NOVEMBER 29, 2024 ANN ARBOR GROUNDCOVER NEWS What’s AADL commemorates bicentennial JASMEHER SINGH U-M student contributor As a newer resident of Ann Arbor, I couldn’t tell you the first thing about who we are as a city. I would describe Ann Arbor as a diverse place that gives small-town vibes with some hustle and bustle that bigger towns provide. I might talk about the small businesses, the University and the residents who live in neighborhoods across the city. But I would never have the full picture of what the city of Ann Arbor is and what it means for the people who have lived here. The Ann Arbor District Library is providing just that. People who love the city of Ann Arbor will get an insider look into what Ann Arbor is all about. The celebration of our bicentennial, 200 years since the city of Ann Arbor was founded, not only provides us with a timeline of this city, but also tells us about the people who lived here from 1824 through the present. Through the timeline exhibit about Ann Arbor located at the AADL-downtown branch, a digital content archive with over 200 media projects that tell us about the story of Ann Arbor, and walking tours that take us to hidden and popular places across the city, the AADL has done a tremendous job answering the question “Who Are We?” as a city. The exhibit, located on the AADL-downtown’s second floor, showcases a timeline of the history of Ann Arbor. According to the Ann Arbor Bicentennial, in 1824 the city of Ann Arbor was founded by John Allen and Elisha Rumsey and it soon became a town where pioneers could settle. The city grew more in 1837 when Michigan was admitted into the Union and the University of Michigan relocated from Detroit to Ann Arbor. In the late 1800s, many institutions such as medical schools, high schools, businesses and churches formed and flourished. The early 1900s saw the University of Michigan winning national championships in football. While other cities suffered during the Great Depression, Ann Arbor somewhat thrived. The late 1960s and 70s were dominated by student activism while the 80s and 90s had students emerging in a cultural era. In the 21st century, Ann Arbor grew even more with new markets and housing expanding across the city. Ann Arbor’s rich history tells us a bit of background about what kind of city Ann Arbor continues to be. Anyone can learn about the city of Ann Arbor by going online and looking through Ann Arbor 200, a digital content archive on the AADL's website [aadl.org/annarbor200] which explores different topics through podcasts, articles, documentaries, illustrations, music recordings, animations and more. There are interviews showcasing high school teachers, owners of small businesses such as Sweetwaters and The Ark, the manager at the Michigan Theater for the last 40 years, and the Rationals aka Ann Arbor’s Beatles. Other forms of media include posters, maps, cardboard cutouts of Ann Arbor buildings and more which showcase some of the amazing talents of artists across Ann Arbor. One piece of art on the website is a map detailing all the natural spots across Ann Arbor including trails along the Huron River and native species. People can look at the art online and buy it in print through the Ann Arbor 200 website or find it at the new exhibit that opened in early November. These forms of media tell us stories about how Ann Arbor came to be and the people within it. In addition to the history exhibit and the digital content archive, the AADL has also introduced A2 SmartTours which includes 177 tours spanning all of Ann Arbor. These locations all include a narrative that describes the significance of the place along with a picture of what it looks like. These walking tours can be downloaded as an app on your phone. People who have completed the tour checklist can go to City Hall and get recognized for this endeavor. Some popular touring spots in Ann Arbor are included on the Ann Arbor highlights tour which consists of the Big House, the Michigan Theater, the Arboretum, the Campus Diag, and the Ann Arbor District Library. The best part is that all these places are free to visit to learn more about! Through this celebration, residents of Ann Arbor and visitors can gain a full understanding of who we are as the city of Ann Arbor by looking at its rich history and the people who exist within it today. Bicentennial C losing Ceremony The City's final bicentennial celebration is on Saturday, December 14 at Skyline High School. The reception and art exhibit will begin at 6 p.m. with the formal program following at 8 p.m. The event will include refreshments, an art exhibit, commemorative pictures, Aerie oral history program, interactive Tree of Hopes and Dreams, a “The next 100 years” performance by area high school musicians, stage production of “Ann Arbor then, now, next," bicentennial poem by Aaron Dworkin and a showing of CTN's happy birthday Ann Arbor video. Tickets can be purchased online at a2bicentennial.org and are $10 per person. Happening at the Ann Arbor District Library Open 10am–8pm Daily Hang out in any of our five locations across town, browsing books, magazines, newspapers, and more, or check out movies, CDs, art prints, musical instruments, and home tools— you name it! Study and meeting rooms, fast and free WiFi, and plenty of places to sit and hang out. Preschool Storytimes and Baby Playgroups Join our storytellers on weekdays inside the library for fun songs, stories, puppets, and moement! Visit aadl.org/storytimes to view a list of upcoming in-person storytimes and playgroups. You can also stream and download our recorded storytimes online at AADL.TV. Fifth Avenue Press AADL founded Fifth Avenue Press in 2017 to support the local writing community and promote the creation of original content. The imprint publishes works by authors who live in Washtenaw County. Consider sibmitting your finished manuscript to Fifth Avenue Press today at fifthave. aadl.org. FEATURED EVENT 5 Sat, December 14 • 11am–6pm Downtown Library Tiny Expo is back! The annual indie art and craft show features over 80 artists and crafters selling unique, handmade creations. Check out aadl.org/tinyexpo to get a sneek peek at this year’s vendors, FAQ’s, and more.
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