Tag Archives: History

Forging relationships at the Factory Two makerspace (Video)

Thomas Henthorn, the Dorothea E. Wyatt Professor of United States History at UM-Flint, teaches students and community members about the art of blacksmithing at the Factory Two makerspace.

Factory Two is a community makerspace located in the heart of downtown Flint. The space provides tools, equipment and training for those eager to learn. Members can access cutting-edge technology like 3D printers and drones and time-honored traditions in the wood and metal shops to make items as delicate as jewelry or as durable as[…]

Revolution and Resilience: UM-Flint students can travel to Cuba for (essentially) free

UM-Flint faculty members Stephanie Vidaillet Gelderloos (front) and Thomas Henthorn (rear) will be leading students on a funded trip to Cuba in 2025. They are pictured here near a mural in Viñales, Cuba, approximately 114 miles southwest of Havana.

Despite being just 100 miles off of Key West, Florida, it can seem that Cuba is a world away. Since the U.S. embargo against the island country first began in 1960, the Caribbean nation has been largely isolated – politically and economically – from its neighbor to the north. But despite the embargo and restricted[…]

UM-Flint professor explains the Celtic origins of Halloween

John Ellis, UM-Flint professor of history, recently spoke on the Celtic origins of Halloween ahead of a faculty-led trip to Dublin, Ireland.

So you've set up the 12-foot skeleton in your front yard, spent a whole paycheck on candy for the neighborhood kids, and dusted off your Dracula cape. But did you know that Halloween traditions like carving pumpkins, wearing costumes and sharing ghost stories stem from Celtic traditions and customs? A group of UM-Flint students will[…]

UM-Flint history professor honored with U-M Regents' Award for Public Service

Thomas Henthorn, the Dorothea E. Wyatt Professor of United States History at the University of Michigan-Flint.

One might think that studying history is only about learning about the past, but for Thomas Henthorn, the Dorothea E. Wyatt Professor of United States History at the University of Michigan-Flint, it's also a gateway to the present and future.  Case in point, Henthorn empowers his students to influence Flint's contemporary community meaningfully by engaging[…]

UM-Flint unveils trailblazing cannabis-centric course

“The History and Culture of Cannabis" is the first course covering the plant to be taught at UM-Flint.

Students in one new University of Michigan-Flint course are hoping for "high" marks this fall as they delve into the past, present and future of one of the country's newest cash crops.  The course, titled "The History and Culture of Cannabis," examines cannabis' deep roots in global history, the traditions of its use and its[…]

UM-Flint history program's cemetery preservation project receives $15K gift

The UM-Flint Cemetery Preservation team (pictured left to right: Lisa Horn of Novi, Wendy Kimberly of Fort Gratiot, Izzy Guertin of Fenton and Mary Ann Kost of Linden) pose in front of a gantry crane at Old Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Flint.

Some University of Michigan-Flint history majors are ready to dig in and get their hands dirty to preserve local cemeteries and additional funding from the A.G. Bishop Charitable Trust is ensuring the ongoing project will continue. Each summer for the past seven years Thomas Henthorn, associate professor of history, and a team of interns have[…]

UM-Flint alum works to keep legacy of Whaley House alive

UM-Flint history alum Izzy Guertin is keeping Flint's history live as director of Whaley House Museum.

If the walls of the Whaley Historic House Museum could talk, the variety of stories they could share about the family who lived there and the transformations that have taken place – both at the home and in the neighborhood – throughout the past 138 years would be enthralling. And it's that type of environment[…]

UM-Flint professor appointed to Michigan Veterans' Memorial Park Commission

Gregory Havrilcsak, a UM-Flint history lecturer, was recently appointed to the Michigan Veterans’ Memorial Park Commission for a two-year term beginning this month.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has tasked one University of Michigan-Flint faculty member with working to preserve an important monument in Lansing.  Gregory Havrilcsak, a UM-Flint history lecturer, was recently appointed by the second-term governor to join the Michigan Veterans' Memorial Park Commission for a two-year term beginning this month.  The commission advises on the development, management[…]

UM-Flint alum, history student work together in archive digitization project

UM-Flint alum Rachel Stock and history student Nicholas Harvey are working to digitize archive collections at the Cromaine District Library in Hartland.

A University of Michigan-Flint alum is diligently working to ensure that Hartland residents can easily access information from the past and is doing so with a current UM-Flint history student to make it happen.  Clio resident Rachel Stock, a 2016 UM-Flint graduate with a bachelor's degree in history and two-time Wyatt Endowment scholar, works as[…]

UM-Flint's Genesee Historical Collections Center now home to 19th century documents

UM-Flint history student Michael Laskowski worked in the Genesee Historical Collections Center archives at UM-Flint this summer. (Photo Credit: Madeline Campbell)

Thanks to a treasure trove of newly acquired materials by the University of Michigan-Flint, taking a trip back in time has never been easier. And it doesn't require the assistance of either a modified DeLorean or a Wayback Machine. Courtesy of documents that were originally housed in the basement of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in[…]