Michigan Story

Item #2051

Special Commission

(November, 1994) How’s about giving this little Gnome a ride to his favorite state, Michigan? He is pointing to the only state with two large separate land areas, the Upper and Lower Peninsulas, which are connected by the 5-mile long Mackinac Bridge. It looks like little Michigan is waiting for a friend to drive him across the bridge. Among his many souvenirs is a miniature Thunderbird (T-Bird was my nickname when I taught at Davidson College). Henry Ford built his first workable “horseless carriage” in Detroit  in 1896, and now Michigan leads the country in the manufacture of automobiles. The truck tire means it is a very Goodyear. The small chair symbolizes the furniture industries of Grand Rapids, and the wheat honors Battle Creek, the city known as “the cereal bowl of America.” But little Michigan is not all work and no play. His tulip bulb is from the annual Tulip Festival held in Holland, Michigan. For music, look no further than Detroit, known as MoTown, where you probably won’t hear ” I’ve Got a Gal in Kalamazoo.” His three coins depict the state seal, the wolverine (the state mammal) and Michigan’s statehood date, January 26, 1837, making it the 26th state. The Petoskey rock he found on the north shore of the “Mitten” is supposed to bring good luck. So look for his ride to come along soon!

Dr. Thomas F. Clark