This month the Monroe County Historical Museum offers a new schedule for 2014. From January through May and October through December, the museum will be open Tuesdays through Sundays from 12 pm to 5 pm. Additionally, on Thursday evenings the museum will be open until 7 pm. During the months of June, July, August, and September the Monroe County Historical Museum will be open daily from 11 am to 5 pm and until 7 pm on Thursday evenings.

“Expanding our days of operation and being open one evening a week provides residents and heritage tourists more opportunities to discover our county’s rich history at the Monroe County Historical Museum,” stated Andrew Clark, Museum Director.

In addition to the change in hours, the Monroe County Historical Museum is also introducing a new programming series. The Thirdsday Program Series takes place the third Thursday of each month at the Monroe County Historical Museum. All Thirdsday programs begin at 7 pm and are free. Winter 2014 Thirdsday Programs are as follows:

Thursday, January 16th at 7 pm – Monroe County Historical Museum

Joel Stone, Senior Curator of the Detroit Historical Society, will speak about Border Crossings, a collaborative collection of essays from the Detroit Historical Society and Wayne State University about the War of 1812. Copies of Border Crossings will be available for purchase.

Thursday, February 20th at 7 pm – Monroe County Historical Museum

Learn the history of “Wet Plate” or “Collodion” photography used from the early 1850s to the early 1880s with Robert Beech. This process was used for nearly all images made during the American Civil War. Mr Beech, an early pioneer in computer graphics and former animator with Disney Feature Animation, is currently a certified teacher in technology and art.

Thursday, March 20th at 7 pm – Monroe County Historical Museum

Before the 2014 baseball season starts, discover “How Base Ball turned into Baseball” with Marcus Dickson of Wayne State University and volunteer base ball player at Greenfield Village.