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Belle Isle 'Soul of the City'

From July 18 through Oct. 10, the Detroit Historical Museum played host to an exhibit on Belle Isle. This was the second time this decade that the Friends of Belle Isle were asked to put together an exhibit for them. The last one was in 2001 and focused on the tradition and history of the island. The 2009 exhibit focused on the present and future preservation of Belle Isle, using the theme "Soul of the City".

The theme was selected on the concept that when people visit Belle Isle it becomes a part of them, and they are drawn back again and again for fun, meditation and celebrations. Memories made there stay with you.

Friends of Belle Isle (FOBI) was the logical choice to create this type of exhibit since its mission is to promote the preservation of the natural beauty, restoration and preservation of historical sites and the adaptive use of existing structures on the island for the enjoyment and use by all people.

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FOBI provides funds for tree plantings and other preservation efforts on the island each year. Its members have worked with the City of Detroit to keep the island clean, on the restoration of the Central Avenue Bridge and many other projects since being formed in 1973.

Have any of our readers seen this exhibit while visiting the Detroit Historical Museum this summer or have any comments about it?

What do you think about visiting Belle Isle during the winter? Its beauty still prevails during the cold months, especially when there is a fresh blanket of snow. I can remember when we went ice skating on the lagoon in front of the Flynn Pavilion. I also remember the ice fountain created on the beach.

In order to keep up its work, FOBI sells memberships and has a couple fund-raising events, such as a Theatre Party at the Detroit Repertory Theatre, which will be held on Nov. 8 this year with tickets selling for $25 each. FOBI also has a new 2010 calendar on sale for $15 plus shipping & handling. If you would be interested in membership, theatre tickets, a calendar or additional information on FOBI, please contact our office at 313-331-7760.

-- Trick-or-treat at Belle Isle Nature Zoo

Comments, Pingbacks:

Comment from: 6/hoover [Member]

During Labor day weekend, I went to the D.H.M. to see the exhibit on the local tv celebrities. When we got there, I thought we would be in and out. I was wrong. We were there for 2-1/2 hours and the Belle Isle exhibit was one of the last ones we saw and we liked it. It was actually better then the one I originally went to see. So much info I never knew about.

I haven't been to Belle Isle in years. My parent's would take my sister's and I. We ice-skated, children's zoo and the flower house and whatever else there was, we did it. Next, my mom and I might go to the Dossin Great Lakes Musuem. We love anything on the Great Lakes.

Permalink 10/30/09 @ 09:38