WESTLAND – State Representative Richard LeBlanc (D-Westland) encourages local fourth grade students to become historians and enter the Michigan Historic Preservation Network's "Our Historic Places" contest.
"This is a great way for our talented young people to share their own perspective on where they live and what's historical in our community," said LeBlanc, a lifetime member of the Westland Historical Society. "I encourage all area fourth graders to enter the Michigan Historic Preservation Network's contest. It's a great way to explore our community's heritage and culture."
This year, the Michigan Historic Preservation Network's contest includes essay and photo divisions. Entries should briefly describe a historic site, explain its significance to the local community and Michigan, and discuss the importance of its preservation for both the student and future generations.
Historic sites in the student's community can include homes, commercial buildings, schools, houses of worship, farms, cemeteries, bridges, or other sites. The chosen site should be at least fifty years old.
Essay entries should be no more than 500 words. Photo entries should include a single mounted print and a 150-word essay explaining why the site in the photo is significant.
A statewide grand prize and regional prizes to three winners from each of four Michigan regions will be awarded in both the essay and photo divisions. Certificates of participation are awarded to all participants.
The contest entry deadline is March 30, 2009. For more information, visit www.mhpn.org or call 517-371-8080.