Thank you to everyone who answered my questions about Michigan history related speakers. I received a lot of answers and will be exploring some of these options further. For those who asked, this is what I received: We just had Mike Fornes talk about the USCGC Mackinaw. He gave a very interesting and entertaining presentation and sold his books at the end. He also does a Mackinaw Bridge presentation as well as the Edmund Fitzgerald. If interested, I can send you his contact information. He charges $250.00 (*Mary Vergowven, Reference Librarian, Bedford Branch, Library,Monroe County Library System)* I have worked with the Eichers multiple times. They do wonderful programs. That said, they are VERY enthusiastic about promoting their programs. So if you inquire with them, be prepared for multiple emails and phone calls, both before and after you book them, and during the next programming cycle. (Britney, Library Director , Alvah N. Belding Memorial Library ) I’d suggest Roger Rosentreter from the History Department at Michigan State University. I find his presentations fascinating. He usually speaks on Michigan in the Civil War and/or Michigan Military History. All his talks are well illustrated with projected visuals. See URL below for biographical sketch. ( http://history.msu.edu/people/faculty/roger-rosentreter/) Le Roy G. Barnett, Grand Ledge MI We’re going to have Ric Mixter, shipwrecks expert, do a program on the sinking on the Edmund Fitzgerald in the fall. http://www.ricmixter.com/lectures. Our program description will read: Learn about the day that the “gales of November came early” and the Mighty Fitz took its fatal plunge. Shipwreck expert Ric Mixter, who has produced over thirty programs for PBS, the Outdoor Channel and VisionTV network, is a captivating speaker who will share his extensive knowledge, along with underwater video. (Eileen Button, GDL Community Relations Asst.) We’ve had Al and Dave for several programs. They do excellent work. Their programs are engaging and very well done. I especially like the Amelia Earhart program and the orphan train program. We liked them so well that we had them produce a documentary film about our own historic Hoyt Library. (Kim White, Head of Hoyt Library, Public Libraries of Saginaw) We were contacted by this person, but we have not used him for a program yet, probably be this Fall. Maybe he has a presentation relating the Civil War and Michigan: It was a pleasure speaking with you this afternoon. You can take a look at my work at www.civilwarnovels.com In addition to writing, I give talks at service club meetings and libraries. I can be contacted at this e mail address or by phone at 989 2458656. Dr. Michael J. Deeb Author: Duty and Honor Phone: (989) 245 8656 Website: www.civilwarnovels.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Michael-J-Deeb/1168646976 Blog: http://civilwarnovels.blogspot.com/ (Nancy L Harper, Library Director, White Cloud) I haven’t had the speakers you mentioned, but we do a lot of Michigan history programs here. These are a few of the speakers we have had who have been good. Most of them have been here multiple times: - Russell Dore, doreproductions@yahoo.com (auto, aviation, and presidential history) - Michael Hauser, mhauser@motopera.org (Detroit retail and theaters) - Joe Oldenburg, zed796@gmail.com (prohibition, Michigan statehood, auto industry) - Tobin Buhk, tobin@tobinbuhk.com (true crime stories) - Gail Offen & Jon Milan, gmoffen@gmail.com (Grand River Ave, Ann Arbor restaurants) - Tom Stanton, stanton.th@gmail.com (Detroit Tigers history) Amy Crockett Outreach Services Clerk Hamburg Township Library I've had Al and Dave Eicher come for two presentations while I've been a part of the Adult Services Department at the Auburn Hills Public Library and I know we also used them before I started as well. They are very engaging presenters and always draw in a crowd for our older patrons who like to hear about historical topics. We just did When Hollywood Went to War a couple of months ago and got a lot of good feedback from the public on it. The only drawback is that Al and Dave can be a bit expensive depending on your budget. (Joshua Campeau, Adult Services Librarian, Auburn Hills Public Library) You might try the Michigan History Center <https://www.michigan.gov/mhc/0,4726,7-282-61086-456547--,00.html> in Lansing to see if they have anyone available. (Cindy Krueger, Marketing & Outreach, Dept. of Natural Resources) Al and Dave Eicher are very good and easy to work with. (Barb King,St. Clair County Library) Our local historical society and friends have had Mike Fornes speak on the history of the Mackinaw bridge and also he did his Gordon Lightfoot tribute program. He gets good reviews. http://hsmichigan.org/resources/storytellers-speakers-performers/presenter-m... Also, many friends groups at our branches and the local historical societies have had Ric Mixter, also with good reviews. http://www.ricmixter.com/ (Arleen Wood, Iosco-Arenac) My name is Tim Gleisner and I am the Head of the Special Collections at the Library of Michigan. I was forwarded your Michlib post on any possible Michigan History speakers. I just wanted to make you aware that myself and Matt Pacer, both of the Library of Michigan, present on Michigan Historical and Genealogical topics throughout the state at libraries and societies. Our fee is free since this would be through our work at the Library of Michigan.Please feel free in contacting me if you are at all interested. (Tim Gleisner) We've had Jack Dempsey, 2-time MI Notable Book author, at our library twice over the years. His MI Notable books were: 2012's Michigan and the Civil War: A Great and Bloody Sacrifice, and Ink Trails: Michigan's Famous & Forgotten Authors in 2013. He's published a sequel to Ink Trails since then, as well as a book about Michigan at Antietam (the single bloodiest day of the Civil War), and a book on Capitol Park in downtown Detroit. He was well-received, especially the Civil War-related program. Jack is both knowledgeable and very personable. Here's his contact info if you're interested: John M. (Jack) Dempsey 9400 Northhampton Dr. Plymouth, MI 48170 734-358-5752 jdempsey@dickinson-wright.com This past fall we had Tom Carr, author of Blood on the Mitten: Infamous Michigan Murders 1700s to Present. True crime remains a popular genre, and add in the Michigan element and even moreso. Here's his contact info. as well: Tom Carr 6420 W. Four Rd. <https://maps.google.com/?q=6420+W.+Four+Rd.+Mesick,+MI+49668&entry=gmail&source=g> Mesick, MI 49668 <https://maps.google.com/?q=6420+W.+Four+Rd.+Mesick,+MI+49668&entry=gmail&source=g> 231-409-6074 thomasrobertcarr@gmail.com (David M. Stokes, Adult Services Librarian, Milford Public Library) I've worked with Al and Dave in the past. They did a presentation on the orphan train in Michigan which was great. They are a bit pricey. I seem to remember them charging about $500 for their presentations. I would suggest contacting Arcadia Press ( https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/Home). They publish the "Images of America" series and have a lot of books on MI history. I have worked with them many times. The authors are wonderful and I can usually get a speaker for $75-$100. I would also recommend contacting WSU Press (http://www.wsupress.wayne.edu/). I have had a lot of luck getting MI history speakers from them too. (Jillian Baker, Head of Adult Services, Main Library,Farmington Community Library) I am new to this position but my staff have strong opinions about Al and Dave Eicher. They do not recommend them. While the content is factual the presentation is not interesting and doesn’t capture the audience’s attention very well. Sorry to say. We have recently had Derek Blount, Vice President of the Oakland County Genealogical Society give a talk on finding out about ancestry through ship manifests and other voyage documents. He was very well received and interesting. Don’t know if that fits with Michigan history that you’re looking for but he may be open to discussing it. (Terrie, Midland) Margaret Bentley Adult Services Librarian Shiawassee District Library--Owosso 502 W. Main Street Owosso, Michigan 48867 989-725-5134