Storytellers, Speakers, Performers
Storytellers | Speakers | Performers
Welcome to the Historical Society of Michigan’s directory of Storytellers, Speakers, and Musicians. Years ago, HSM maintained an index-card “Speakers Bureau” and provided referrals over the phone or by mail. This online resource is designed as a useful tool to identify people or groups that you might like to contact for your history-related event. All of the entries on our list have a connection to Michigan’s history or are focused on broader history as a key element in their presentations. Membership in the Historical Society of Michigan is required to be listed.
Storytellers
- Michael P. Deren: Historical Reenactments – The Past in Person
- Lois Sprengnether Keel: Michigan Storyteller
- Larry Massie: Storytelling Michigan’s Past
- Willie W. Payne: Storytelling Michigan’s Past
- Genot Picor: Stories, Songs, and Dances of the Metis’ Voyageur
- Dave Rogers: Michigan History Tours and Presentations
- Jenifer Strauss: Story Be Told, Narrative Consulting Using Story to Enrich Lives
Speakers
- Lars Bjorn and Jim Gallert: Detroit Music History
- Dave & Al Eicher: Great Events in Michigan’s History
- Mike Fornes: Mackinac Bridge and U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw
- John S. Geisler: Sauk Trail, US 12 & the Detroit-Chicago Road
- Larry Massie: Old Books: Trash to Treasure
- Priscilla Massie: Michigan’s Culinary Heritage
- Ric Mixter: Great Lakes History
- Bob Myers: Robert Myers portrays Corporal Martin W. Stafford
- Willie W. Payne: The Underground Railroad Michigan Connection
- Dianna Stampfler: lighthouses, agricultural heritage, covered bridges, vintage postcards, and more
- Jenifer Strauss: Story Be Told, Narrative Consulting Using Story to Enrich Lives
- Valerie van Heest: Great Lakes Shipwrecks: Discovery and Exploration
Performers
- Mike Fornes: The Gordon Lightfoot Tribute
- La Compagnie Musical Dance Troupe: French-Canadian/Scots-Irish music, dance, and folklore of Michigan
- Willie W. Payne: Songs and drumming. Recommended for middle school students.
- Trois Bouffons: Specializes in music, stories, and simple community dance of early French Michigan.
Financial support for some of the speakers, storytellers and musicians listed above may be available from the Michigan Humanities Council. Please visit the Michigan Humanities Council for more information.
