It’s not every day you get invited to a 150th birthday party. YDL invites you to celebrate our momentous milestone with a party at all three library locations. Each location will have music, entertainment, and kids activities like face painting, magic, or balloon animals, and of course… cake!
We’ll also take you back to the library’s founding in 1868 with presentations about the library’s history and what life was like 150 years ago. YDL-Michigan will offer a walking tour of 150 years of library locations, while YDL-Whittaker will feature costumed folks telling the stories of the women whose work shaped the library and the city. Each location will also get a special visit from Mother Goose, who will share fun and interactive takes on nursery rhymes that were popular in the 1860s and, much like the library, have truly stood the test of time.
Join the fun at all YDL locations on Saturday, September 8, 2-4pm.
150th Birthday Bash: Whittaker Road
Saturday, September 8, 2-4pm, YDL-Whittaker, 5577 Whittaker Road
- Live banjo music recreates 1860s sounds
- A Magician strolls through the crowd and entertains families with balloon animals and magic
- Play classic lawn games outside like croquet and horseshoes
- Costumed greeters tell the stories of the women who founded the Library
- A display of historical autograph books from Ypsilanti residents, on loan from the Ypsilanti Historic Society, will be on display in the Ypsilanti-Michigan History Room
- Miss Marlena recounts timeless tales in costume at Mother Goose Storytime
- Take photos for time capsule
- Vote for your favorite American novel of all time with the PBS’ The Great American Read
- Treat yourself to a slice of birthday cake to celebrate our 150th!
150th Birthday Bash: Downtown
Saturday, September 8, 2-4pm, YDL-Michigan, 229 W. Michigan Avenue
- Rufus the Dufus entertains with stilts, juggling, unicycling, magic, and more
- Peace Jubilee Brass Band recreates the sounds of the 1860s with vintage instruments
- Miss Marlena recounts timeless tales in costume at Mother Goose Storytime
- Teen Advisory Group teens offer interactive crafts
- Vote for your favorite American novel of all time with the PBS’ The Great American Read
- 2:15pm: James Mann leads a walking Tour of the library through the decades 2:15pm
- 3:15pm: Matt Siegfried discusses Ypsilanti’s Black history 1880-1980 and the AP Marshall Archive
- Treat yourself to a slice of birthday cake to celebrate our 150th!
150th Birthday Bash: Superior
Saturday, September 8, 2-4pm, YDL-Superior, 8795 MacArthur Boulevard
- Go! Ice Cream offers frozen treats made right here in Ypsilanti
- Play classic lawn games outside like croquet and horseshoes
- Costumed greeters tell the stories of the women who founded the Library
- Play classic lawn games outside like croquet and horseshoes
- Miss Marlena recounts timeless tales in costume at Mother Goose Storytime
- Treat yourself to a slice of birthday cake to celebrate our 150th!