You don't have to travel the world to experience different cultures this summer. Turns out, all you have to do is drive to Saginaw.
The Castle Museum in Saginaw is taking area residents on a backyard tour of different world cultures this summer. Each week on Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon, The Castle Celebrates Culture program will highlight cultures from the community with different activities and lectures at the museum.
The program, which launched this year, is a way to promote education about the different cultures represented in the community, says Ruth Mancina, marketing and events coordinator for the museum.
"We have a strong history of French Canadians settling here, obviously a big Native American influence, and then our German, Italian, and African-American groups also play a big part in making Saginaw the wonderful place it is to live, work and play," Mancina says.
In upcoming weeks, people will learn how to make their own pesto and about Italian culture, she says. They'll learn how to make a medicine pouch during the week that focuses on Native American culture. And they'll have the chance to taste some Mexican sweet bread and listen to some jazz.
The program, which will run through August 26, is free of charge with paid admission to the museum ($1 for adults; 50 cents for children).
Pre-registration is required to ensure that there are enough supplies for each of the programs. Free admission is made possible with help from
Saginaw Celebrates Summer, which is sponsored in part by the
Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation.
"It was an idea several members of our staff came up with to provide low-cost, family entertainment during the summer months," Mancina says. "It's going to be a lot of fun."
Writer: Jenny Cromie
Source: Castle Museum, Ruth Mancina
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