m going through it right now with my two siblings, because sadly, mom and dad passed away, lived in Warren, four years ago. We’ve got 10, minimally 10 boxes of letters and photographs.
Elana Rugh:
Wow.
Wow.
Chuck Gaidica:
Sadly, again, many of them have no notation. So we’re starting to go through this stuff this month again. I’m looking at it thinking “If we just file it in the circular file, I don’t know who will come along, who will ever have an opportunity to see it unless we digitize it or something for my kids, their kids.” It’s one of those things where you’ve got to have some forward thinking, and it takes some work, no question.
Sadly, again, many of them have no notation. So we’re starting to go through this stuff this month again. I’m looking at it thinking “If we just file it in the circular file, I don’t know who will come along, who will ever have an opportunity to see it unless we digitize it or something for my kids, their kids.” It’s one of those things where you’ve got to have some forward thinking, and it takes some work, no question.
Elana Rugh:
It does.
It does.
Chuck Gaidica:
But we have to appreciate what the Historical Society is doing and forward thinking for what is tomorrow’s version of history.
But we have to appreciate what the Historical Society is doing and forward thinking for what is tomorrow’s version of history.
Elana Rugh:
Yeah, absolutely.
Yeah, absolutely.
Chuck Gaidica:
How many artifacts do you have that are not on display?
How many artifacts do you have that are not on display?
Elana Rugh:
Oh my gosh.
Oh my gosh.
Chuck Gaidica:
Where do you keep them?
Where do you keep them?
Elana Rugh:
Well, this is so cool. It’s one of the best kept secrets in Detroit. If you guys want to come out, I’ll take you there. We keep the city’s collection at historic Fort Wayne in a place we call the Collections Resource Center. You won’t be able to find it. There’s no logo outside. It’s an old military building like everything at Fort Wayne is. There are almost 300,000 artifacts that are stored there, and it is everything you can think of.
Well, this is so cool. It’s one of the best kept secrets in Detroit. If you guys want to come out, I’ll take you there. We keep the city’s collection at historic Fort Wayne in a place we call the Collections Resource Center. You won’t be able to find it. There’s no logo outside. It’s an old military building like everything at Fort Wayne is. There are almost 300,000 artifacts that are stored there, and it is everything you can think of.
Chuck Gaidica:
Wow.
Wow.
Elana Rugh:
What we’re most known for is our car collection. So if listeners want to Google the “bubble cars of Detroit,” you will see, we store them in inflatable bubbles so that they’re safe from birds and dust-
What we’re most known for is our car collection. So if listeners want to Google the “bubble cars of Detroit,” you will see, we store them in inflatable bubbles so that they’re safe from birds and dust-
Chuck Gaidica:
Interesting.
Interesting.
Elana Rugh:
… and things like that, little fans that keep them going. These aren’t the cars that you would think of. I mean, we have some amazing ones. We have a Stout Scarab, which is probably the most valuable thing in our entire collection, which is this fabulous old car. Only a couple of those were made. We have an early Mustang prototype, which is my favorite vehicle in our collection. Of course, you think about Model Ts and Model As and things like that. But we also have the first Pacer off the line and a minivan and Coleman Young’s limousine.
… and things like that, little fans that keep them going. These aren’t the cars that you would think of. I mean, we have some amazing ones. We have a Stout Scarab, which is probably the most valuable thing in our entire collection, which is this fabulous old car. Only a couple of those were made. We have an early Mustang prototype, which is my favorite vehicle in our collection. Of course, you think about Model Ts and Model As and things like that. But we also have the first Pacer off the line and a minivan and Coleman Young’s limousine.
Chuck Gaidica:
Very cool.
Very cool.
Elana Rugh:
So things that are important to the industry and to the era that they were in and that really will tell the story of that time period. So it’s not all sexy souped up cars, but they’re important nonetheless.
So things that are important to the industry and to the era that they were in and that really will tell the story of that time period. So it’s not all sexy souped up cars, but they’re important nonetheless.
Chuck Gaidica:
When you and the team look at creating a new exhibit, whether it’s fashion or cars, you have a resource to dip into-
When you and the team look at creating a new exhibit, whether it’s fashion or cars, you have a resource to dip into-
Elana Rugh:
We do.
We do.
Chuck Gaidica:
… that’s right here for you.
… that’s right here for you.
Elana Rugh:
Yeah, yeah. But we don’t always have everything we need, interestingly. Recently, in our Community Gallery, we told the story of the Wings ’97 Stanley Cup win. We found we didn’t have a lot of stuff, like 3D artifacts to share. So we crowdsourced. We sent word out on social media. People brought in their bobbleheads. We had a guy that brought in his tinfoil Stanley Cup, and it ended up being on display, and he got credit. They just loaned them to us, and hockey sticks and some jerseys that people had and stuff like that. So that’s really fun when the community can participate. We also did that with an exhibit that we still currently have going on, the history of Fisher Body. If you grew up in Detroit or lived here any period of time, someone you are related to worked at Fisher Body. So we had a reunion of sorts. People were bringing in employee ID badges and years of service pins. People are just really proud of that heritage.
Yeah, yeah. But we don’t always have everything we need, interestingly. Recently, in our Community Gallery, we told the story of the Wings ’97 Stanley Cup win. We found we didn’t have a lot of stuff, like 3D artifacts to share. So we crowdsourced. We sent word out on social media. People brought in their bobbleheads. We had a guy that brought in his tinfoil Stanley Cup, and it ended up being on display, and he got credit. They just loaned them to us, and hockey sticks and some jerseys that people had and stuff like that. So that’s really fun when the community can participate. We also did that with an exhibit that we still currently have going on, the history of Fisher Body. If you grew up in Detroit or lived here any period of time, someone you are related to worked at Fisher Body. So we had a reunion of sorts. People were bringing in employee ID badges and years of service pins. People are just really proud of that heritage.
Chuck Gaidica:
I shot some of the film for my friend, Keith Famie, the documentarian, in that area with the Cadillac, right?
I shot some of the film for my friend, Keith Famie, the documentarian, in that area with the Cadillac, right?
Elana Rugh:
Right.
Right.
Chuck Gaidica:
I grew up… I was the detail kid for my dad who used to make a few bucks on the side selling older, used Cadillacs.
I grew up… I was the detail kid for my dad who used to make a few bucks on the side selling older, used Cadillacs.
Elana Rugh:
Oh, that’s so cool.
Oh, that’s so cool.
Chuck Gaidica:
He flipped them, but then he’d throw me the key. So I started driving around the block to the alley to wash it and detail it when I was like, well, 12. Don’t tell anybody.
He flipped them, but then he’d throw me the key. So I started driving around the block to the alley to wash it and detail it when I was like, well, 12. Don’t tell anybody.
Elana Rugh:
Oh, that’s great.
Oh, that’s great.
Chuck Gaidica:
For me, it became then the love affair with cars where I can spot a taillight of a Cadillac-
For me, it became then the love affair with cars where I can spot a taillight of a Cadillac-
Elana Rugh:
And you know what it is.
And you know what it is.
Chuck Gaidica:
… and I can tell you what year it is. So for me to be in that-
… and I can tell you what year it is. So for me to be in that-
Elana Rugh:
Oh, you are so a Detroiter.
Oh, you are so a Detroiter.
Chuck Gaidica:
… design space is just an amazing thing for me.
… design space is just an amazing thing for me.
Elana Rugh:
Yeah, yeah, it is.
Yeah, yeah, it is.
Chuck Gaidica:
As you look forward to the next 100 years, with all that you see going on now, what are the challenges for you and where do you see the opportunities?
As you look forward to the next 100 years, with all that you see going on now, what are the challenges for you and where do you see the opportunities?
Elana Rugh:
We take that really seriously, and we talk about it every day. It’s not just about the collecting. It is how we’re positioning ourselves to be able to tell Detroit stories into the future. It really is about equity and inclusivity. When the Detroit Historical Museum opened in 1951, Detroit looked very different than it does today. We aren’t just the keeper of some people’s stories. Our job is to keep all the stories of all the people who live in metro Detroit.
It’s not just focused on the city. There are so many groups of people. Obviously, we need to do a better job. We’re working very hard to partner with the African American community to tell the rich history there, but it’s also the Asian American community and the Native American community and the Arab American community and Jewish. And it doesn’t end. It’s hard because we only have so much space, but that’s one of the reasons that our Community Gallery is so popular. Every three months we tell a different story of a community organization. Right now, our team is installing, as we speak, the Soul of Philanthropy, which is a traveling exhibit that talks about the generosity of the Black community across the country. There is a portion of it, 90 portraits of Detroiters-
We take that really seriously, and we talk about it every day. It’s not just about the collecting. It is how we’re positioning ourselves to be able to tell Detroit stories into the future. It really is about equity and inclusivity. When the Detroit Historical Museum opened in 1951, Detroit looked very different than it does today. We aren’t just the keeper of some people’s stories. Our job is to keep all the stories of all the people who live in metro Detroit.
It’s not just focused on the city. There are so many groups of people. Obviously, we need to do a better job. We’re working very hard to partner with the African American community to tell the rich history there, but it’s also the Asian American community and the Native American community and the Arab American community and Jewish. And it doesn’t end. It’s hard because we only have so much space, but that’s one of the reasons that our Community Gallery is so popular. Every three months we tell a different story of a community organization. Right now, our team is installing, as we speak, the Soul of Philanthropy, which is a traveling exhibit that talks about the generosity of the Black community across the country. There is a portion of it, 90 portraits of Detroiters-
Chuck Gaidica:
Wow.
Wow.
Elana Rugh:
… that is a sister exhibit with that that’s going up now that’s called Detroit Gives Black. We have so many philanthropic people, you could never highlight everyone. So our work to bring people in and have everyone understand that this is your museum. It doesn’t matter who you are. Sometimes people look at museums and they think, “Well, that’s not for me,” or, “You don’t tell my story.” That’s really what we’re focused on is, how can people really feel like they belong and that we’re their museum as well?
… that is a sister exhibit with that that’s going up now that’s called Detroit Gives Black. We have so many philanthropic people, you could never highlight everyone. So our work to bring people in and have everyone understand that this is your museum. It doesn’t matter who you are. Sometimes people look at museums and they think, “Well, that’s not for me,” or, “You don’t tell my story.” That’s really what we’re focused on is, how can people really feel like they belong and that we’re their museum as well?
Chuck Gaidica:
Well, that’s great to know. I love this idea of getting stories from neighborhoods and from the grandmas and grandpas. Because back in the day, I grew up, and probably yourself, and still to this day, some of the greatest, richest, fulfilling stories is to hear from somebody’s front porch. We used to share those as neighbors, and that’s how you got to know your community.
Well, that’s great to know. I love this idea of getting stories from neighborhoods and from the grandmas and grandpas. Because back in the day, I grew up, and probably yourself, and still to this day, some of the greatest, richest, fulfilling stories is to hear from somebody’s front porch. We used to share those as neighbors, and that’s how you got to know your community.
Elana Rugh:
Exactly.
Exactly.
Chuck Gaidica:
So to preserve those is a real treasure.
So to preserve those is a real treasure.
Elana Rugh:
You said you recently lost your parents. I lost my dad in January. He was 97. He grew up in Detroit.
You said you recently lost your parents. I lost my dad in January. He was 97. He grew up in Detroit.
Chuck Gaidica:
Oh, sorry to hear that.
Oh, sorry to hear that.
Elana Rugh:
We were fortunate, he was right with us to the end. He was a great storyteller, and we captured a lot of that. So I think about that in my work of how we just can’t lose it.
We were fortunate, he was right with us to the end. He was a great storyteller, and we captured a lot of that. So I think about that in my work of how we just can’t lose it.
Chuck Gaidica:
Well, I hope I get together to see you every couple years for the next 100. Then we’ll be able to celebrate other milestones.
Well, I hope I get together to see you every couple years for the next 100. Then we’ll be able to celebrate other milestones.
Elana Rugh:
That sounds great.
That sounds great.
Chuck Gaidica:
Good to have you with us, Elana Rugh.
Good to have you with us, Elana Rugh.
Elana Rugh:
Thank you so much.
Thank you so much.
Chuck Gaidica:
Thank you.
Thank you.
Elana Rugh:
It’s been great to be here.
It’s been great to be here.
Chuck Gaidica:
President and CEO of the Detroit Historical Society, take good care.
President and CEO of the Detroit Historical Society, take good care.
Elana Rugh:
Thank you.
Thank you.
Chuck Gaidica:
Thanks. Next up is Executive Director, Public Affairs and Community Engagement of the Detroit Institute of Arts, Julie McFarland. We’re going to be talking about Art. Julie McFarland, executive director of the Detroit Institute of Arts, and Judith Dolkart, who’s the deputy director there. You are both in such great stead right now because it comes out USA Today names the DIA as the number one art museum in the nation. Congratulations.
