Algonac-Clay Township Historical Society among the winners
By Barb Pert Templeton
Finding a variety of opportunities to expand and upgrade artifacts storage and digitization capabilities, are just some of the ways that nearly $1 million in America250MI grants will be used to help preserve and promote Michigan’s stories for future generations. The Michigan History Center and Historical Society of Michigan recently announced 50-plus communities and organizations that will share these Round 1 funds in the America250MI History Grant Program.
“Michigan’s story is defined by generations of hardworking people who knew how to get stuff done,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “As we gear up to celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary, let’s uplift their stories and make sure that they are passed on to future generations. The America250MI projects will remind us all of the fundamental values that define what it means to be an American and a Michigander – that you work hard and take care of your community.”
The second round of applications will open Nov. 1, 2025, and close Jan. 15, 2026. To stay up to date about Round 2, visit the America250MI website.
Algonac-Clay Township Historical Society was awarded a $4,425 Digital Archiving Grant to preserve the maritime history along the St. Clair River.
The Algonac-Clay Historical Society currently boasts over 180 memberships and 36 business sponsors. The group operates the local history museum.
Blue Water Healthy Living caught up with Algonac-Clay Historical Society member Dennis Dureno who applied for the grant, to find out more about the project.
Blue Water Healthy Living: When did you apply for this grant?
Dennis Dureno: April 14, 2025.
BWHL: What was the project that you outlined in the grant application?
Dureno: Preserving the Community and Maritime History Along the St. Clair River.
BWHL: Does this $4,425 award only fund part of the project you proposed or all of it?
Dureno: Yes, this will be an ongoing project, but this initial investment is the first step into digitizing some of the hard copy documents, DVD’s and CD’s of recorded histories currently located in our museums. We want to use this as a prototype of a system to digitizing the large number of records, the museum has conserved in an effort to make them more accessible to the public while not harming the original artifact.
BWHL: Can you explain a bit about how you will work to preserve Maritime History along the St. Clair River?
Dureno: This will require defining a project process then reviewing, scanning, categorizing our maritime and community documents into files that can be accessed by users. We will identify an area, or category of data in the museum that people seem to access regularly. We then will develop a process for scanning this data into a digital format, then enter these files into a searchable database that can store these data files, yet make them easily searchable for museum patrons. We can then securely store the original documents so they will not be damaged from repeated handling.
BWHL: How many members of the society will be involved in the project?
Dureno: Initially one or two people will work together to define a procedure for scanning and recording the data, as well as to identify the initial material(s) to work on. Additional resources and manpower will be used as we gain confidence in the procedures we have developed. This will require additional funding resources.
BWHL: Is it already in progress or will you begin it now that you have funding?
Dureno: We will wait until funding is received, but research of technology options has been started.
BWHL: Will the society be applying for the second round of the grant funding this coming November?
Dureno: We will certainly be submitting additional grant requests for this ongoing project as we build on the first steps of the program. We might submit a grant request in the fall for our Community Museum that currently needs extensive work.
BWHL: Were you surprised to be awarded nearly $5,000 for your project? How were you notified?
Dureno: Yes. An email from the Historical Society of Michigan.
BWHL: Can you share a bit of information about the Algonac-Clay Township Historical Society today? # of members? How often you meet? Community projects/events you are involved in?
Dureno: We currently have over 180 memberships and 36 business sponsors. We have monthly board and general membership meetings, in addition to these, we also have various committees who meet monthly or as required, such as fundraising and planning. They also meet for each event we are involved in. We manage and maintain buildings at three separate physical locations in our communities, all are maintained without regular funding from our local governments supported by hard work, creative fundraising, grants, gift shop, and donations from our members.
To find out more about the Algonac-Clay Township Historical Society visit their website achistory.com.
