It's National Puzzle Day! Celebrate With Unique Jigsaw Puzzles From Michigan Historical Center

DETROIT (WWJ) - Friday is National Puzzle Day and the Michigan Historical Center wants a piece of the action.

State archivist Mark Harvey says a tight state budget forced him to put on his thinking cap, and with 175 years' worth of old photos, maps and other items at his disposal, he got an industrial puzzle cutter and a spark of creativity.

"We really were looking for things that we could manufacture ourselves. We didn't want to just buy a bunch of tchotchkes and slap images onto them," Harvey told WWJ's Scott Ryan. "We wanted to do something that we could say was made right here within the walls of the archives to make it as authentic as possible. So, that's really how we got onto the track of making jigsaw puzzles with these historic images."

Through their "Michiganology" website, you can now buy 500-piece puzzles featuring images of old maps, photos, stamps and other items on hand at the state archives -- including lots and lots of beer labels.

"Before World War II, the state liquor control commission required companies -- whether they sold wine or beer in the state, you had to literally file a copy of your label with the liquor control commission," said Harvey. "So, they would have to mail in the actual printed label and the liquor commission would then paste them into this giant volume."

The puzzles can be purchased for $20 each. To browse the collection or for more information, visit michiganology.com.