As of Thursday, the museum has received $1,431,030 in donations and grants toward its $1.8 million goal to finance the project. That leaves them $368,870 shy, but Besser Museum Executive Director Chris Witulski is confident that other community organizations and families with ties to Northeast Michigan will continue to generously give to complete fundraising for the interactive, educational exhibit with something fun and interesting for all ages.

She explained that museum officials are currently working with local experts to develop the wording that will appear in each segment of the exhibit.

“We want people to be intrigued and inspired by what they read about Alpena’s history and heritage,” Witulski said.

Witulski explained that the museum is working with Split Rock Studios out of Minnesota to design, fabricate, and install the exhibit.

News Photo by Darby Hinkley Artist Judy Dawley holds up an digital image of her painting of ancient underwater creatures next to the rendering on the wall showing where the painting will be located within the new “Discover Northeast Michigan History” exhibit.

The museum is trying to stay as local as possible with construction and supplies for the project. Meridian Contracting Services has completed phase one of the project, and the museum has been working with Ryan Fairchild of Omega Electric and Sign Company Inc., as well as Young’s Carpet One, all of Alpena. Kanarr Enterprises, also based in Alpena, is working on phase two of the project.

The new exhibit will feature a journey through time, covering the ice age through present day. It will have areas dedicated to lakes, logging, limestone, farming, our Native American ancestors, and more.

Children will enjoy exploring the interactive portions of the exhibit, including a slide in the ice age area and discovery drawers full of artifacts.

The new exhibit will showcase the rich history of Northeast Michigan, including the region’s Native American heritage, the fur trading era, the early industries, and more. The exhibit will feature interactive displays, artifacts, and multimedia presentations, providing visitors with an immersive and engaging experience.

Witulski is grateful for the community’s support, and appreciates donations of any amount.

Courtesy Image In this rendering created by Split Rock Studios for Besser Museum, local artist Judy Dawley’s painting of underwater creatures is shown as it will appear in the new “Discover Northeast Michigan History” exhibit at the museum.

“Besser Company and Alpena Agency were leading donors at the beginning of the campaign,” she said in an email. “Besser Company donated $40,000 and Alpena Insurance Agency donated $15,000.”

Witulski added that donors of $500 or more will be acknowledged by contribution level on a permanent recognition wall within the exhibit.

“Top O’ Michigan Insurance chose Besser Museum to be its ‘WE CARE’ recipient of $1,000 in appreciation for their shared vision of enriching communities and fostering the love of art, history, and science,” Witulski said.

Individual donors have made contributions, as well.

“Robert Dulebohn, a young father of two, read about our project in The Alpena News,” Witulski said. “Dulebohn came into the Besser Museum and gave a donation of $500 because he wanted to have the names of his children, Ronan and Rezlyn, on the permanent donor board as a part of this special exhibit.”

Installation of the new exhibit is set to start in November, Witulski said.

Local artist and longtime Besser Museum volunteer Judy Dawley has lent her talents to the museum, painting a mural of ancient underwater creatures to be used in a section of the “Discover Northeast Michigan History” exhibit.

Dawley has been volunteering at the museum since she retired from teaching in 2008.

“I started out creating field trips in connection with NOAA,” Dawley said. “We would have partnerships so the children would start over at NOAA (Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center) and then come over here.”

She then worked in the library at the museum.

“The museum actually had its own library, with a librarian, at one time,” Dawley recalled. “Doris Puls and Kathy Newhouse and I first catalogued everything; I bet it took a good three years.”

The self-taught artist has painted an existing mural at Besser Museum, as she enjoys both helping and using her artistic talents.

“It gives you purpose, and it makes you feel good,” she said.

One of the best parts about volunteering at the museum is working with the staff, she said.

“The staff is so welcoming,” Dawley said. “And makes you feel like you are actually contributing” to the museum and the community. “The second reason is it’s so darn interesting. The stuff that’s down there (in the archives) is just amazing, telling the story of Alpena.”

She’s excited about the new “Discover Northeast Michigan History” exhibit.

“For a town this size, this is an amazing resource,” Dawley said of the museum. “Jesse Besser really had a vision. He really did, for this town. And so, this project is just going to make that explode. It’ll improve exponentially. There are going to be so many hands-on activities for all generations. That’s what I really like.”

She is honored to have her artwork featured in the exhibit.

Besser Museum is located at 491 Johnson St., Alpena. Call the museum at 989-356-2202.