Thanks. Next up is Executive Director, Public Affairs and Community Engagement of the Detroit Institute of Arts, Julie McFarland. We’re going to be talking about Art. Julie McFarland, executive director of the Detroit Institute of Arts, and Judith Dolkart, who’s the deputy director there. You are both in such great stead right now because it comes out USA Today names the DIA as the number one art museum in the nation. Congratulations.
Julie McFarland:
Well, thank you.
Well, thank you.
Chuck Gaidica:
We should have applause, but I don’t have an audience of many, but we have a few.
We should have applause, but I don’t have an audience of many, but we have a few.
Julie McFarland:
Thank you, and thank you for having us here today.
Thank you, and thank you for having us here today.
Chuck Gaidica:
We’re glad you’re here.
We’re glad you’re here.
Julie McFarland:
We’re super excited about winning this award from USA Today. It’s a really big honor for the Detroit Institute of Arts. We’d like to say it’s really a recognition of the team effort. The hard work of the museum staff, volunteers, supporters have really put so much into making the museum the best museum in the country. I never want to miss the opportunity to thank the residents of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties. Without their millage support, we would be a very different museum. So we share this honor with everyone in the region who supports the museum.
We’re super excited about winning this award from USA Today. It’s a really big honor for the Detroit Institute of Arts. We’d like to say it’s really a recognition of the team effort. The hard work of the museum staff, volunteers, supporters have really put so much into making the museum the best museum in the country. I never want to miss the opportunity to thank the residents of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties. Without their millage support, we would be a very different museum. So we share this honor with everyone in the region who supports the museum.
Chuck Gaidica:
While that’s true, and I’m one of those people in the region that supports the effort, this recent Van Gogh exhibit attracted people from not just the region, but from across the country, right?
While that’s true, and I’m one of those people in the region that supports the effort, this recent Van Gogh exhibit attracted people from not just the region, but from across the country, right?
Julie McFarland:
Yeah. Our Van Gogh in America exhibition really exceeded our wildest expectations. We had 74 paintings by Vincent Van Gogh, including the five that are in our permanent collection and featuring the first Van Gogh purchased by a museum in North America. So we were super excited. We had over 239,000 people come through the museum in the four-month run of that show. They not only came from Michigan, but they came from all over the country and all over the world. That exhibition was an experience that you could only have at the DIA. So we were really happy to be able to offer a once-in-a-lifetime exhibition, and we continue to bring exhibitions that you can only see at the DIA.
Yeah. Our Van Gogh in America exhibition really exceeded our wildest expectations. We had 74 paintings by Vincent Van Gogh, including the five that are in our permanent collection and featuring the first Van Gogh purchased by a museum in North America. So we were super excited. We had over 239,000 people come through the museum in the four-month run of that show. They not only came from Michigan, but they came from all over the country and all over the world. That exhibition was an experience that you could only have at the DIA. So we were really happy to be able to offer a once-in-a-lifetime exhibition, and we continue to bring exhibitions that you can only see at the DIA.
Chuck Gaidica:
Judith, you’re here. Chat a little bit about a new exhibition that’s coming, and then there are more in the pipeline that you’re able to share.
Judith, you’re here. Chat a little bit about a new exhibition that’s coming, and then there are more in the pipeline that you’re able to share.
Judith Dolkart:
We just actually opened an exhibition called James Barnor: Accra/London. It’s a retrospective of the work of an amazing photographer who is in his 90s now. He had an interesting career in that he did documentary photography, fashion photography, portraiture, a very unusual range for a photographer. He charted the independence of Ghana from British rule-
We just actually opened an exhibition called James Barnor: Accra/London. It’s a retrospective of the work of an amazing photographer who is in his 90s now. He had an interesting career in that he did documentary photography, fashion photography, portraiture, a very unusual range for a photographer. He charted the independence of Ghana from British rule-
Chuck Gaidica:
Wow.
Wow.
Judith Dolkart:
… and then went on to London and captured the diasporic experience for Africans. Then returned to Ghana and introduced color photography back into the country. So it’s an amazing exhibition. It’s free to the public. It’s on until October 15th of this year, so a long run. Come see it several times. There’s so much to see. Then, following that, in the winter, in February of 2024, we will have an exhibition called Regeneration. It explores Black cinema in the United States from the 1890s to the 1970s and looks at filmmakers both within the studio environment and outside of it. It includes a lot of film, posters, memorabilia, but also contemporary art that touches on those themes. I think that exhibition and the Barnor Show and one further upcoming all synchronize nicely with The Power of &, this year’s theme, because it is all about inclusivity and telling everyone’s stories, so from Van Gogh to Africa. Then the final show that I mentioned is called Dining with the Sultan. It looks at feasting activities and practices in the Islamic world, which from the 8th century to the present across three continents.
… and then went on to London and captured the diasporic experience for Africans. Then returned to Ghana and introduced color photography back into the country. So it’s an amazing exhibition. It’s free to the public. It’s on until October 15th of this year, so a long run. Come see it several times. There’s so much to see. Then, following that, in the winter, in February of 2024, we will have an exhibition called Regeneration. It explores Black cinema in the United States from the 1890s to the 1970s and looks at filmmakers both within the studio environment and outside of it. It includes a lot of film, posters, memorabilia, but also contemporary art that touches on those themes. I think that exhibition and the Barnor Show and one further upcoming all synchronize nicely with The Power of &, this year’s theme, because it is all about inclusivity and telling everyone’s stories, so from Van Gogh to Africa. Then the final show that I mentioned is called Dining with the Sultan. It looks at feasting activities and practices in the Islamic world, which from the 8th century to the present across three continents.
Chuck Gaidica:
How is that captured? How do you present an exhibit like that?
How is that captured? How do you present an exhibit like that?
Judith Dolkart:
Well, it’ll have a lot of objects used in feasting-
Well, it’ll have a lot of objects used in feasting-
Chuck Gaidica:
I see.
I see.
Judith Dolkart:
… some from our own collection and some from around the world, as well as contemporary art that looks at feasting practices today. It’s a wonderful way, again, to show what our neighbors in the region, their practices, festivities, and give us an insight into them and allow us to share them.
… some from our own collection and some from around the world, as well as contemporary art that looks at feasting practices today. It’s a wonderful way, again, to show what our neighbors in the region, their practices, festivities, and give us an insight into them and allow us to share them.
Chuck Gaidica:
The richness of the tapestry of what happens and what’s presented at the DIA, I think, is often lost, I’ll just speak for myself, on the attractiveness of things that are so varied. We tend to think maybe single-mindedly about, “Well, there’s going to be a Van Gogh exhibit, and obviously that’s got a single artist.” But at the same time I’m thinking, “Well, it’s all about paintings.” Not really. There’s so much more that’s happening at the DIA at all times.
The richness of the tapestry of what happens and what’s presented at the DIA, I think, is often lost, I’ll just speak for myself, on the attractiveness of things that are so varied. We tend to think maybe single-mindedly about, “Well, there’s going to be a Van Gogh exhibit, and obviously that’s got a single artist.” But at the same time I’m thinking, “Well, it’s all about paintings.” Not really. There’s so much more that’s happening at the DIA at all times.
Judith Dolkart:
The museum is what we call an encyclopedic museum. It runs from ancient Egypt to the present. It shows all of the complexity and beauty of those cultures, and especially the universal human desire to create.
The museum is what we call an encyclopedic museum. It runs from ancient Egypt to the present. It shows all of the complexity and beauty of those cultures, and especially the universal human desire to create.
Julie McFarland:
Not only in the museum, but in the community. I think you mentioned earlier that you noticed our Inside|Out installations. We have a few of them right up here on the island for everyone in the state of Michigan to enjoy and help people understand what’s available at the museum and get a little glimpse of our collection. We’re hoping that that prompts people to come down to the museum. Because of the millage support we get from the Tri-counties, admission to the museum is free if you’re a resident of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties. We also do community partnership programs with Inside|Out in the community. We are all over the Tri-County area right now with Inside|Out. These are reproductions from the collection.
We have an application process. That application for next year will be opening pretty soon. So if you’re a community, if you see it in your neighboring community and you want it in yours, keep in touch with us. The application should be out in about a month. But for the current communities, they have a say in helping to select the art artwork and deciding where that artwork is going to go in their community. They may want to highlight specific areas. We’re in Johnson Nature Center in Bloomfield Township this year, which is really lovely to be along the trail right into downtown. We’re in southwest Detroit this year. We redid our labels this year just to make sure that everyone understands what some of their millage benefits are. We did bilingual labels in southwest Detroit just to help to make the collection and the museum more accessible to everyone in the Tri-county area.
Not only in the museum, but in the community. I think you mentioned earlier that you noticed our Inside|Out installations. We have a few of them right up here on the island for everyone in the state of Michigan to enjoy and help people understand what’s available at the museum and get a little glimpse of our collection. We’re hoping that that prompts people to come down to the museum. Because of the millage support we get from the Tri-counties, admission to the museum is free if you’re a resident of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties. We also do community partnership programs with Inside|Out in the community. We are all over the Tri-County area right now with Inside|Out. These are reproductions from the collection.
We have an application process. That application for next year will be opening pretty soon. So if you’re a community, if you see it in your neighboring community and you want it in yours, keep in touch with us. The application should be out in about a month. But for the current communities, they have a say in helping to select the art artwork and deciding where that artwork is going to go in their community. They may want to highlight specific areas. We’re in Johnson Nature Center in Bloomfield Township this year, which is really lovely to be along the trail right into downtown. We’re in southwest Detroit this year. We redid our labels this year just to make sure that everyone understands what some of their millage benefits are. We did bilingual labels in southwest Detroit just to help to make the collection and the museum more accessible to everyone in the Tri-county area.
Chuck Gaidica:
Well, from my walk from here, from the Grand Hotel down the hill, and I’m stopping, and then I crossed over the night before, and I’m looking at these works of art. To see a work of art exposed to the elements is one thing. That catches my eye, and then to see the Straits of Mackinac or the Grand Hotel behind it. So you’re surrounded by grand works of art. To see something that’s… It’s not hanging. There’s no wall, but it’s on a post. It’s just fascinating, this in-and-out idea to bring this art into nature. I just really appreciated it, because I stopped and I’m trying to read what’s going on, who’s the artist? It isn’t just because I’m a lifelong learner and a geek. I just was really taken back by the beauty of this amongst the beauty of Mackinac Island.
Well, from my walk from here, from the Grand Hotel down the hill, and I’m stopping, and then I crossed over the night before, and I’m looking at these works of art. To see a work of art exposed to the elements is one thing. That catches my eye, and then to see the Straits of Mackinac or the Grand Hotel behind it. So you’re surrounded by grand works of art. To see something that’s… It’s not hanging. There’s no wall, but it’s on a post. It’s just fascinating, this in-and-out idea to bring this art into nature. I just really appreciated it, because I stopped and I’m trying to read what’s going on, who’s the artist? It isn’t just because I’m a lifelong learner and a geek. I just was really taken back by the beauty of this amongst the beauty of Mackinac Island.
Judith Dolkart:
Well, I think a lot of artists try to capture the beauty of nature, and you see that in the work. So the marriage of nature and culture is what we’re after.
Well, I think a lot of artists try to capture the beauty of nature, and you see that in the work. So the marriage of nature and culture is what we’re after.
Chuck Gaidica:
Beyond the great exhibits you’re talking about that are coming down the pipeline, what do you have as a vision for continued growth and engagement in the community?
Beyond the great exhibits you’re talking about that are coming down the pipeline, what do you have as a vision for continued growth and engagement in the community?
Julie McFarland:
We’re going to continue to work with partners in the community. We have partnerships with all three community colleges in the three counties, so we’re going to continue to build those partnerships out. Certainly, COVID sort of set some of the work back. We do have a K-12 school program where we bring school kids down to the museum for field trips. We pay for the buses if they’re Tri-county schools. We’re going to continue that program. But we’re really kind of listening to educators right now, helping us understand what their needs are. We may be expanding that program in different ways to meet their needs. If they can’t come to the museum, we may be looking at ways to bring some of the DIA experience to the classroom.
We also have a senior program. We bring Tri-county senior groups to the museum for tours. We have heard that they love coming to the museum, but they want to experience something different. They want to come every couple months. So we’re going to be looking at adding music programming so they can take a bus trip down to the museum. This will really help with some of our seniors who may not have the same mobility-
We’re going to continue to work with partners in the community. We have partnerships with all three community colleges in the three counties, so we’re going to continue to build those partnerships out. Certainly, COVID sort of set some of the work back. We do have a K-12 school program where we bring school kids down to the museum for field trips. We pay for the buses if they’re Tri-county schools. We’re going to continue that program. But we’re really kind of listening to educators right now, helping us understand what their needs are. We may be expanding that program in different ways to meet their needs. If they can’t come to the museum, we may be looking at ways to bring some of the DIA experience to the classroom.
