Join storyteller Lois Keel as she tells the story of “Hello Girl” Oleda Joure-Christides, a phone operator during the First World War. Oleda was a teenager in Michigan during the war and engaged in the 60 year fight for operators to achieve veteran status.
This event will take place May 27 at 2 PM at the Carnegie Library.
*Update: Due to branch closings, this event has been cancelled.*
Join storyteller Lois Keel as she tells the story of “Hello Girl” Oleda Joure Christides, a phone operator during the First World War. Oleda was a teenage in Michigan during the war and engaged in the 60 year fight for operators to achieve veteran status.
Honor the anniversary of Pearl Harbor with a special presentation as part of Larry Martin’s “WWII In Their Own Words.”
Larry will be showing an interview with Jackson Native Herb Elfring, who was stationed at Pearl Harbor.
This event will take place December 8 at 6 PM at the Carnegie Library. You can also watch this program via Zoom and Facebook Live. To join on Zoom, click here.
Join us at the Carnegie Library to see interviews with WWII veterans presented by local historian Larry Martin.
September 10: Charles McClelland was aboard the USS Helena in the Pacific and was involved in naval battles around the Guadalcanal area. The Helena was escorting the USS Juneau away from a battle when the Juneau was hit by a Japanese Torpedo, which sunk the ship in 12 seconds. The Helena was later sunk on July 5, 1943, with Charles spending four days in the water before being washed onto a Japanese-held island.
October 1: Bob Liberty served in the US Navy, and was aboard the naval destroyer USS Tingey. He was in many battles including the Battle of the Philippine Sea (the Marianas Turkey Shoot) as well as the naval battle of Okinawa. The Tingey was also was in what was called “Halsey’s Typhon” which sank four destroyers with the loss of about 750 men with winds at 140 mph and waves 70 feet high.
Join us at the Carnegie Library to see interviews with WWII veterans presented by local historian Larry Martin.
September 10: Charles McClelland was aboard the USS Helena in the Pacific and was involved in naval battles around the Guadalcanal area. The Helena was escorting the USS Juneau away from a battle when the Juneau was hit by a Japanese Torpedo, which sunk the ship in 12 seconds. The Helena was later sunk on July 5, 1943, with Charles spending four days in the water before being washed onto a Japanese-held island.
October 1: Bob Liberty served in the US Navy, and was aboard the naval destroyer USS Tingey. He was in many battles including the Battle of the Philippine Sea (the Marianas Turkey Shoot) as well as the naval battle of Okinawa. The Tingey was also was in what was called “Halsey’s Typhon” which sank four destroyers with the loss of about 750 men with winds at 140 mph and waves 70 feet high.
Join us for a virtual presentation by Laura Tohe Ph.D., the daughter of a Navajo Code Talker. This event will take place on Zoom.
The recording of this program will be available for viewing until August 15. Watch the recording here.
Take-and-make craft kits for making a Navajo style bracelet using colors and symbols that are significant to Navajo culture will be available at all JDL branches starting August 8.
Who are the Navajo Code Talkers? The Navajo Code Talkers are often-forgotten heroes of World War II. The Navajo created an unbreakable code, using their indigenous language to transmit sensitive information during the war. The code helped win the war in the Pacific and, undoubtedly, saved thousands of lives.
Join us at the Summit Branch as Southern Lower Peninsula Historian Laurie Perkins takes you on a trip through two of Michigan’s majestic lighthouses—one in Copper Harbor at the tip of the Kewanee Peninsula and the other at Tawas Point on the sunrise side of the State.
Space is limited and registration is required. Please call 517-783-4030 to register.
About the Presenter:
Laurie Perkins is the Site Historian for the Tawas Point Lighthouse, the Mann House in Concord and Walker Tavern Historic Site near Brooklyn. She has worked for the Michigan History Center for 33 years. Laurie lives in a restored 1880 farmhouse near Grand Ledge with her husband Eric.
Michigan’s thousands of miles of coastline where once protected by more than one hundred lighthouses. Now mostly private residences, tourist destinations or bed and breakfasts, Michigan’s Lighthouses no longer shine as they once did, expect for two, which are cared for by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan History Center.
This exhibit features educational and multimedia displays to help all ages learn about the events of September 11, 2001, through the personal stories of those who witnessed and survived the attacks.
Lesson plans and take-home activities are available. Contact the Concord Branch to request additional materials at Concord@myjdl.com.
This exhibit will be on display at the Concord Auditorium September 1-17 during open hours.
Join us in celebrating Constitution and Citizenship Day! On September 17, 1776, the Founding Fathers signed the U.S. Constitution. Each year, on September 17, Americans celebrate the Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. We recognize the duties of citizenship as outlined by our Constitution and celebrate those taking steps to become U.S. citizens.
Stop by the Carnegie Library for more information on the history of our Constitution and resources for the naturalization process.
Join us at the Summit Branch and learn about the immigrants who helped to shape Jackson’s history. Presented by local historian, Sue Weible.
Please call the Summit Branch at 517-783-4030 for more information.