Its official name was Michigan History, Arts and Libraries.
The Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries was a portmanteau agency created by executive reorganization in October 2001 during the administration of Governor John Engler.
The specific functions of the department dated back to the publication startup of the Michigan Pioneer and Historical Collections in 1874, followed by the creation of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission in 1895.
The department operated several of Michigan's resources for learning and tourism, including Fort Mackinac, Fort Michilimackinac, the Library of Michigan, Michigan Historical Center, and the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
The department was eliminated by executive reorganization in July 2009 by the administration of Governor Jennifer Granholm.