We also have a senior program. We bring Tri-county senior groups to the museum for tours. We have heard that they love coming to the museum, but they want to experience something different. They want to come every couple months. So we’re going to be looking at adding music programming so they can take a bus trip down to the museum. This will really help with some of our seniors who may not have the same mobility-
Chuck Gaidica:
I see.
I see.
Julie McFarland:
… to be able to tour the museum. So we’re really looking at the programs and figuring out what’s the next step, and really trying to listen to the community and make sure that whatever we’re putting together is really reflective of the needs.
… to be able to tour the museum. So we’re really looking at the programs and figuring out what’s the next step, and really trying to listen to the community and make sure that whatever we’re putting together is really reflective of the needs.
Chuck Gaidica:
Well, congratulations again on being named number one art museum in the nation. What a great triumph that is. We’re glad you had a chance to drop by and say hello. Julie McFarland, executive director of the Detroit Institute of Arts, and Judith Dolkart, who’s the deputy director there. They all wear so many hats. There are lots of other parts of the title. We’re glad you were here today. Take good care.
Well, congratulations again on being named number one art museum in the nation. What a great triumph that is. We’re glad you had a chance to drop by and say hello. Julie McFarland, executive director of the Detroit Institute of Arts, and Judith Dolkart, who’s the deputy director there. They all wear so many hats. There are lots of other parts of the title. We’re glad you were here today. Take good care.
Judith Dolkart:
Thank you so much.
Thank you so much.
Julie McFarland:
Thank you so much.
Thank you so much.
Chuck Gaidica:
Thanks. Now is executive director and CEO of the Detroit Zoological Society, Detroit Zoo, Hayley Murphy. Good to see you.
Thanks. Now is executive director and CEO of the Detroit Zoological Society, Detroit Zoo, Hayley Murphy. Good to see you.
Hayley Murphy:
Thank you. Great to be here.
Thank you. Great to be here.
Chuck Gaidica:
Isn’t this beautiful?
Isn’t this beautiful?
Hayley Murphy:
I can’t get over the weather. It’s amazing.
I can’t get over the weather. It’s amazing.
Chuck Gaidica:
A little natural air conditioning is blown in here compared to where we got, what, it was almost 90.
A little natural air conditioning is blown in here compared to where we got, what, it was almost 90.
Hayley Murphy:
Yeah, it’s beautiful. It’s beautiful.
Yeah, it’s beautiful. It’s beautiful.
Chuck Gaidica:
You celebrated Earth Month, and you had an annual GreenFest. Can you talk about that a little bit? What is GreenFest?
You celebrated Earth Month, and you had an annual GreenFest. Can you talk about that a little bit? What is GreenFest?
Hayley Murphy:
It’s just really a celebration of the Earth and the sustainability challenges that we all have. It’s a chance to welcome the community. We do vegan and vegetarian meals, live music, a festival-type atmosphere. Really teaching our community about the sustainability efforts both at the zoo and how important it is to live a green life for the planet.
It’s just really a celebration of the Earth and the sustainability challenges that we all have. It’s a chance to welcome the community. We do vegan and vegetarian meals, live music, a festival-type atmosphere. Really teaching our community about the sustainability efforts both at the zoo and how important it is to live a green life for the planet.
Chuck Gaidica:
When you talk about that, it’s an interesting issue coming out of the Detroit Zoo because so many animals across the world are impacted by… go figure it out, right?
When you talk about that, it’s an interesting issue coming out of the Detroit Zoo because so many animals across the world are impacted by… go figure it out, right?
Hayley Murphy:
Right, everything.
Right, everything.
Chuck Gaidica:
Continents full of trash that are floating in the oceans. It’s just interesting that that’s something that’s kind of sticking with you at the Detroit Zoo because it’s an important topic.
Continents full of trash that are floating in the oceans. It’s just interesting that that’s something that’s kind of sticking with you at the Detroit Zoo because it’s an important topic.
Hayley Murphy:
The Detroit Zoo has really been a leader in sustainability through zoo operations, but also in community impacts. So we have what we call our Greenprint, which is our roadmap really to live a more sustainable future. Obviously, we care about animals, but we also care about the community that the animals live in. So we’re really looking at, if animals thrive, that means people are thriving, and the world’s going to thrive. So how can we both mitigate our impact on the environment as an organization, but also help our community mitigate their impacts?
The Detroit Zoo has really been a leader in sustainability through zoo operations, but also in community impacts. So we have what we call our Greenprint, which is our roadmap really to live a more sustainable future. Obviously, we care about animals, but we also care about the community that the animals live in. So we’re really looking at, if animals thrive, that means people are thriving, and the world’s going to thrive. So how can we both mitigate our impact on the environment as an organization, but also help our community mitigate their impacts?
Chuck Gaidica:
Another off-ramp to that was electronic recycling, which is just an interesting thing because how many of us deal with that potential issue and landfill waste then.
Another off-ramp to that was electronic recycling, which is just an interesting thing because how many of us deal with that potential issue and landfill waste then.
Hayley Murphy:
Yes. We’re trying to divert all those e-devices you have, which everybody has so many nowadays, from those landfills. We had 600 carloads-
Yes. We’re trying to divert all those e-devices you have, which everybody has so many nowadays, from those landfills. We had 600 carloads-
Chuck Gaidica:
Wow.
Wow.
Hayley Murphy:
… of electronics that we diverted from the landfills and recycled responsibly. We hold this event one to two times a year. The cars all line up, trucks line up. It’s amazing what people accumulate. We’re so thankful they’re not throwing it away, and they’re bringing it to us instead of just putting it in the trash, because that’s really harmful for the environment.
… of electronics that we diverted from the landfills and recycled responsibly. We hold this event one to two times a year. The cars all line up, trucks line up. It’s amazing what people accumulate. We’re so thankful they’re not throwing it away, and they’re bringing it to us instead of just putting it in the trash, because that’s really harmful for the environment.
Chuck Gaidica:
Beyond GreenFest, what other initiatives do you have that you want to talk about at the Detroit Zoo?
Beyond GreenFest, what other initiatives do you have that you want to talk about at the Detroit Zoo?
Hayley Murphy:
Well, we’re doing a lot with our infrastructure. Our water infrastructure, we’re trying to get to net zero water, which means we don’t want to put water into the combined sewer system. So we’re doing things like permeable pavers. We’re looking at what’s under the ground. Our pipes are 95 years old-
Well, we’re doing a lot with our infrastructure. Our water infrastructure, we’re trying to get to net zero water, which means we don’t want to put water into the combined sewer system. So we’re doing things like permeable pavers. We’re looking at what’s under the ground. Our pipes are 95 years old-
Chuck Gaidica:
Wow.
Wow.
Hayley Murphy:
… under the zoo. The zoo will be 95 in August. So we’re looking at repairing all those pipes and diverting them from the sewer system so that we can have a cleaner watershed. And we’re looking at reusing our water. So when we get to net zero, we’ll have all of the water collected on site, will be recycled on site. So that’s a huge initiative we’re undergoing right now with massive planning for infrastructure changes. We’re also doing a lot of electronic EV vehicles in our fleets, EV chargers. We do solar and wind power in the zoo. And we have an anaerobic digester, which is really cool.
… under the zoo. The zoo will be 95 in August. So we’re looking at repairing all those pipes and diverting them from the sewer system so that we can have a cleaner watershed. And we’re looking at reusing our water. So when we get to net zero, we’ll have all of the water collected on site, will be recycled on site. So that’s a huge initiative we’re undergoing right now with massive planning for infrastructure changes. We’re also doing a lot of electronic EV vehicles in our fleets, EV chargers. We do solar and wind power in the zoo. And we have an anaerobic digester, which is really cool.
Chuck Gaidica:
Wait a minute. What?
Wait a minute. What?
Hayley Murphy:
We take the poop from our herbivores. We put it through this digester, and that creates energy to power our animal hospital.
We take the poop from our herbivores. We put it through this digester, and that creates energy to power our animal hospital.
Chuck Gaidica:
No kidding?
No kidding?
Hayley Murphy:
Yeah. We’re trying to get as much off the grid as we can.
Yeah. We’re trying to get as much off the grid as we can.
Chuck Gaidica:
This recyclability of water on site, I’ve seen this at work. I’m trying to think… Oh, I attended a weekend conference out in California at Pepperdine. If somebody has to go to Malibu… I went for three days. So I don’t know how kids go-
This recyclability of water on site, I’ve seen this at work. I’m trying to think… Oh, I attended a weekend conference out in California at Pepperdine. If somebody has to go to Malibu… I went for three days. So I don’t know how kids go-
Hayley Murphy:
You sacrificed?
You sacrificed?
Chuck Gaidica:
Yeah, I sacrificed. I don’t know how kids go to school there all the time. They recycle all of the gray water on campus.
Yeah, I sacrificed. I don’t know how kids go to school there all the time. They recycle all of the gray water on campus.
Hayley Murphy:
Exactly.
Exactly.
Chuck Gaidica:
Then they water the lawns with it.
Then they water the lawns with it.
Hayley Murphy:
Exactly.
Exactly.
Chuck Gaidica:
I thought, how brilliant is that idea?
I thought, how brilliant is that idea?
Hayley Murphy:
That’s what we’re doing too.
That’s what we’re doing too.
Chuck Gaidica:
Are you? Okay.
Are you? Okay.
Hayley Murphy:
Yep. We eliminated single-use plastic, so no plastic bags in our gift shops, no water bottles. Really trying to lead the way in impact. We bring in a lot of people through our gates, over a million people a year. If we can have any kind of impact, we’re going to try and do that, ignite positive change. So that’s what we’re all about.
Yep. We eliminated single-use plastic, so no plastic bags in our gift shops, no water bottles. Really trying to lead the way in impact. We bring in a lot of people through our gates, over a million people a year. If we can have any kind of impact, we’re going to try and do that, ignite positive change. So that’s what we’re all about.
Chuck Gaidica:
Down to the individual level, how can we all participate in some of these sustainable ideas or other events that are coming up at the zoo?
Down to the individual level, how can we all participate in some of these sustainable ideas or other events that are coming up at the zoo?
Hayley Murphy:
Well, we’re just finishing out our month of Party For The Planet, which is in combination with other AZA accredited zoos, the biggest impactful party for the planet celebration in North America. We all get together, all the zoos and aquariums, and host different events in the month of June. Coming up, we have our Celebrating Clean Oceans Day. World Ocean Day is coming up on June 10th. Really, at home, think about your trash, think about recycling, composting, really avoiding that e-waste because that all contributes. So any little thing you can do, it all adds up if you think about all the people on the globe.
Well, we’re just finishing out our month of Party For The Planet, which is in combination with other AZA accredited zoos, the biggest impactful party for the planet celebration in North America. We all get together, all the zoos and aquariums, and host different events in the month of June. Coming up, we have our Celebrating Clean Oceans Day. World Ocean Day is coming up on June 10th. Really, at home, think about your trash, think about recycling, composting, really avoiding that e-waste because that all contributes. So any little thing you can do, it all adds up if you think about all the people on the globe.
Chuck Gaidica:
As you look forward, is there any other particular effort that you want to touch on that’s near term or future?
As you look forward, is there any other particular effort that you want to touch on that’s near term or future?
Hayley Murphy:
Really, we’re all about educating the people in our community, too. I always say it’s hard to save the world if you’re not starting with your backyard. So we’re really trying to create those connections, create those meaningful connections so people, animals, and the natural world can thrive together. So when we’re dealing with our infrastructure, it’s helping all the downstream infrastructure. Because we’re 125 acres. We have a lot of water. That’s our first big initiative after the single-use plastics. Then after that, we’re looking at doing a brand new kid zone, so a place that kids can come and learn about the environment and learn how much they matter in the future of the planet.
Really, we’re all about educating the people in our community, too. I always say it’s hard to save the world if you’re not starting with your backyard. So we’re really trying to create those connections, create those meaningful connections so people, animals, and the natural world can thrive together. So when we’re dealing with our infrastructure, it’s helping all the downstream infrastructure. Because we’re 125 acres. We have a lot of water. That’s our first big initiative after the single-use plastics. Then after that, we’re looking at doing a brand new kid zone, so a place that kids can come and learn about the environment and learn how much they matter in the future of the planet.
Chuck Gaidica:
Well, that’s encouraging, number one, because it is, number two, because I’ve got three granddaughters-
Well, that’s encouraging, number one, because it is, number two, because I’ve got three granddaughters-
Hayley Murphy:
Oh, good.
