Monroe's Switlik earns 2023 MAAK Award for preserving Michigan's history
Matt Switlik of Monroe, former director of the Monroe County Museum System, recently earned the 2023 Milliken, Adams, Austin, Kelly (MAAK) Award, a state of Michigan history award, from the Michigan Historical Commission and the Michigan History Center.
The award was presented to Switlik June 29 at the Michigan History Center in Lansing. The award is an inscribed glass vase handmade this year by Michigan glass artist Andy Kopul.
“We are so pleased to award Matt Switlik the 2023 MAAK Award,” Michigan Historical Commission president and Monroe native Brian James Egen said. “His lifelong dedication has inspired countless individuals to appreciate, steward and experience history.”
The MAAK Award was named for Gov. William Milliken, Commissioner Elizabeth Adams, Secretary of State Richard Austin and Attorney General Frank Kelley.
“They are four individuals who, over their lifetimes of service, made significant contributions to the preservation and understanding of Michigan history,” the Michigan History Center said.
Just one award is given each year. The recipient shows “expectational leadership and vision in support of the state’s historic resources, program and institutions,” the center said.
Switlik worked for the Monroe County Museum System from 1969 until retiring in 2004, but he continues to assist with museum and local historical projects.
“Throughout his extensive career, Matt has executed groundbreaking initiatives and programs that make up the foundations of the Monroe County Museum System and the River Raisin National Battlefield Park,” Larry Wagenarr, Michigan Historical Commission member, said.
Switlik was nominated by Jeffrey J. (JJ) Przewozniak, deputy director of the Monroe County Museum System. Przewozniak cited several examples of Switlik’s work, including the discovery of one of Michigan’s oldest wooden residences, the Navarre-Anderson Trading Post, which was built in 1789. Switlik made the discovery in the early 1970s, and the post was later restored. Today it’s located at the museum’s River Raisin Territorial Park near Ellis Library & Reference Center.
In 1972, Switlik led the museum’s move from a historic home to its current location in the former Monroe post office. Switlik also arranged to acquire the first land to prepare for the River Raisin National Battlefield Park.
Michigan History Center Director Sandra Clark said that Switlik’s leadership “spurred a community movement to reclaim and re-engage the site that is now the River Raisin Battlefield administered by the National Park Service.”
Switlik also is a national authority on historic artillery.
“His passion for the preservation, care and safe use of antique and reproduction cannons has made Switlik a leading national authority on all aspects of historic artillery,” the Michigan History Center said. “His knowledge has been the basis for countless successful restoration projects and safe, effective demonstrations of historic artillery for historic sites for the National Park Service and Parks Canada, as well as Mackinac Island and The Henry Ford. He has also done artillery programming for the U.S. Army National Guard and served as a consultant on films, including ‘Master and Commander.’’
Switlik saw the history in Monroe since coming to this area in 1969.
“This recognition has given me the opportunity to reflect on my time in Monroe, since 1969, and appreciate the great values and people here,” Switlik said. “Shortly on arrival, I was told that the first written record of French families was a 1788 petition to create a parish, with about 400 family names on it. At least 60% of those names could be found in the phone book of 1969. I sensed immediately that Monroe might be a perfectly good place to market history to its residents. Plans are all important, but timelines must be flexible, and new opportunities must be pursued. The world of history has expanded in many ways. In my opinion, history works best for the 'long haul' and at a steady pace."
Switlik is a member of the the Historical Society of Michigan, the Detroit Historical Society, the Monroe County Historical Society and the River Raisin Chapter of the Michigan Archaeological Society.
The Michigan History Center, part of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, fosters curiosity, enjoyment and inspiration rooted in Michigan’s stories, the organization said. To learn more, visit Michigan.gov/MHC.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Monroe's Switlik earns 2023 MAAK Award for preserving Michigan's history
