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Detroit Legends Lend A Hand At Historical Museum

DETROIT (WWJ) - The handprints of about a dozen local legends will become a permanent feature on the Plaza in front of the Detroit Historical Museum.

Among the local celebrities whose hands were pressed in cement concrete blocks, during a special event, was Detroit Mayor and former Detroit Pistons point guard Dave Bing.

He sees the museum as playing an important role in Detroit.

Al Kaline
Al Kaline (WWJ Photo / Pat Sweeting)

"It not only connects us with our history, but also with our future," said Bing. "As I think about our history having been here for about 45 or 46 years and I've actually been into the museum on several different occasions.  It's a wonderful thing for the City of Detroit and I'm very pleased to be a part of this."

It's all a part of the museum's "Past>Forward" campaign, a five-year effort to raise just over $20 million.

Detroit Tigers Hall of Famer Al Kaline was another legend who left their mark on the Detroit institution.  Kaline said it's an honor.

"I've been a part of Detroit history for so long since 1953," said Kaline. "This is a tremendous honor to have your hands in stone.  I've always said it's better your hands than your feet in stone.  I've been very fortunate and very lucky to be in this great town."

Other local personalities that attended the event were author Elmore "Dutch" Leonard, broadcaster Dick Purtan and WDIV's Carmen Harlan.

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