Oh, good.
Chuck Gaidica:
… and family right across Woodward, and they’re at the zoo all the time.
… and family right across Woodward, and they’re at the zoo all the time.
Hayley Murphy:
Awesome. Well, they’re going to love the new kid zone, seven acres of fun.
Awesome. Well, they’re going to love the new kid zone, seven acres of fun.
Chuck Gaidica:
I have to thank you on behalf of Alzheimer’s Association. I’ll be there again this fall-
I have to thank you on behalf of Alzheimer’s Association. I’ll be there again this fall-
Hayley Murphy:
Oh, good.
Oh, good.
Chuck Gaidica:
… so opening the gates to having an event where thousands of people can come. My mom sadly suffered from it-
… so opening the gates to having an event where thousands of people can come. My mom sadly suffered from it-
Hayley Murphy:
Oh, I’m sorry.
Oh, I’m sorry.
Chuck Gaidica:
… and my wife’s dad with dementia, so it’s an important topic for me to help with. But to be at the zoo every year, even going through some of COVID, I just want to thank you on behalf of everybody-
… and my wife’s dad with dementia, so it’s an important topic for me to help with. But to be at the zoo every year, even going through some of COVID, I just want to thank you on behalf of everybody-
Hayley Murphy:
I’m glad we could do that.
I’m glad we could do that.
Chuck Gaidica:
… who’s been touched by it.
… who’s been touched by it.
Hayley Murphy:
Yes, it’s very impactful, and I’m glad we can help out any way we can.
Yes, it’s very impactful, and I’m glad we can help out any way we can.
Chuck Gaidica:
Good. Well, nice to see you.
Good. Well, nice to see you.
Hayley Murphy:
Yeah, you too.
Yeah, you too.
Chuck Gaidica:
Thanks for dropping by. Hayley Murphy, who’s the executive director and CEO of the Detroit Zoological Society. Take good care.
Thanks for dropping by. Hayley Murphy, who’s the executive director and CEO of the Detroit Zoological Society. Take good care.
Hayley Murphy:
Thanks. You too.
Thanks. You too.
Chuck Gaidica:
Next is president and CEO of Fair Lane: Home of Clara and Henry Ford, Bob Bury. Good to see you.
Next is president and CEO of Fair Lane: Home of Clara and Henry Ford, Bob Bury. Good to see you.
Bob Bury:
Great to see you, Chuck.
Great to see you, Chuck.
Chuck Gaidica:
We got a chance to hang out a little bit yesterday and saw the horses.
We got a chance to hang out a little bit yesterday and saw the horses.
Bob Bury:
Think I’ve known you for quite a few years.
Think I’ve known you for quite a few years.
Chuck Gaidica:
Yeah. Well, this is an exciting time. What you’ve got going on is a cleaning and refinishing project. I’ve done some of this at my parents’ home, which was my grandma’s house. I saw you’re starting on a really interesting project of refinishing the woodwork, is that right, in the first and second levels of this house.
Yeah. Well, this is an exciting time. What you’ve got going on is a cleaning and refinishing project. I’ve done some of this at my parents’ home, which was my grandma’s house. I saw you’re starting on a really interesting project of refinishing the woodwork, is that right, in the first and second levels of this house.
Bob Bury:
That’s a bit of an understatement. It’s not refinishing like you and I might do it at home. Fair Lane is the last and final home of Clara and Henry Ford. When Clara passed away in the mid 1950s, Ford Motor Company generously gave it to the University of Michigan. That’s where the U of M Dearborn was established. About 10 years, we reacquired the home because we just came to the recognition that this is a really important story, really important two people in the world, and you need to preserve and protect that legacy.
That’s a bit of an understatement. It’s not refinishing like you and I might do it at home. Fair Lane is the last and final home of Clara and Henry Ford. When Clara passed away in the mid 1950s, Ford Motor Company generously gave it to the University of Michigan. That’s where the U of M Dearborn was established. About 10 years, we reacquired the home because we just came to the recognition that this is a really important story, really important two people in the world, and you need to preserve and protect that legacy.
Chuck Gaidica:
I use this word “refinishing.” Tell us about the extensive nature of what you’re up to then.
I use this word “refinishing.” Tell us about the extensive nature of what you’re up to then.
Bob Bury:
Well, there’s some refinishing, but I guess the better word might be conservation, restoration, and re-creation. What I mean by that is the rugs, for example, and the furniture and many of the things that were originally in the home were gone because it really kind of left the family for-
Well, there’s some refinishing, but I guess the better word might be conservation, restoration, and re-creation. What I mean by that is the rugs, for example, and the furniture and many of the things that were originally in the home were gone because it really kind of left the family for-
Chuck Gaidica:
Oh, yeah.
Oh, yeah.
Bob Bury:
… almost 100 years, 75 years. So we are taking in painstaking detail to recreate what that furniture and rugs and everything, chandeliers, sconces.
… almost 100 years, 75 years. So we are taking in painstaking detail to recreate what that furniture and rugs and everything, chandeliers, sconces.
Chuck Gaidica:
Wow.
Wow.
Bob Bury:
That’s why it’s taking… People always ask me, “When is it going to be done?” I’m like, “It’ll never be done.” It takes a long time.
That’s why it’s taking… People always ask me, “When is it going to be done?” I’m like, “It’ll never be done.” It takes a long time.
Chuck Gaidica:
How long has it been then so far?
How long has it been then so far?
Bob Bury:
It’s been about 10 years since we’ve been working on the restoration. One example, there was a beautiful rug, hand-tied in India, in the original home because we have the records when it was auctioned off. We just got a reproduction of that rug delivered from India four years later at a significant expense.
It’s been about 10 years since we’ve been working on the restoration. One example, there was a beautiful rug, hand-tied in India, in the original home because we have the records when it was auctioned off. We just got a reproduction of that rug delivered from India four years later at a significant expense.
Chuck Gaidica:
Wow.
Wow.
Bob Bury:
But it’s a beautiful re-creation. If Henry and Clara were alive, they probably couldn’t tell that it wasn’t the real thing.
But it’s a beautiful re-creation. If Henry and Clara were alive, they probably couldn’t tell that it wasn’t the real thing.
Chuck Gaidica:
Is the intention then to make everything look like it’s original, what, 1919?
Is the intention then to make everything look like it’s original, what, 1919?
Bob Bury:
Yes. In historic homes and historic structures, you land on what you call the period of significance. That’s when it was either established or when people lived there, so we’re bringing it back to that period of time. Even though some of the rooms, you and I might say, “Well, it looks pretty good to me. Why are you changing it?” well, it’s how the Fords left it in the 1940s, for example, and we’re bringing it back to its period of significance, 1919 to about 1925.
Yes. In historic homes and historic structures, you land on what you call the period of significance. That’s when it was either established or when people lived there, so we’re bringing it back to that period of time. Even though some of the rooms, you and I might say, “Well, it looks pretty good to me. Why are you changing it?” well, it’s how the Fords left it in the 1940s, for example, and we’re bringing it back to its period of significance, 1919 to about 1925.
Chuck Gaidica:
Outside of packing your patience on the whole project, waiting four years for the rug to show up and the significant expense, what is it that you’re seeing are the greatest challenges in this process? Is it restoring it to that time of significance, making it look like that time?
Outside of packing your patience on the whole project, waiting four years for the rug to show up and the significant expense, what is it that you’re seeing are the greatest challenges in this process? Is it restoring it to that time of significance, making it look like that time?
Bob Bury:
Well, yes. The difficult part is finding people to do it. Because one of the other things that are part of the project or part of the mission is to keep the craft, keep those skilled tradespeople engaged and involved. You may have seen cane, like on a cane chair, and most of that cane that you’ll see, probably even here at the Grant Hotel, is plastic. But not ours. It’s real cane, hand-caned by one of very few people in this country that still do that. So we’re preserving crafts and some of that fine attention to detail that, for the most part, is quickly going away.
Well, yes. The difficult part is finding people to do it. Because one of the other things that are part of the project or part of the mission is to keep the craft, keep those skilled tradespeople engaged and involved. You may have seen cane, like on a cane chair, and most of that cane that you’ll see, probably even here at the Grant Hotel, is plastic. But not ours. It’s real cane, hand-caned by one of very few people in this country that still do that. So we’re preserving crafts and some of that fine attention to detail that, for the most part, is quickly going away.
Chuck Gaidica:
When we use phrases like a master carpenter, are you able to find those people locally then, or do you have to even import that talent?
When we use phrases like a master carpenter, are you able to find those people locally then, or do you have to even import that talent?
Bob Bury:
Some of each. We’ve had people move here from Connecticut for two years to work on a project.
Some of each. We’ve had people move here from Connecticut for two years to work on a project.
Chuck Gaidica:
Wow.
Wow.
Bob Bury:
But we’ve been fortunate to find local people. The vast majority of them are from Michigan, and we hire them as contractors. Then somewhat frequently we hire them as staff members.
But we’ve been fortunate to find local people. The vast majority of them are from Michigan, and we hire them as contractors. Then somewhat frequently we hire them as staff members.
Chuck Gaidica:
Oh, is that right?
Oh, is that right?
Bob Bury:
That’s how you find them because it’s really hard to assess someone’s ability until you see the outcome of their work. It’s a very painstaking, patient… One fun fact, I use one room, it took 2,000 hours to remove the paint from the walls. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have the patience to spend 2,000 hours.
That’s how you find them because it’s really hard to assess someone’s ability until you see the outcome of their work. It’s a very painstaking, patient… One fun fact, I use one room, it took 2,000 hours to remove the paint from the walls. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have the patience to spend 2,000 hours.
Chuck Gaidica:
Now, wait minute. To remove the paint? Of course, with a home of that age, it’s not just coming off. It’s taking it down… I mean, plaster’s coming off.
Now, wait minute. To remove the paint? Of course, with a home of that age, it’s not just coming off. It’s taking it down… I mean, plaster’s coming off.
Bob Bury:
Right, exactly, and using instruments is fine as a dental tool to get it out of the cracks. So it’s a very painstaking process. Then once the paint’s off, then there’s a whole nother process. But the outcome or the result, it’s pretty extraordinary.
Right, exactly, and using instruments is fine as a dental tool to get it out of the cracks. So it’s a very painstaking process. Then once the paint’s off, then there’s a whole nother process. But the outcome or the result, it’s pretty extraordinary.
Chuck Gaidica:
How do you budget for something like that? Because there must be surprises, I don’t know about daily, but your phone rings and it’s an “Uh-oh.”
How do you budget for something like that? Because there must be surprises, I don’t know about daily, but your phone rings and it’s an “Uh-oh.”
Bob Bury:
It’s difficult. It depends on what the particular project is. Some are easier to forecast than others. You got to have some flexibility. One of the difficult things is getting a due date. When is this going to be done? Because a lot of times it takes longer than you might expect.
It’s difficult. It depends on what the particular project is. Some are easier to forecast than others. You got to have some flexibility. One of the difficult things is getting a due date. When is this going to be done? Because a lot of times it takes longer than you might expect.
Chuck Gaidica:
What do you think is the due date?
What do you think is the due date?
Bob Bury:
Well, I’ll use another example. Edsel, who was the only son of Henry and Clara Ford, the house was really built with him in mind. There’s an indoor pool, there’s a bowling alley, and there was this magnificent billiard room, which we brought back to its original state. The billiard table took four years to make-
Well, I’ll use another example. Edsel, who was the only son of Henry and Clara Ford, the house was really built with him in mind. There’s an indoor pool, there’s a bowling alley, and there was this magnificent billiard room, which we brought back to its original state. The billiard table took four years to make-
Chuck Gaidica:
Wow.
Wow.
Bob Bury:
… because one person does this part, another person does that part. Then one person got COVID, so that pushed it all back. So it just takes a long time. The due dates are variable on the project. But it’s a very expansive project. In addition to the home, there’s the powerhouse. One of the little known facts is that house was entirely powered by hydroelectric power, by the Rouge River. So in many senses, Henry was well ahead of his time with clean energy.
… because one person does this part, another person does that part. Then one person got COVID, so that pushed it all back. So it just takes a long time. The due dates are variable on the project. But it’s a very expansive project. In addition to the home, there’s the powerhouse. One of the little known facts is that house was entirely powered by hydroelectric power, by the Rouge River. So in many senses, Henry was well ahead of his time with clean energy.
Chuck Gaidica:
Is that being maintained, or is it all shifted?
Is that being maintained, or is it all shifted?
Bob Bury:
Yeah, it is. That’s our next project.
Yeah, it is. That’s our next project.
Chuck Gaidica:
Wow.
Wow.
Bob Bury:
That’s our next project. To reactivate it, it’ll never power the entire house, but we’d like to think we’d be able to power a F-150 Lightning, for example.
