A new tourist attraction has opened up in northern Michigan. This is a look back at Manistee’s past.
Origin is an educational sculpture walking experience that looks back on the history of Manistee. From the Anisina Abek roots to today.
The Manistee County Visitors Bureau worked closely with the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians and the Manistee County Historical Museum to come up with the idea for Origins.
Sammie Lukaskiewicz, executive director of the Manistee County Visitors Bureau, said he hopes the event will be a great educational experience for visitors and the local community.
“Travel in general is changing, and travelers expect more from the places they go. [Origins} make them want to come back again and again,” Lukaskiewicz states.
The sculpture walk follows the natural pathways of Douglas Park and the Riverwalk. Each piece gives a peek back at the history of Manistee and features influential people like Tribal Elders and past community leaders.
The Executive Director for the Manistee County Historical Museum, Mike Fedder, says he didn’t want Origins to just be lumberjacks. He says it was very important for Origins to represent the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians.
“It’s very important that the people visiting Manistee know the history of it. Manistee was a very big industrial city later on. It played a big role in the formation of the state of Michigan. And all of that is highlighted on this walk,” Fedder explains.
They say they’re excited to share Manistee’s past while they look forward to the future.
“A piece like this is always going to be growing. There could be the next set of silhouettes on here of people who are leading our community right now,” Lukaskiewicz says.
