The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) has honored 11 Michigan sites with inclusion to the National Register of Historic Places for 2024, among which are prominent landmarks such as Hart Plaza and the Capri Drive-In Theater. The National Register recognizes places of historical significance and encourages their preservation, reports WXYZ. These designations span diverse elements of Michigan's cultural and architectural heritage, from community-centric locales like Hart Plaza to the family-owned nostalgia embodied by the Capri Drive-In.
Adding to the list, the recognition by the Federal Government is meant to support the conservation efforts of such notable spaces, providing both economic and historical value. As per CBS Detroit, State Historic Preservation Officer Ryan Schumaker stated in the announcement, "Listing in the National Register opens opportunities for economic investment in these communities and ensures that significant places from the past remain relevant into the future." In all, Michigan now boasts nearly 2,000 locations recognized on the National Register since the program's inception in the 1960s.
CBS Detroit also highlights the inclusion of sites like the Detroit Association of Women's Clubs and Millwood Apartments, underscoring the range of structures recognized for their contribution to Michigan's storied past. Todd Walsh, the National Register Coordinator stated, "These are places where we come together as family, friends, and neighbors to celebrate, to laugh, to share, and even to mourn; places where we say hello and goodbye." This sentiment aligns with the selection criteria for the register, which typically mandates that sites must be at least 50 years old, demonstrate historical significance, and retain integrity to manifest their role in history.
The Capri Drive-In Theater in Coldwater, known for its neon sign and community gatherings, has become Michigan’s first drive-in to be added to the Register. Opened in 1964 and with a capacity for over 800 vehicles, the Capri Drive-In is recognized as a part of family business and traditional American culture. As reported by WTVB, it has been a family-run business for many years, first by John and Mary Magocs and now by their son Tom and his wife Susan who continue the legacy with the support of their children. The addition of a second screen in the 1980s, relocated from a closed Detroit drive-in, shows the theater’s ability to adapt to changing times while maintaining its original features.
As these sites are added to the National Register of Historic Places, Michigan residents and visitors can engage with locations that reflect the state’s history. The inclusion of these eleven sites highlights efforts to preserve Michigan's heritage, supported by individuals like Ryan Schumaker, who contribute to the ongoing preservation and education of future generations.