That’s our next project. To reactivate it, it’ll never power the entire house, but we’d like to think we’d be able to power a F-150 Lightning, for example.
Chuck Gaidica:
There you go. So the importance, and that’s really part of the theme of this segment, is looking over our shoulder at the past and then looking to the future. Speak to the import of that, of why you’re going through this painstaking process and why it’s important for our kids and their kids.
There you go. So the importance, and that’s really part of the theme of this segment, is looking over our shoulder at the past and then looking to the future. Speak to the import of that, of why you’re going through this painstaking process and why it’s important for our kids and their kids.
Bob Bury:
Well, I think if you look at the story of Henry Ford and Clara Ford and what they contributed to American culture, to the culture of the world, it’s important to make sure that you maintain those stories and provide the opportunity for people to be inspired by them. Though we’re not generally open, when we have people come, they state that they’re just really inspired to be in the presence of these really tremendous people who really changed the world. So we want to preserve and protect that, be a source of inspiration. Then, in the home especially, and then on the powerhouse side, we think it’s a great opportunity to demonstrate how you can use alternative power to think creatively to power the house.
Well, I think if you look at the story of Henry Ford and Clara Ford and what they contributed to American culture, to the culture of the world, it’s important to make sure that you maintain those stories and provide the opportunity for people to be inspired by them. Though we’re not generally open, when we have people come, they state that they’re just really inspired to be in the presence of these really tremendous people who really changed the world. So we want to preserve and protect that, be a source of inspiration. Then, in the home especially, and then on the powerhouse side, we think it’s a great opportunity to demonstrate how you can use alternative power to think creatively to power the house.
Chuck Gaidica:
Isn’t that wild to think that you’ll be able to restore that, what’s old is new again, and then thinking about this F-150 Lightning and the Mustang Mach-E, just where we’re going in terms of power itself?
Isn’t that wild to think that you’ll be able to restore that, what’s old is new again, and then thinking about this F-150 Lightning and the Mustang Mach-E, just where we’re going in terms of power itself?
Bob Bury:
Well, it’s interesting. In the garage, there are plugs in the wall, because back in the first 20 years of the 1900s, women generally didn’t like to do the crank in the car and all that. So there were electric vehicles. Clara Ford drove a Detroit Electric, and there’s plugs in the wall where she plugged in her car.
Well, it’s interesting. In the garage, there are plugs in the wall, because back in the first 20 years of the 1900s, women generally didn’t like to do the crank in the car and all that. So there were electric vehicles. Clara Ford drove a Detroit Electric, and there’s plugs in the wall where she plugged in her car.
Chuck Gaidica:
Pretty wild.
Pretty wild.
Bob Bury:
So we’re going to preserve those plugs, of course, and retrofit them to the Mustang.
So we’re going to preserve those plugs, of course, and retrofit them to the Mustang.
Chuck Gaidica:
Maybe the Mustang or… Well, I guess the F-150 could help power part of the house if there’s an outage.
Maybe the Mustang or… Well, I guess the F-150 could help power part of the house if there’s an outage.
Bob Bury:
Exactly, right, right.
Exactly, right, right.
Chuck Gaidica:
Well, Bob, it’s good to see you.
Well, Bob, it’s good to see you.
Bob Bury:
Great to see you. Thanks for the opportunity to share a little bit more what’s going on at Fair Lane. If people want to come and visit, the gardens are magnificent. Clara Ford started the National Garden Club, and so we’re committing and preserving that legacy. You can visit the grounds anytime for free. Don’t bring your dog. Don’t bring balloons or things like that. It’s a beautiful place that people can really relax and have some peaceful time.
Great to see you. Thanks for the opportunity to share a little bit more what’s going on at Fair Lane. If people want to come and visit, the gardens are magnificent. Clara Ford started the National Garden Club, and so we’re committing and preserving that legacy. You can visit the grounds anytime for free. Don’t bring your dog. Don’t bring balloons or things like that. It’s a beautiful place that people can really relax and have some peaceful time.
Chuck Gaidica:
How do they find you online?
How do they find you online?
Bob Bury:
Henryfordestate.org.
Henryfordestate.org.
Chuck Gaidica:
Okay, great. Bob Bury has been with us, president and CEO of Fair Lane and the Home of Clara and Henry Ford. Take good care.
Okay, great. Bob Bury has been with us, president and CEO of Fair Lane and the Home of Clara and Henry Ford. Take good care.
Bob Bury:
Thank you. You too.
Thank you. You too.
Chuck Gaidica:
And now, President and CEO of the Michigan Science Center, Christian Greer. So Christian Greer has wandered up to our wonderful booth here. Good to see you.
And now, President and CEO of the Michigan Science Center, Christian Greer. So Christian Greer has wandered up to our wonderful booth here. Good to see you.
Christian Greer:
It’s a great booth. Good to be here.
It’s a great booth. Good to be here.
Chuck Gaidica:
President and CEO of the Michigan Science Center. You’re able to do a little bragging rights now, top 10 science centers-
President and CEO of the Michigan Science Center. You’re able to do a little bragging rights now, top 10 science centers-
Christian Greer:
I love to brag.
I love to brag.
Chuck Gaidica:
… in America.
… in America.
Christian Greer:
Yes, yes. We’re in the top 10. We’ve been in the top 10, actually the top five for three years in a row.
Yes, yes. We’re in the top 10. We’ve been in the top 10, actually the top five for three years in a row.
Chuck Gaidica:
Who are the competitors? Come on.
Who are the competitors? Come on.
Christian Greer:
Well, unfortunately they’re in Ohio, so that doesn’t help their chances for next year because I think we get a lot more support. We started out three years ago at number five. Then we moved up to number two last year, beaten only by COSI in Columbus, Ohio. Then we’re number three this year. So hopefully we get to number one in 2024.
Well, unfortunately they’re in Ohio, so that doesn’t help their chances for next year because I think we get a lot more support. We started out three years ago at number five. Then we moved up to number two last year, beaten only by COSI in Columbus, Ohio. Then we’re number three this year. So hopefully we get to number one in 2024.
Chuck Gaidica:
But you’re breathing rarefied air, you know that.
But you’re breathing rarefied air, you know that.
Christian Greer:
Yes, we are.
Yes, we are.
Chuck Gaidica:
You’re kind of alternating. But it’s like TV ratings. You’re in the top. That’s great.
You’re kind of alternating. But it’s like TV ratings. You’re in the top. That’s great.
Christian Greer:
Yeah, I like it. I like it the way you think.
Yeah, I like it. I like it the way you think.
Chuck Gaidica:
You’ve got how many, what is it, 200 on-hand exhibits? That had to help with that ranking.
You’ve got how many, what is it, 200 on-hand exhibits? That had to help with that ranking.
Christian Greer:
It does help, yes. We have 220 interactive exhibits. That means, in our business, interactivity is just you get to do something to prove to yourself the principles and processes of science: science, technology, engineering, and math. Sometimes we shove the arts in there for STEAM because science and technology, especially engineering, are creative, and we want those creative endeavors to be something that we point out the skills for young people to be able to learn and to help power our future economy with their innovation.
It does help, yes. We have 220 interactive exhibits. That means, in our business, interactivity is just you get to do something to prove to yourself the principles and processes of science: science, technology, engineering, and math. Sometimes we shove the arts in there for STEAM because science and technology, especially engineering, are creative, and we want those creative endeavors to be something that we point out the skills for young people to be able to learn and to help power our future economy with their innovation.
Chuck Gaidica:
Now, when I look at this conference, and I’ve been coming for several years, obviously there’s the connectedness, there’s the schmoozarama part of it. If you drill down, science and math, what’s happening in business, what’s happening in government, where funding is coming to undergird development, health and wellness, it’s all kind of balanced on science and technology.
Now, when I look at this conference, and I’ve been coming for several years, obviously there’s the connectedness, there’s the schmoozarama part of it. If you drill down, science and math, what’s happening in business, what’s happening in government, where funding is coming to undergird development, health and wellness, it’s all kind of balanced on science and technology.
Christian Greer:
Chuck, you hit it right on the nose. I think it’s important for people to understand just how critical it is to learn these STEM skills, and not only the hard skills, like kids taking calculus and algebra and analytic geometry and all those things, or they’re learning things in biology, chemistry, and physics, but also being able to apply it to this increasingly complex world and networked world. Now with the onset of more artificial intelligence being moved into the mainstream of things that you can tap into and use, wow, we’re looking at a pretty exciting future, and we want our young people in Michigan to be ready for it.
Chuck, you hit it right on the nose. I think it’s important for people to understand just how critical it is to learn these STEM skills, and not only the hard skills, like kids taking calculus and algebra and analytic geometry and all those things, or they’re learning things in biology, chemistry, and physics, but also being able to apply it to this increasingly complex world and networked world. Now with the onset of more artificial intelligence being moved into the mainstream of things that you can tap into and use, wow, we’re looking at a pretty exciting future, and we want our young people in Michigan to be ready for it.
Chuck Gaidica:
Are you excited about it? Because I know a lot of people seem to be scared by it.
Are you excited about it? Because I know a lot of people seem to be scared by it.
Christian Greer:
I think they should be scared by it. New technology can sometimes be used in the wrong way. We’ve seen that throughout history. But we also don’t take credit for all the good things that happen, too. So I think it’s a little bit of both. I think that we should be cautious because the way that AI is accelerating in terms of its ability to process language and to calculate things is off the charts. We see that right in front of us. So if you’re using it on your phone or you’re using something like ChatGPT, for example, you can imagine that what they’re working on and what exists beyond that is a hundred times or even a thousand times more sophisticated. So it’s going to happen really quickly. A lot of jobs will be threatened, but we’ll work around it, I think.
That’s why I feel like connecting to the Science Center is important. If you go to our website, mi-sci.org, you’ll see right on the splash page there, it says, “We put you at the center of science.” What that means is we’re trying to personalize the experience of STEM or STEAM in such a way that people feel like it’s something that relates to them. Not everyone is going to use ChatGPT to write a paper, not everyone’s going to access AI for their healthcare or that sort of thing knowingly, but it will be built into our future. So I think if you know how to adapt, I think if people ask questions, seek answers, and try new things and maybe let a friend or a teenager teach you how to use it, you’ll be okay.
I think they should be scared by it. New technology can sometimes be used in the wrong way. We’ve seen that throughout history. But we also don’t take credit for all the good things that happen, too. So I think it’s a little bit of both. I think that we should be cautious because the way that AI is accelerating in terms of its ability to process language and to calculate things is off the charts. We see that right in front of us. So if you’re using it on your phone or you’re using something like ChatGPT, for example, you can imagine that what they’re working on and what exists beyond that is a hundred times or even a thousand times more sophisticated. So it’s going to happen really quickly. A lot of jobs will be threatened, but we’ll work around it, I think.
That’s why I feel like connecting to the Science Center is important. If you go to our website, mi-sci.org, you’ll see right on the splash page there, it says, “We put you at the center of science.” What that means is we’re trying to personalize the experience of STEM or STEAM in such a way that people feel like it’s something that relates to them. Not everyone is going to use ChatGPT to write a paper, not everyone’s going to access AI for their healthcare or that sort of thing knowingly, but it will be built into our future. So I think if you know how to adapt, I think if people ask questions, seek answers, and try new things and maybe let a friend or a teenager teach you how to use it, you’ll be okay.
Chuck Gaidica:
What is Siri?
What is Siri?
Christian Greer:
Right, exactly.
Right, exactly.
Chuck Gaidica:
We’ve lived through, I won’t say we, I’ll just say me-
We’ve lived through, I won’t say we, I’ll just say me-
Christian Greer:
I’m right there with you.
I’m right there with you.
Chuck Gaidica:
… I’ve lived through going through… I majored in science and math in high school. I was able to declare a major.
… I’ve lived through going through… I majored in science and math in high school. I was able to declare a major.
Christian Greer:
Nice.
Nice.
Chuck Gaidica:
I went from the time of architectural drawings using a slide rule to then getting a calculator. I thought, “Oh, I’ll get so lazy.”
I went from the time of architectural drawings using a slide rule to then getting a calculator. I thought, “Oh, I’ll get so lazy.”
Christian Greer:
Right, so with you.
Right, so with you.
Chuck Gaidica:
But the world kept moving.
But the world kept moving.
Christian Greer:
It kept moving.
It kept moving.
Chuck Gaidica:
I don’t really miss the slide rule, okay? I probably did get a bit lazier, but things just change. And if you embrace technology, which often leads the culture, you’re keeping up.
I don’t really miss the slide rule, okay? I probably did get a bit lazier, but things just change. And if you embrace technology, which often leads the culture, you’re keeping up.
