The Nick Adams Stories are considered by many scholars to be some of Ernest Hemingway’s best writing, a masterpiece literally made in Michigan. Hemingway spent the marjoity of his first 22 summers in northern Michigan. The experiences he had here played an essential role in his development as one of the world’s most significant writers.
The importance of Michigan to Hemingway originally led to the creation of the Michigan Hemingway Society nearly 20 years ago. This year, the Michigan Humanities Council chose the Nick Adams Stories as the focus of its statewide program to encourage reading of great literature.
With its cumulative expertise in the Hemingway-Michigan connection, MHS was a natural to help outline activities and resources for the year-long endeavor. With our partner, CMU’s Clarke Historical Library, MHS was privileged to cooperate with the Michigan Humanities Council and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs to produce a printed tour of Hemingway sites, a reader’s guide, a film entitled Hemingway: A Life in Michigan, and an exhibit of Hemingway artifacts entitled Up North with the Hemingways. After its July premiere at Crooked Tree Arts Council in Petoskey, the exhibit is traveling to 28 Michigan communities.
More than 100 Michigan communities have planned events to coincide with the Great Michigan Read, from film festivals to lecture and discussion series. Many of MHS’ board members are serving as speakers and resources for these events.
See the brochure at 2007 Great Michigan Read.
This was the view overlooking Little Traverse Bay from the Odawa Hotel the weekend of our 2007 conference in July.
Hemingway writes in the Nick Adams Stories "Ten Little Indians" about walking up the hill above Petoskey and looking back out over the bay.
Website photos courtesy Art Wagner