Macomb County has a big birthday this year, and its various cultural organizations are celebrating with a passport program for families.
“Our hope is to make people more aware of the historical sites in their neighborhoods,” says Kim Parr, director of the Macomb County Historical Society and Crocker House Museum. “We hope this encourages people to go and develop happy, fond memories.”
Visitors get their passport stamped at 26 sites including museums, art centers, houses and historic villages.
“If someone has an interest in cars, going to Packard Proving Grounds and Stahls Automotive Museum” – in Shelby Township and New Baltimore – “would make them happy,” Parr says. Or travel back in time at historic homes like Crocker House in Mount Clemens or the Loren Andrus Octagon House in Washington Township.
The program continues through December. Bonus: After you get stamps from seven spots, take your passport to a participating Culver’s restaurant for a free meal. Sign up at macombcountyheritagealliance.org.
5 Macomb County fun facts
- Romeo Plank Road was once “planked” with wood, and drivers had to pay a toll to go on it.
- Leap the Dips, a 3,200-foot wooden roller coaster, was here at one point.
- It’s home to Michigan’s tallest American flagpole, towering 160 feet.
- Mount Clemens was once nicknamed “Bath City” because people came here from all over the world for mineral baths.
- The county is named after Gen. Alexander Macomb, a highly decorated War of 1812 veteran.
Source: Kim Parr, Macomb County Historical Society