Christian Greer:
I think what you’re saying is spot on. This is where I feel like the fear should be lessened a little bit, as most of the things that are going to be used are going to be adapted for general purpose use. So people have found ways to connect with OpenAI, systems like ChatGPT, which is popular, or other things like Midjourney on Discord, which allows you to create images through artificial intelligence. So I think it’s kind of a wait-and-see to some extent on how it will affect our daily lives. But I think it is important for our leaders, policy makers, engineers, even some of our major companies and universities, to get together and decide, how do we put some guardrails on artificial intelligence? Because we’ve all seen those movies, too, from that time-
I think what you’re saying is spot on. This is where I feel like the fear should be lessened a little bit, as most of the things that are going to be used are going to be adapted for general purpose use. So people have found ways to connect with OpenAI, systems like ChatGPT, which is popular, or other things like Midjourney on Discord, which allows you to create images through artificial intelligence. So I think it’s kind of a wait-and-see to some extent on how it will affect our daily lives. But I think it is important for our leaders, policy makers, engineers, even some of our major companies and universities, to get together and decide, how do we put some guardrails on artificial intelligence? Because we’ve all seen those movies, too, from that time-
Chuck Gaidica:
Well, yeah.
Well, yeah.
Christian Greer:
… of how things can go wrong.
… of how things can go wrong.
Chuck Gaidica:
Or now the AI news that’s not real news. Talk about fake news, these are fake people.
Or now the AI news that’s not real news. Talk about fake news, these are fake people.
Christian Greer:
This is fake human beings. The one thing I think is important is that Descartes and others throughout the history of the development of science always pushed this idea of skepticism. Sometimes you think of someone being a skeptic, as being a conspiracy theorist, or that sort of thing. But at the heart of it has to do with trying to find evidence to prove your hypothesis, and the hypothesis has to be testable. This is exactly what science is all about. So I actually don’t mind the craziness, the fake stuff, the UFO videos. Because as a person interested in science, you really should put it to the test and see if you believe what you’re seeing or how you can verify some of the phenomenon that we see every day. So I think that’s a good test for our young people. I think if teachers are out there in K-12, they should give all these articles and give these fake people to the kids and let them practice so they can learn to differentiate between fact and fiction.
This is fake human beings. The one thing I think is important is that Descartes and others throughout the history of the development of science always pushed this idea of skepticism. Sometimes you think of someone being a skeptic, as being a conspiracy theorist, or that sort of thing. But at the heart of it has to do with trying to find evidence to prove your hypothesis, and the hypothesis has to be testable. This is exactly what science is all about. So I actually don’t mind the craziness, the fake stuff, the UFO videos. Because as a person interested in science, you really should put it to the test and see if you believe what you’re seeing or how you can verify some of the phenomenon that we see every day. So I think that’s a good test for our young people. I think if teachers are out there in K-12, they should give all these articles and give these fake people to the kids and let them practice so they can learn to differentiate between fact and fiction.
Chuck Gaidica:
That’s a really good point. Because who was it? Was it Reagan back in the day? He said, “Trust but verify.”
That’s a really good point. Because who was it? Was it Reagan back in the day? He said, “Trust but verify.”
Christian Greer:
Yeah, trust but verify.
Yeah, trust but verify.
Chuck Gaidica:
That’s an intriguing way to look at this-
That’s an intriguing way to look at this-
Christian Greer:
That is a very important.
That is a very important.
Chuck Gaidica:
… because we’ve lost some of that as we have… The word “argument,” which now seems like it’s part of being divisive, when really argument was debate.
… because we’ve lost some of that as we have… The word “argument,” which now seems like it’s part of being divisive, when really argument was debate.
Christian Greer:
It’s debate. It’s all part of it. I think what happens is that when it’s mean-spirited or you feel like you already know the answers, I think we miss an opportunity to grow together when we’re able to have this healthy debate as you’re talking about, Chuck. It gives us an opportunity, if we take an objective look at things, to let the evidence speak for itself. We talk about that in a courtroom, we talk about that in the boardroom, and we talk about that hopefully in the classroom where these kids can learn this and grow up and inherit a world that’s going to be faster, whole lot faster than we can think, that’s for sure.
It’s debate. It’s all part of it. I think what happens is that when it’s mean-spirited or you feel like you already know the answers, I think we miss an opportunity to grow together when we’re able to have this healthy debate as you’re talking about, Chuck. It gives us an opportunity, if we take an objective look at things, to let the evidence speak for itself. We talk about that in a courtroom, we talk about that in the boardroom, and we talk about that hopefully in the classroom where these kids can learn this and grow up and inherit a world that’s going to be faster, whole lot faster than we can think, that’s for sure.
Chuck Gaidica:
At that level, the classroom level or in the Science Center, what do you see as the near-term future? What changes are coming? Can you talk about any of them?
At that level, the classroom level or in the Science Center, what do you see as the near-term future? What changes are coming? Can you talk about any of them?
Christian Greer:
Well, one of the things I will share is gaming and gaming technology. We have an exhibit at the Science Center that’s been running for a while, our 1.0 prototype version of it, which was sponsored by GM. It’s called Level Up: The Science of Gaming, and it’s been our most popular exhibit in a very long time. It’s been incredible. Kids come in this space, they feel like it was designed for them. Again, we’re putting them at the center of science, personalizing their experience, thinking about how they want to relate to the world, finding things that are practical and relevant. That exhibit is fun because it has a mixture of old school games that I remember used to playing, like Connect Four-
Well, one of the things I will share is gaming and gaming technology. We have an exhibit at the Science Center that’s been running for a while, our 1.0 prototype version of it, which was sponsored by GM. It’s called Level Up: The Science of Gaming, and it’s been our most popular exhibit in a very long time. It’s been incredible. Kids come in this space, they feel like it was designed for them. Again, we’re putting them at the center of science, personalizing their experience, thinking about how they want to relate to the world, finding things that are practical and relevant. That exhibit is fun because it has a mixture of old school games that I remember used to playing, like Connect Four-
Chuck Gaidica:
Oh, yeah.
Oh, yeah.
Christian Greer:
… “Pretty sneaky, Sis.
… “Pretty sneaky, Sis.
Chuck Gaidica:
Does it have Pong?
Does it have Pong?
Christian Greer:
We don’t have a Pong. But you know what? I’m going to try to see if we can get a Pong because that would be great. Pong was fun, Monopoly, all the games we play. So when people come in there with families or grandparents, everyone finds something that they can check out.
The idea is that games represent a sort of mathematical concept about how decisions are made, or let’s say, flowcharts or network diagrams that are used. These complicated things are really kind of simple when you put it in the framework of a game. Although chess may seem complicated, and we have a giant chess set that kids can play, once you finally get an opportunity to learn just a few rules, you start to get a little danger on the chess board. We want kids to really embrace those things.
Sometimes it’s harder for us because we’re used to, as adults, doing things a certain way. But kids come in, they know what to do. They can pick up your phone and figure it out in five minutes. They don’t need an instruction manual like I remember reading for my Apple IIe. But this is the kind of thing that I think is the future for us. Creating interactives where kids can play, try, create, model, measure, compare and contrast, hypothesize, all those are STEM skills, and that gives them a chance to be able to learn it in a fun way. Sometimes they don’t realize they’re learning, but we want to tell them they’re learning that, too, and they can learn whatever they want to do.
We don’t have a Pong. But you know what? I’m going to try to see if we can get a Pong because that would be great. Pong was fun, Monopoly, all the games we play. So when people come in there with families or grandparents, everyone finds something that they can check out.
The idea is that games represent a sort of mathematical concept about how decisions are made, or let’s say, flowcharts or network diagrams that are used. These complicated things are really kind of simple when you put it in the framework of a game. Although chess may seem complicated, and we have a giant chess set that kids can play, once you finally get an opportunity to learn just a few rules, you start to get a little danger on the chess board. We want kids to really embrace those things.
Sometimes it’s harder for us because we’re used to, as adults, doing things a certain way. But kids come in, they know what to do. They can pick up your phone and figure it out in five minutes. They don’t need an instruction manual like I remember reading for my Apple IIe. But this is the kind of thing that I think is the future for us. Creating interactives where kids can play, try, create, model, measure, compare and contrast, hypothesize, all those are STEM skills, and that gives them a chance to be able to learn it in a fun way. Sometimes they don’t realize they’re learning, but we want to tell them they’re learning that, too, and they can learn whatever they want to do.
Chuck Gaidica:
I didn’t appreciate it as a kid in high school when I pushed back on a teacher and I said, “Why in the world do I need…?” I don’t know if it was algebra, trigonometry, whatever.
I didn’t appreciate it as a kid in high school when I pushed back on a teacher and I said, “Why in the world do I need…?” I don’t know if it was algebra, trigonometry, whatever.
Christian Greer:
“Am I going to ever use this?”
“Am I going to ever use this?”
Chuck Gaidica:
They said, “It’s going to make you precise.” I thought it’s helping get rid of those, as Arnold would say, those flabby muscles. You do tend to get a little bit-
They said, “It’s going to make you precise.” I thought it’s helping get rid of those, as Arnold would say, those flabby muscles. You do tend to get a little bit-
Christian Greer:
I love that.
I love that.
Chuck Gaidica:
There are off-ramps into other parts of your world that do tend to benefit from science and math.
There are off-ramps into other parts of your world that do tend to benefit from science and math.
Christian Greer:
Well, they do. Speaking of ramps and off-ramps and things like that, when we drive down the road in Michigan, so much of the technology that we just talked about is built into that car. You don’t think about it when it’s alerting you as to whether you can turn left or turn right or change lanes safely and think about reducing traffic accidents or making your mileage, if you’re in an electric vehicle, to be able to travel further.
Well, they do. Speaking of ramps and off-ramps and things like that, when we drive down the road in Michigan, so much of the technology that we just talked about is built into that car. You don’t think about it when it’s alerting you as to whether you can turn left or turn right or change lanes safely and think about reducing traffic accidents or making your mileage, if you’re in an electric vehicle, to be able to travel further.
Chuck Gaidica:
Autonomy, right.
Autonomy, right.
Christian Greer:
Autonomous vehicles. So much of science really is about hope for the future. I think engineers are amazing people because they apply all that great work that sciences do to your daily life. So thank them for that.
Autonomous vehicles. So much of science really is about hope for the future. I think engineers are amazing people because they apply all that great work that sciences do to your daily life. So thank them for that.
Chuck Gaidica:
Well, I’ve got to thank all my kids. We’ve got one that’s a neuroscientist.
Well, I’ve got to thank all my kids. We’ve got one that’s a neuroscientist.
Christian Greer:
Oh, there we go.
Oh, there we go.
Chuck Gaidica:
Yeah.
Yeah.
Christian Greer:
Now, that is the ultimate future because we’re going to need to understand our brains in order to tell the AI to kind of cut it out a little bit and try not to take over the world all at once.
Now, that is the ultimate future because we’re going to need to understand our brains in order to tell the AI to kind of cut it out a little bit and try not to take over the world all at once.
Chuck Gaidica:
Well, see, I got a guy, so I’m in good shape.
Well, see, I got a guy, so I’m in good shape.
Christian Greer:
You got a guy.
You got a guy.
Chuck Gaidica:
Christian, it’s good to see you.
Christian, it’s good to see you.
Christian Greer:
It’s good to see you as well. Thank you for having me.
It’s good to see you as well. Thank you for having me.
Chuck Gaidica:
Thanks for your time. Christian Greer, President and CEO of the Michigan Science Center. Take good care.
Thanks for your time. Christian Greer, President and CEO of the Michigan Science Center. Take good care.
Christian Greer:
Thank you.
Thank you.
Chuck Gaidica:
Next is president and CEO of The Henry Ford, Patricia Mooradian. Good to see you.
Next is president and CEO of The Henry Ford, Patricia Mooradian. Good to see you.
Patricia Mooradian:
Thanks, Chuck. I’m happy to be here.
Thanks, Chuck. I’m happy to be here.
Chuck Gaidica:
Well, we’re so happy you’re here. Patricia is president and CEO of The Henry Ford. I know you’ve just acquired a property that has such historic value and precedence. Talk about that.
Well, we’re so happy you’re here. Patricia is president and CEO of The Henry Ford. I know you’ve just acquired a property that has such historic value and precedence. Talk about that.
Patricia Mooradian:
We just acquired the Jackson House from Selma, Alabama. The woman who owns it, Jawana Jackson, is the only survivor of the Jackson family. She has no children. She understands the rich history that took place in this house, and she called us.
We just acquired the Jackson House from Selma, Alabama. The woman who owns it, Jawana Jackson, is the only survivor of the Jackson family. She has no children. She understands the rich history that took place in this house, and she called us.
Chuck Gaidica:
This is a home that Dr. Martin Luther King was there planning the Selma to Montgomery walk. Is that correct?
