Dear Friends,
Summer in Detroit brings so many opportunities to explore and enjoy the city, and there’s plenty to look forward in our museums! From special events and new exhibitions to the exciting return of The Hustle, this season promises to be full of highlights.
First, we're celebrating a rare convergence of milestones this year – 250 years since the founding of the United States, 325 years since the arrival of Detroit’s first European settlers, 75 years since the Detroit Historical Museum opened on Woodward Avenue, and 65 years since the opening of the Dossin Great Lakes Museum. We kicked off our Quad Anniversary Lecture Series in May, and it will continue through the Summer and Fall at both museums, featuring free presentations on key moments from the city’s history along with free evening general admission. Be sure to check out the schedule! We’re also throwing two big parties – an Anniversary Block Party at the Detroit Historical Museum on July 24 and a Dock Party at the Dossin on July 25. Admission will be free for these two days of family fun.
New exhibitions are also bringing fresh stories to the forefront: The Amplification Project: Women Artists of the Arab Diaspora (Detroit), The Searching Eye: Images of Mid-Century Detroit by Norman Zadoorian, and LENI: Looking Through the Lens all offer a distinctive look at the city’s past and present at the Detroit Historical Museum. Blind Pigs and Bootleggers: Michigan Women During Prohibition tells a little-known side of the city’s 1920-30s history at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum. We’re also inviting you to take a closer look at our permanent exhibitions with an expert guide during our new Saturday drop-in tours at both museums. View a list of all our exhibitions and upcoming tour opportunities!
Finally, we just announced our honorees in the second round of The Hustle, our award-winning project that spotlights the creativity, determination, and neighborhood impact of Detroit’s entrepreneurs of color. Through exhibitions, oral histories, and public programs, we can’t wait to share the inspirational stories of these 35 business owners, starting this Fall at the Detroit Historical Museum. See the list.
Be well,
Elana Rugh
CEO, Detroit Historical Society