City museum director named to state commission

Birmingham Museum Director Leslie Pielack has been appointed to the nine-member Michigan Historical Commission (MHC) by Michigan Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks.

The MHC advises the director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, approves Michigan Historical Markers and takes on special projects and initiatives of interest to Michigan’s history and its commemoration.

Pielack will serve a two-year appointment with possible re-appointment. Her first of five annual meetings will take place on Friday, April 25, in Lansing.

Pielack said she views serving on the MHC as an opportunity to recognize the important role of the Birmingham community in Oakland County's history. "I look forward to representing Birmingham and Oakland County with my colleagues in Lansing and the chance to share new perspectives for our mutual benefit," she said.

In addition to her position at the Birmingham Museum, Pielack is a published author whose 2018 book, titled The Saginaw Trail: From Native American Path to Woodward Avenue, highlighted the history of the Saginaw Trail—now Woodward Avenue—and surrounding communities.

Pielack and the Birmingham Museum led the award-winning Oakland County Underground Railroad Public History project, which identified and documented almost 60 people who were active abolitionists or freedom seekers in local communities. The findings of this project are currently circulating in free public settings around Oakland County and have been seen by over 80,000 people so far.

“Leslie’s background in historic preservation makes her an excellent fit for the Michigan Historical Commission,” said Birmingham City Manager Jana Ecker. “She has worked on several historic sites in Oakland County and is a strong advocate for the important role of local history in bringing communities together and recognizing our shared heritage.”