This is a home that Dr. Martin Luther King was there planning the Selma to Montgomery walk. Is that correct?
Patricia Mooradian:
That’s correct. He took safe haven in this home for many, many months on many occasions. He and the other civil rights leaders of the day worked in this house tirelessly to plan the march.
That’s correct. He took safe haven in this home for many, many months on many occasions. He and the other civil rights leaders of the day worked in this house tirelessly to plan the march.
Chuck Gaidica:
Wow.
Wow.
Patricia Mooradian:
Many of the furnishings and artifacts, what we call artifacts now, are all intact, and that’s part of the acquisition.
Many of the furnishings and artifacts, what we call artifacts now, are all intact, and that’s part of the acquisition.
Chuck Gaidica:
So for The Henry Ford to do this, we’re just sitting here on Mackinac on a beautiful day, well, we’re talking about moving a house with its contents. Talk about that process itself.
So for The Henry Ford to do this, we’re just sitting here on Mackinac on a beautiful day, well, we’re talking about moving a house with its contents. Talk about that process itself.
Patricia Mooradian:
Well, so the process is pretty detailed. We’ve worked on it for over a year with a variety of engineers and firms that know how to move historic structures. It’s very important to preserve history. If a home, and in particular this home, is not able to be preserved in-place, it’s important that it be preserved. So we thrilled actually that she called us and she said, “This home belongs to the world. I want it in Greenfield Village.”
Well, so the process is pretty detailed. We’ve worked on it for over a year with a variety of engineers and firms that know how to move historic structures. It’s very important to preserve history. If a home, and in particular this home, is not able to be preserved in-place, it’s important that it be preserved. So we thrilled actually that she called us and she said, “This home belongs to the world. I want it in Greenfield Village.”
Chuck Gaidica:
Wow.
Wow.
Patricia Mooradian:
The stories are so rich and so important, she wanted it to be here in Greenfield Village. So we began the process of figuring out whether it could be moved. That’s always a first step. In so doing, we determined that it could. The house was built in the 1910s. It’s always been in the Jackson family. The stories have been so preserved, and we want that to live on in perpetuity in Greenfield Village.
The stories are so rich and so important, she wanted it to be here in Greenfield Village. So we began the process of figuring out whether it could be moved. That’s always a first step. In so doing, we determined that it could. The house was built in the 1910s. It’s always been in the Jackson family. The stories have been so preserved, and we want that to live on in perpetuity in Greenfield Village.
Chuck Gaidica:
Do you take it apart and mark it like a puzzle?
Do you take it apart and mark it like a puzzle?
Patricia Mooradian:
Yes. First, we emptied the home, and that has been done. The next steps are to remove the extraneous outer pieces, the roof, the chimney, the porch. Then the home gets cut in two and put on flatbeds.
Yes. First, we emptied the home, and that has been done. The next steps are to remove the extraneous outer pieces, the roof, the chimney, the porch. Then the home gets cut in two and put on flatbeds.
Chuck Gaidica:
Wow, that’s pretty wild.
Wow, that’s pretty wild.
Patricia Mooradian:
It’s an intense process. Now, if you’ve been in Greenfield Village, which I know you have, there are 83 historic structures. Almost all of them have been moved there, but none since 1985, actually.
It’s an intense process. Now, if you’ve been in Greenfield Village, which I know you have, there are 83 historic structures. Almost all of them have been moved there, but none since 1985, actually.
Chuck Gaidica:
There’s this shared notion of freedom and justice that comes along with the house, so the house has import all by itself historically-
There’s this shared notion of freedom and justice that comes along with the house, so the house has import all by itself historically-
Patricia Mooradian:
Absolutely.
Absolutely.
Chuck Gaidica:
… who’s been in it, super important. This idea of moving this house, a broader narrative for Greenfield Village and Henry Ford to speak to the world, much less America, about the history.
… who’s been in it, super important. This idea of moving this house, a broader narrative for Greenfield Village and Henry Ford to speak to the world, much less America, about the history.
Patricia Mooradian:
It’s so important. That is an area that we collect in and tell those stories. In the museum, for instance, we have With Liberty and Justice For All, which is a really magnificent exhibition that talks about freedom as an American experiment begun with our Founding Fathers, and it goes on to the Civil Rights time period where we have the Rosa Parks bus. We try and make connections between the museum and the village and help people to understand those connections so they can navigate and get full stories. In Greenfield Village, we have Logan County Courthouse, where Abraham Lincoln practiced law, very instrumental in the beginning. We have George Washington Carver’s cabin. We have the Mattox Family Farm. All of these help to tell that really important story of freedom, American justice and equality. That’s what we want to do, and this home will do just that and connect the dots to many of the other stories that are in the village and the museum and in our collections.
It’s so important. That is an area that we collect in and tell those stories. In the museum, for instance, we have With Liberty and Justice For All, which is a really magnificent exhibition that talks about freedom as an American experiment begun with our Founding Fathers, and it goes on to the Civil Rights time period where we have the Rosa Parks bus. We try and make connections between the museum and the village and help people to understand those connections so they can navigate and get full stories. In Greenfield Village, we have Logan County Courthouse, where Abraham Lincoln practiced law, very instrumental in the beginning. We have George Washington Carver’s cabin. We have the Mattox Family Farm. All of these help to tell that really important story of freedom, American justice and equality. That’s what we want to do, and this home will do just that and connect the dots to many of the other stories that are in the village and the museum and in our collections.
Chuck Gaidica:
Well, and we put such high value on those individual pieces of a collection. Even if it’s a home, it’s still part of a collection. But I don’t know if we always assign such high value to the fact that your interest and what you have with The Henry Ford and Greenfield Village is right in our backyard.
Well, and we put such high value on those individual pieces of a collection. Even if it’s a home, it’s still part of a collection. But I don’t know if we always assign such high value to the fact that your interest and what you have with The Henry Ford and Greenfield Village is right in our backyard.
Patricia Mooradian:
We are very, very fortunate to have it. I feel humbled every day to work there. We have such a talented team that understands the importance, the significance, but also how to take apart and reassemble a home. We have experts on staff, and then we know how to hire experts that can help us do it. It’s very important to us that we do it right, and that we also work very closely with the community of Selma and the state of Alabama to keep our connections and our link because that heritage is extraordinarily important.
We are very, very fortunate to have it. I feel humbled every day to work there. We have such a talented team that understands the importance, the significance, but also how to take apart and reassemble a home. We have experts on staff, and then we know how to hire experts that can help us do it. It’s very important to us that we do it right, and that we also work very closely with the community of Selma and the state of Alabama to keep our connections and our link because that heritage is extraordinarily important.
Chuck Gaidica:
I don’t know that you know this, and I’ve not talked about it because it wasn’t that important, but several years ago, ancestry.com contacted Local 4 and said, “We’d like you to pick an anchor person. We’d like to look into their history, of their ancestry.” We thought, “Well, where can we go for this to be unveiled to me?” I was the guy that said, “Hey, I’ll do it.” It was at Greenfield Village and Henry Ford. I’m sitting near the locomotive display, and I’ve been there many times with my family, so I’m impressed, in awe of all that I’m seeing in terms of the history that’s there. I’m literally listening to somebody unfurl the history of part of my family while there. I thought, how profound for me as a person. It was just profound that I was there, and I was being touched, not just by exhibits, but by a personal story. So I discovered new things about my family there.
I don’t know that you know this, and I’ve not talked about it because it wasn’t that important, but several years ago, ancestry.com contacted Local 4 and said, “We’d like you to pick an anchor person. We’d like to look into their history, of their ancestry.” We thought, “Well, where can we go for this to be unveiled to me?” I was the guy that said, “Hey, I’ll do it.” It was at Greenfield Village and Henry Ford. I’m sitting near the locomotive display, and I’ve been there many times with my family, so I’m impressed, in awe of all that I’m seeing in terms of the history that’s there. I’m literally listening to somebody unfurl the history of part of my family while there. I thought, how profound for me as a person. It was just profound that I was there, and I was being touched, not just by exhibits, but by a personal story. So I discovered new things about my family there.
Patricia Mooradian:
That’s pretty exciting and very poignant actually. When Jawana Jackson came up to visit us for the first time, she was absolutely convinced that the decision she was making was the right one.
That’s pretty exciting and very poignant actually. When Jawana Jackson came up to visit us for the first time, she was absolutely convinced that the decision she was making was the right one.
Chuck Gaidica:
Wow.
Wow.
Patricia Mooradian:
Because she has no heirs, it was important to her that she preserved this legacy and make a very bold move. It was a difficult move and a difficult decision, but she knew that the house most likely would not be preserved in her absence. So she really is looking after the legacy of this home and the significance of it. Another really important point for us is, as we age as a population, it’s important that The Henry Ford stay very relevant and relevant to audiences today. For us to connect the dots between what happened in that home in the ’60s, ’64 and ’65, all the way to what’s happening in the world today, it’s really that past forward look that helps us stay relevant and helps us bring good public history to the world. Not only will this be in Greenfield Village, but we will put this story and the artifacts and the documentation of it all online.
Because she has no heirs, it was important to her that she preserved this legacy and make a very bold move. It was a difficult move and a difficult decision, but she knew that the house most likely would not be preserved in her absence. So she really is looking after the legacy of this home and the significance of it. Another really important point for us is, as we age as a population, it’s important that The Henry Ford stay very relevant and relevant to audiences today. For us to connect the dots between what happened in that home in the ’60s, ’64 and ’65, all the way to what’s happening in the world today, it’s really that past forward look that helps us stay relevant and helps us bring good public history to the world. Not only will this be in Greenfield Village, but we will put this story and the artifacts and the documentation of it all online.
Chuck Gaidica:
Just fantastic. It really is. What a great place for us to not only look at this American history that’s preserved for all of us but at a time in the world where it seems like life is moving at the speed of light, to be able to slow down and to see what was important and what still is important. So thanks for doing that.
Just fantastic. It really is. What a great place for us to not only look at this American history that’s preserved for all of us but at a time in the world where it seems like life is moving at the speed of light, to be able to slow down and to see what was important and what still is important. So thanks for doing that.
Patricia Mooradian:
Still very important, so thank you, and thank you for having me as a guest today.
Still very important, so thank you, and thank you for having me as a guest today.
Chuck Gaidica:
Oh, great to have you. Patricia Mooradian, who’s been with us, president and CEO of The Henry Ford. Enjoy the conference.
Oh, great to have you. Patricia Mooradian, who’s been with us, president and CEO of The Henry Ford. Enjoy the conference.
Patricia Mooradian:
Thank you.
Thank you.
Chuck Gaidica:
And finally, editor and publisher of the Detroit News, Gary Miles. We’re joined now by Gary Miles, who’s editor and publisher of the Detroit News, celebrating, what, 150 years. You look good for that.
And finally, editor and publisher of the Detroit News, Gary Miles. We’re joined now by Gary Miles, who’s editor and publisher of the Detroit News, celebrating, what, 150 years. You look good for that.
Gary Miles:
Thank you.
Thank you.
Chuck Gaidica:
Talk about that because we’re talking about past, present, and future, navigating 150 years in a few months, counting down to this anniversary in August, so much to be proud of, such a rich history. Yet, you’ve got to be looking to the future of what’s coming.
Talk about that because we’re talking about past, present, and future, navigating 150 years in a few months, counting down to this anniversary in August, so much to be proud of, such a rich history. Yet, you’ve got to be looking to the future of what’s coming.
Gary Miles:
We certainly are. It’s been remarkable, though, to spend time looking through our past and our coverage of the past and reminding ourselves of the prominent figures of the past, but also the prominent role that Detroit News has played in various aspects of the past. It reminds you of how important our contributions and our journalism have been, but also how important it is to keep contributing and to keep doing outstanding journalism.
We certainly are. It’s been remarkable, though, to spend time looking through our past and our coverage of the past and reminding ourselves of the prominent figures of the past, but also the prominent role that Detroit News has played in various aspects of the past. It reminds you of how important our contributions and our journalism have been, but also how important it is to keep contributing and to keep doing outstanding journalism.
Chuck Gaidica:
And seeing the newsmakers over that time. It’s interesting. I grew up in Chicago, but I got to Detroit in ’82, so for me, this is where I grew up. This is home. My parents moved here eventually, and it all kind of worked out. I look at history like that, and I think, “Wow, I’ve been in a place where even 150 years, I’ve shared in 40 plus years of that in my own personal life.” It’s not a big deal to the rest of everybody listening. But to me, I stand back and sometimes I’m in awe of just being in a place where I’m able to say I’ve shared in some of that. I don’t know. It comforts me.
