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Dunnigan, Porter Named to Commission

Brian Dunnigan Brian Dunnigan and Phil Porter were appointed by Governor Jennifer Granholm to serve on a new commission that will plan events for the 2012 bicentennial of the War of 1812.

Mr. Dunnigan, of Mackinac Island and Grass Lake, is an author of many books on Michigan history and is interim director at the University of Michigan William L. Clements Library in Ann Arbor, as well as Curator of Maps, head of Research and Publications, and head of Reader Services.

Mr. Porter, of Cheboygan, is the director of Mackinac State Historic Parks and, like Mr. Dunnigan, an author of many books related to the Straits area history.

Both men are part of a 15- member board called the Michigan Commission on the Commemoration of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812, which will plan for the celebration of the War of 1812 in 2012. The commission's first meeting is in Lansing Monday, April 28.

Bill Anderson, head of the state's Department of History, Arts, and Libraries, will likely be the chairman of the commission, said Mr. Porter.

Phil Porter The first land battle of the War of 1812 happened on Mackinac Island July 17, 1812, when the British captured Fort Mackinac from the Americans in a surprise attack, arriving on the north end of the Island where what is now called British Landing.

Mr. Porter said Mackinac State Historic Parks also has a committee to plan events and programs in the Straits area for the bicentennial.

Mr. Dunnigan has written two books related to the War of 1812, "The British Army at Mackinac 1812-1815," and "War of 1812."

Other appointees include George A. Zimmermann of Okemos, vice-president of Travel Michigan; Donna L. Budnick of Harbor Springs, a legislative services attorney for the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians; Robert A. Bury of Grosse Pointe Park, executive director and chief executive officer of the Detroit Historical Society; David C. Hales of Farmington Hills, social studies consultant for the Wayne Regional Educational Service Agency; Molly A. Luempert-Coy of Saline, regional manager of DTE Energy; James A. McConnell of Livonia, special projects coordinator and news editor of the Michigan Council for History Education; Richard G. Micka of Monroe, co-chairman of the Monroe County War of 1812 Bicentennial Experiential Tourism Subcommittee, chairman of the International Wildlife Refuge Alliance, and retired vice-president of La-Z-Boy Incorporated; Patricia E. Mooradian of Bloomfield Hills, president of The Henry Ford; Dennis E. Moore of Dearborn, public affairs officer for the consulate general of Canada; Ralph T. Naveaux of Monroe, retired director emeritus of the Monroe County Historical Museum and chairman of the Monroe County War of 1812 Bicentennial Steering Committee; and James E. Spurr of Portage, president of the board of directors of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society.