Benzonia Academy Lecture Series - Prohibition in Hamtramck

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Barbara Mort, Executive Director, Benzie Area Historical Society PHONE: 231.882.5539 and 231.342.4177 EMAIL: info@benziemuseum.org BENZIE AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRESENTS “PROHIBITION IN HAMTRAMCK” The Benzie Area Historical Society will continue its tradition of the monthly Benzonia Academy Lecture Series on Thursday, February 11 at 4 p.m. with Greg Kowalski presenting “Prohibition in Hamtramck” in a virtual format. During the Prohibition years, Hamtramck was a hub of illegal and illicit activity. All sorts of thirsty Detroiters, from elected officials to members of the notorious Purple Gang, came to Hamtramck for a quiet drink. Hamtramck became known as the “Wild West of the Midwest” as it attracted national attention for the nefarious activities that flourished there. Greg Kowalski was born in Hamtramck, MI, in 1950, and has lived there his entire life. He spent more than 40 years as a journalist before retiring in 2020, writing for and editing numerous newspapers and magazines. In 1998 Kowalski was appointed to the then-new Hamtramck Historical Commission. That led, in turn, to the creation of the Friends of Historical Hamtramck, the non-profit corporation that founded and now owns the Hamtramck Historical Museum. The museum was founded in 2013, and Kowalski is executive director. He has also written 12 books on Hamtramck. This presentation is part of the Benzonia Academy Lecture Series, held on the second Thursday of each month, and is sponsored by the Benzie Area Historical Society. To attend the ZOOM lecture, visit the Benzie Area Historical Society’s Facebook page or website www.benziemuseum.org. For more information, contact the Benzie Area Historical Society at 231.882.5539.