And seeing the newsmakers over that time. It’s interesting. I grew up in Chicago, but I got to Detroit in ’82, so for me, this is where I grew up. This is home. My parents moved here eventually, and it all kind of worked out. I look at history like that, and I think, “Wow, I’ve been in a place where even 150 years, I’ve shared in 40 plus years of that in my own personal life.” It’s not a big deal to the rest of everybody listening. But to me, I stand back and sometimes I’m in awe of just being in a place where I’m able to say I’ve shared in some of that. I don’t know. It comforts me.
Gary Miles:
Well, the history of Michigan is quite rich, and the history of Michigan’s contributions nationally and even internationally is rich. One of the things we’re doing is counting down 150 of the biggest newsmakers. I think we’re in the ’90s or maybe in the ’80s now, towards our actual anniversary date. Some of those folks, you barely heard of or remember. I think of Arthur Vandenberg, the senator, who talked about politics at the coast, essentially at the oceans, talking about the importance of being unified abroad even if we are divided internally. That was a prominent speech in the 1940s, and yet, you don’t hear people mentioning him very much anymore.
Well, the history of Michigan is quite rich, and the history of Michigan’s contributions nationally and even internationally is rich. One of the things we’re doing is counting down 150 of the biggest newsmakers. I think we’re in the ’90s or maybe in the ’80s now, towards our actual anniversary date. Some of those folks, you barely heard of or remember. I think of Arthur Vandenberg, the senator, who talked about politics at the coast, essentially at the oceans, talking about the importance of being unified abroad even if we are divided internally. That was a prominent speech in the 1940s, and yet, you don’t hear people mentioning him very much anymore.
Chuck Gaidica:
How does that inform reporters, editors, publishers today? When you look at that history, is that something that you try to instill on staff, or is everything moving at the speed of light so fast it’s hard to even reflect?
How does that inform reporters, editors, publishers today? When you look at that history, is that something that you try to instill on staff, or is everything moving at the speed of light so fast it’s hard to even reflect?
Gary Miles:
Well, I think the way it informs is that we are reporting the first draft of history. The things that are happening today might just seem like another day of reporting, but may actually have a pronounced and lasting effect. The contributions we can all make, whether in our jobs or in helping Michigan move forward, are important as well.
Well, I think the way it informs is that we are reporting the first draft of history. The things that are happening today might just seem like another day of reporting, but may actually have a pronounced and lasting effect. The contributions we can all make, whether in our jobs or in helping Michigan move forward, are important as well.
Chuck Gaidica:
Is it by decade that you’re actually going through time and dealing with that history as you come forward now? You said the ’80s, you’re moving into the ’90s.
Is it by decade that you’re actually going through time and dealing with that history as you come forward now? You said the ’80s, you’re moving into the ’90s.
Gary Miles:
Well, what we’ve done is we sort of ranked the top newsmakers of 150 years, and we’re counting down them to number one, which we’ll do [inaudible 00:58:08] week. These newsmakers aren’t all people who made great contributions. We’re all saints and sinners, I suppose. There are tragic figures who also are not necessarily to be proud of, but played a significant impact on the history of the nation or the state.
Well, what we’ve done is we sort of ranked the top newsmakers of 150 years, and we’re counting down them to number one, which we’ll do [inaudible 00:58:08] week. These newsmakers aren’t all people who made great contributions. We’re all saints and sinners, I suppose. There are tragic figures who also are not necessarily to be proud of, but played a significant impact on the history of the nation or the state.
Chuck Gaidica:
How many years have you been at the News?
How many years have you been at the News?
Gary Miles:
I’ve been at the News 23 years.
I’ve been at the News 23 years.
Chuck Gaidica:
How has that time impacted you as you’ve looked at this project?
How has that time impacted you as you’ve looked at this project?
Gary Miles:
Well, you think about the major moments just in the 23 years. My second day at the Detroit News was the 2000 election, which lasted for another two months. Then you think about the blackout where we all had to move our production facilities to get out a paper. I’m not even sure what the broadcast folks did during that.
Well, you think about the major moments just in the 23 years. My second day at the Detroit News was the 2000 election, which lasted for another two months. Then you think about the blackout where we all had to move our production facilities to get out a paper. I’m not even sure what the broadcast folks did during that.
Chuck Gaidica:
Are you talking about during COVID?
Are you talking about during COVID?
Gary Miles:
No, the power blackout-
No, the power blackout-
Chuck Gaidica:
Oh, yeah, yeah.
Oh, yeah, yeah.
Gary Miles:
… in, what was it, 2003. I don’t remember.
… in, what was it, 2003. I don’t remember.
Chuck Gaidica:
Well the generators kicked on, I know that.
Well the generators kicked on, I know that.
Gary Miles:
Oh, that’s good. So you think about the major moments, it certainly has impacted me at the time at the News and some of the things that have happened in the past. It’s interesting to reflect on 9/11 and those kinds of things and the coverage that you did at the time and how it impacted you at the time, but also how you look back at those extra editions and that kind of thing that we did at the time and say, “Wow, this is a real piece of history.”
Oh, that’s good. So you think about the major moments, it certainly has impacted me at the time at the News and some of the things that have happened in the past. It’s interesting to reflect on 9/11 and those kinds of things and the coverage that you did at the time and how it impacted you at the time, but also how you look back at those extra editions and that kind of thing that we did at the time and say, “Wow, this is a real piece of history.”
Chuck Gaidica:
As you look now forward, are you looking at specifics, this countdown to one key newsmaker over 150 years? Who gets to sit at that table? I assume you’re at it, or are you the guy, the key decision maker?
As you look now forward, are you looking at specifics, this countdown to one key newsmaker over 150 years? Who gets to sit at that table? I assume you’re at it, or are you the guy, the key decision maker?
Gary Miles:
Well, there was a group of folks at the Detroit News that sifted through. We started with more than a thousand different folks. You’d cull from our Halls of Fame, whether it’s sports or women’s Hall of Fame or in different fields. So it’s been a fun exercise, contentious at times, but a fun exercise. There are a lot of outstanding newsmakers.
Well, there was a group of folks at the Detroit News that sifted through. We started with more than a thousand different folks. You’d cull from our Halls of Fame, whether it’s sports or women’s Hall of Fame or in different fields. So it’s been a fun exercise, contentious at times, but a fun exercise. There are a lot of outstanding newsmakers.
Chuck Gaidica:
And sinners and saints or both. Maybe they’re the same person, because that’s not uncommon.
And sinners and saints or both. Maybe they’re the same person, because that’s not uncommon.
Gary Miles:
Well, exactly. That’s kind of the point. We might have said, “Well, what about people who don’t have such glorious pasts?” It’s like, well, how many people can say that they’ve never done anything that anyone’s taken offense to. Then there are some who have… I mean, Terry Nichols is on the list, a Michiganian, grew up here and obviously had an impact, not just in the Oklahoma City bombing, but everything that came after, with tightened regulations around access to buildings and those kinds of things. So not a positive impact, but absolutely a newsmaker over this 150 years.
Well, exactly. That’s kind of the point. We might have said, “Well, what about people who don’t have such glorious pasts?” It’s like, well, how many people can say that they’ve never done anything that anyone’s taken offense to. Then there are some who have… I mean, Terry Nichols is on the list, a Michiganian, grew up here and obviously had an impact, not just in the Oklahoma City bombing, but everything that came after, with tightened regulations around access to buildings and those kinds of things. So not a positive impact, but absolutely a newsmaker over this 150 years.
Chuck Gaidica:
Talk about moving forward in this new digital age, the power of storytelling and why that’s important that we hang on to that.
Talk about moving forward in this new digital age, the power of storytelling and why that’s important that we hang on to that.
Gary Miles:
Well, it’s a great point because we certainly have an enormous number of readers in print, when we were print exclusively. Last month, which was even a bit of a low month, we had 3.2 million visitors to our website. So people are moving in the digital age. But it is important to tell stories in a way that compel people because that’s what brings you back. I think of your story that you recounted just previous to this, where when you moved to the ministry, it was a big news story and it brought a lot of people in, not just to our site, but to yours as well. That goes along with the more bigger-picture journalism that we do every day, and people need a mix of both. Just like they love to read about the Tigers or the Lions, you have to have the rich tapestry that brings people back. As we sometimes say, give them the vegetables as well as the dessert.
Well, it’s a great point because we certainly have an enormous number of readers in print, when we were print exclusively. Last month, which was even a bit of a low month, we had 3.2 million visitors to our website. So people are moving in the digital age. But it is important to tell stories in a way that compel people because that’s what brings you back. I think of your story that you recounted just previous to this, where when you moved to the ministry, it was a big news story and it brought a lot of people in, not just to our site, but to yours as well. That goes along with the more bigger-picture journalism that we do every day, and people need a mix of both. Just like they love to read about the Tigers or the Lions, you have to have the rich tapestry that brings people back. As we sometimes say, give them the vegetables as well as the dessert.
Chuck Gaidica:
Well, but of course, there’s an age demographic maybe biased to that, but the idea that you’re able to get an editorial, sports, you’re able to get those things all in one place is still kind of a well-rounded way of looking at a world where it seems like we’ve become more contentious because all we want is one side or the other.
Well, but of course, there’s an age demographic maybe biased to that, but the idea that you’re able to get an editorial, sports, you’re able to get those things all in one place is still kind of a well-rounded way of looking at a world where it seems like we’ve become more contentious because all we want is one side or the other.
Gary Miles:
The benefit of a general news site, I think, still in a region like Detroit is you do get a little bit of everything. Right now our sports teams are down. Those fans aren’t coming in in tremendous amounts. We don’t have an election that’s really contentious, so we’re not getting a lot of those folks. But all those things even out over time. So that brings people back. With every news alert or newsletter, people might see something that interests them, brings them in, and they’ll read more and be more informed citizens about everything that’s going on, we hope.
The benefit of a general news site, I think, still in a region like Detroit is you do get a little bit of everything. Right now our sports teams are down. Those fans aren’t coming in in tremendous amounts. We don’t have an election that’s really contentious, so we’re not getting a lot of those folks. But all those things even out over time. So that brings people back. With every news alert or newsletter, people might see something that interests them, brings them in, and they’ll read more and be more informed citizens about everything that’s going on, we hope.
Chuck Gaidica:
If we had another hour, I’d love to talk about just the future, because to me that’s fascinating to figure out for all of us what that’s going to mean.
If we had another hour, I’d love to talk about just the future, because to me that’s fascinating to figure out for all of us what that’s going to mean.
Gary Miles:
It’s changing so fast all the time. I was telling Becky last night that now it’s like people are more reluctant to come to homepages of websites. They want the news delivered to them just like they did when there was a newspaper boy on the corner and would hand it out downtown. Eventually, they wanted it delivered to their home, so we delivered it to their home. Now they’re more reluctant, it seems, to come to homepages, so they want newsletters and other alerts to get the news delivered to them.
It’s changing so fast all the time. I was telling Becky last night that now it’s like people are more reluctant to come to homepages of websites. They want the news delivered to them just like they did when there was a newspaper boy on the corner and would hand it out downtown. Eventually, they wanted it delivered to their home, so we delivered it to their home. Now they’re more reluctant, it seems, to come to homepages, so they want newsletters and other alerts to get the news delivered to them.
Chuck Gaidica:
That’s intriguing. Will that be part of the future, you think, of very specific needs being delivered to my mailbox?
That’s intriguing. Will that be part of the future, you think, of very specific needs being delivered to my mailbox?
Gary Miles:
Yeah, I do. I think there will be different ways. You’re even hearing about different social media so that it’s not widespread, but that you’ve got a community just of your people that you’re sharing things with that’s not on a Facebook or a Twitter.
Yeah, I do. I think there will be different ways. You’re even hearing about different social media so that it’s not widespread, but that you’ve got a community just of your people that you’re sharing things with that’s not on a Facebook or a Twitter.
Chuck Gaidica:
We’ve got a book another hour. We’ve got to talk about just the future.
We’ve got a book another hour. We’ve got to talk about just the future.
Gary Miles:
That’d be fun.
That’d be fun.
Chuck Gaidica:
Gary, good to see you.
Gary, good to see you.
Gary Miles:
You too. Thank you.
You too. Thank you.
Chuck Gaidica:
Thanks for dropping by. Gary Miles, editor and publisher of the Detroit News. Thanks for listening to A Healthier Michigan podcast, brought to you by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. If you like our show and you want to know more, check us out at ahealthiermichigan.org/podcast or leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. To get new episodes on your smartphone or tablet, be sure to subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.
Thanks for dropping by. Gary Miles, editor and publisher of the Detroit News. Thanks for listening to A Healthier Michigan podcast, brought to you by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. If you like our show and you want to know more, check us out at ahealthiermichigan.org/podcast or leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. To get new episodes on your smartphone or tablet, be sure to subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.
