History camp aims to educate adults in Lansing

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Learning isn’t just for children, which is why the Turner-Dodge House will be holding a historical camp on Saturday beginning at 10 a.m.

“We’re celebrating Lansing’s 150 birthday because it’s an important part of Lansing heritage for Turner being part of it,” said Jennifer McDaniels, coordinator of the Turner-Dogde House, 100 E. North St., in Lansing. “It’s important to know who helped make Lansing our capitol.”

For $15, adults 18 years and older can participate in the celebration of Lansing’s 150 birthday. At the camp, there will be a guest speaker from the Capitol building and participants will be given a tour of the Turner-Dodge house as well as a lecture of the two families and their importance to the Lansing area.

Valerie Marvin, a tour guide for the Capitol building, will give a lecture about the history and symbolism behind Michigan’s state capitol.

“I’m always looking for opportunities to get information about the capital out to the public,” Marvin said.

Being part of the celebration is exciting for Marvin since it allows people to learn about the history of Lansing, something that not many take the time to learn.

“Lansing was created to be the state capital,” Marvin said. “It’s a privilege to be part of the celebration, and look at how Lansing has changed from then to now, little piece of a very big story.”

Michelle Reurink, president of the Friends of Turner-Dodge House is excited about the camp since she feels too often people forget the achievements that have been made in the past 100 years.

“We’re always excited when historical events are at the house,” Reurink said.

Reurink believes that by having the camp in the house, it offers more of an understanding of how people used to live back then, adding to the historical feeling.

“I don’t think we understand where we are until we understand where we’ve been,” Reurink said. “ … it makes it exciting to look ahead because we wonder where we will be in 100 years. If you don’t have the milestone and miles marker to see, you can’t judge the timeline that easily.”

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