October 13, 2004

Center exhibit a blast

GT Heritage Center display features 150 guns from the past

By
Herald staff writer

      Visitors to the Grand Traverse Heritage Center will get a blast from the past when they see the center's newest exhibit on the history of firearms.
      The display features more than 150 guns from the Con Foster collection and other local collectors. The exhibit focuses on the development of firearms over three centuries including changes in technology and design. Firearms on display include matchlocks, flintlocks, wheel locks, percussion cap rifles, early cartridge rifles, bolt-action rifles, pistols and more.
      "The earliest rifle we have is a Japanese matchlock rifle from 1500 and we have pieces right through World War II. It is quite an extensive collection," said Daniel Truckey, executive director of the Grand Traverse Heritage Center.
      "Most of the pieces were from the Con Foster collection. We just filled in a few that were lacking, from around the World War II period. Local collectors were good enough to fill in what we needed," Truckey said.
      The Con Foster collection began in the 1930s when Foster, Traverse City's parks commissioner, traveled the midwest collecting artifacts, including firearms, to establish a museum of regional history.
      "Con Foster collected everything, guns were just part of it. But guns were a big passion of his," Truckey said.
      The firearms, once a favorite at the Con Foster Museum, had been in storage since moving to the Grand Traverse Historical Center.
      "We did a survey to find out what people wanted to see from the Con Foster Museum and the firearms were by far the most requested item. So we decided they needed to be out on exhibit again," Truckey said.
      The "Blast from the Past" exhibition will be on display through the end of the year. Hours for October are noon to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday. Winter hours start in November and will be noon to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday with occasional Saturday events.
      The Grand Traverse Heritage Center is located at 322 Sixth St. Admission is free through March 2005 in celebration of the Carnegie Building's 100th anniversary. For more information, call 995-0313.