Special Opportunity with Dr. Nathan Seeley at Wickson

This week I want to share another event on the list of outstanding things to experience at Wickson Library this summer. On Monday, July 14 at 6 pm, Dr. Nathan Seeley will be giving a presentation at the library entitled “Frankenmuth: A German-American Town During WWII.” I recently had the opportunity to ask Dr. Seeley some questions to find out more about him and his presentation.

Dr. Seeley is the new Executive Director of the Frankenmuth Historical Association, though he has been with the FHA as a volunteer, leader of Events, Education, & Exhibitions, and Curator & Collections Manager for many years. During this time, he has helped to grow educational programming, and he spearheaded a $400,000 museum renovation. His “…goal is to make the FHA a true community center.”

I wondered what drew Dr. Seeley to Frankenmuth and to the FHA in particular. Not only is his wife from Frankenmuth, but he also feels “…Frankenmuth is truly a special place.” He has enjoyed learning about it and the tradition of residents giving back to the community since “…the days of Frankenmuth’s first German settlers.”  This quality of Frankenmuth can be experienced during a visit to the FHA Museum. Dr. Seeley explained that “Many locals are impressed at how interactive our museum is, especially since we updated galleries during our museum renovation. Our newer galleries tell stories of the world wars, breweries and prohibition, ‘Becoming Little Bavaria,’ and more! Most of our visitors leave wishing our museum was simply a little bigger because they enjoyed it so much!” I am now quite excited to go check out the FHA Museum.

On July 14^th you can come to Wickson to hear Dr. Seeley discuss the topic of Frankenmuth during the world wars. According to Dr. Seeley, “Frankenmuth’s German heritage and identity make for some fascinating storylines. The presentation will focus on how a town of German-Americans navigated and participated in the war.” As a former teacher who has read, studied, and taught literature about both WW I and WW II, I am quite interested to learn about the experiences of German-Americans during the wars, especially when they are so closely connected to family and friends here in Frankenmuth. I encourage adults from in and around the community to come learn from Dr. Seeley.

I was especially appreciative of Dr. Seeley’s comments on the value of libraries and museums as “…welcoming places where anybody can come to relax, learn, and have fun” and the conviction that “Museums should be special places that help us to recharge, spend some quality time with those we love, and to learn.”  Libraries and museums are some of my personal favorite places, and I try to visit one or the other (sometimes both) when I visit new cities. Dr. Seeley and his family are enthusiastic patrons of Wickson and are taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge. He also commented on how impressed he is with how engaging the programming at Wickson is, and I must agree!

I again encourage you to attend Wickson’s Summer Lecture Series on Monday, July 14^th at 6 pm to hear Dr. Seeley’s talk. What a great way to mark the halfway point in Wickson’s Summer Reading program!