WINTER 2010 MAKING A QUARTERLY GUIDE TO EXHIBITIONS, EVENTS,HISTORY TOURS, PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES n! Opening Soo New to the Collection See Page 5 FEATURES Free holiday admission ......................................................... 3 Fun and interesting things to do ...................................... 6–9 New exhibits opening soon .................................................. 5 Revolutionary Detroit book now available ........................ 14 2 MAKING HISTORY is the official quarterly newsletter of the Detroit Historical Society, published each Letter from the Executive Director winter, spring, summer, and fall. Questions and Bob Bury comments may be submitted to Peter Poulos at [email protected]. For many, the holiday season and the start of a new year is a time for reflection and planning. We cherish STAFF the good memories of days gone by and try to forget Robert Bury Executive Director & CEO those that were less pleasant. Most importantly, we look Michelle Wooddell Chief Operating Officer forward to the future with optimism and anticipation of Tracy Irwin Director of Exhibitions & what lies ahead. Programs Alease Johnson Director of Operations Though many in Michigan may take little comfort in Peter Poulos Director of Marketing & Sales assurances that the recession is over and a return to Bob Sadler Director of Public & prosperity is just around the corner, the arrival of 2010 External Relations clearly signals a new beginning. Pam Schumaker Director of Finance & Administration At the Detroit Historical Society, we’re excited about 2010 and beyond, for Sandy Schuster Development Officer our organization and for people like you who value and support our work. Lisa Williams Development Officer Over the past several weeks, many of you have accepted our invitation to OFFICERS learn about PAST>FORWARD, our $21 million comprehensive campaign Francis W. McMillan II President to enhance, improve and expand the impact of our efforts to educate and Kevin P. A. Broderick Immediate Past President inspire our community. Vice Presidents This five-year effort includes the major enhancement and refocusing Christopher J. Blake Dennis Levasseur of our core permanent exhibits at the Detroit Historical Museum and Joel N. Bruss Kenneth J. Svoboda Dossin Great Lakes Museum. At the Detroit Historical Museum, we will Thomas C. Buhl Delores Tripp Jeffrey Lambrecht also add three new exhibits on topics such as Detroit’s role as the arsenal of democracy during World War II, our region’s unmatched legacy of The Hon. Robert P. Young, Jr. Secretary innovation and Detroit’s remarkably diverse culture. At the Dossin, we John Norris Assistant Secretary Thomas J. Shea Treasurer will take an in-depth look at Detroit and the Great Lakes in a brand new Ann Greenstone Historian interactive gallery. Terence Thomas Sr. Assistant Historian Additionally, long-time favorites including the Streets of Old Detroit, TRUSTEES Motor City, Doorway to Freedom, Glancy Trains and William Clay Ford Pilot House will be updated and refreshed. The comprehensive campaign Robert R. Lubera, Esq. Charles M. Bayer, Jr. also supports ongoing museum operations, additional professional Lawrence N. Bluth Kristin A. Lusn curatorial and education staff, collections digitization and expanded Joanne D. Brodie David Nicholson Robert A. Bury John H. Norris outreach initiatives. Stay tuned for additional information about the Bruce A. Carleton Rick Ruffner PAST>FORWARD campaign or feel free to contact me personally to Gregory Cheesewright Christa Schwartz learn more. Judy Christian Lois Shaevsky Judith Knudsen Christie Thomas J. Shea Our future is both bright and ambitious. Our campaign, along with the David Cornillie Scott Simpson full schedule of exhibits, programs and other activities detailed in this Robert W. Cosgrove Sheila Stone newsletter, promises to make 2010 a pivotal year for the Society. Thank Sean P. Cotton Phyllis Strome you for being part of it and for your continued support! Douglas P. Dossin Frank Taylor Stephanie Germack-Kerzic Bankole Thompson Sincerely, Saul Green Lucius A. Vassar Robert E. Hoban Dwight Vincent Michael Kosonog Carole Larson Wendzel Martin Krall HISTORY ADVISORY COUNCIL Robert A. Bury Thomas Brunk, PhD Wayne State University, Executive Director & CEO College for Creative Studies Detroit Historical Society Loraine Campbell Troy Historical Museum James Conway Historic Fort Wayne P.S. The new year also brings several new members to the Society’s C. Kurt Dewhurst Michigan State University Museum Board of Trustees. A special welcome and expression of thanks to these DeWitt S. Dykes, Jr., PhD Oakland University individuals, listed on the left side of this page, who volunteer their time, Charles K. Hyde Wayne State University talent and treasure to help guide and support our work. Thomas A. Klug Marygrove College Maud Lyon Cultural Alliance of SE MI Annette McConnell History Education ON THE COVER: Consultant The cover of one of the Society’s newest acquisitions, a copy of “Detroit Masonic News” James McConnell, PhD History Education the monthly newsletter of the Detroit Masonic Temple Association. The issue is Consultant significant for its feature article on the cornerstone laying of the “new” Masonic Temple, Michael Smith Walter P. Reuther Library put in place using the same trowel that George Washington had used to set the Arthur Woodford Dossin Maritime Group cornerstone of the United States Capitol in Washington D.C. WWW.DETROITHISTORICAL.ORG 3 DETROIT HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEWS Memories… stories… history Exclusive Detroit Historical Society Your support counts! Help the Society with a year-end gift! Members Preview For almost 90 years, the Detroit Historical Society has told our Members — watch your mail this winter for your exclusive community’s stories through thought-provoking exhibits and invitation to the Members Preview Opening at the Detroit Historical programs at the Detroit Historical Museum and unique stories of Museum on the evening of Friday, March 12, 2010. our maritime heritage at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum. Every gift There will be a number of exciting that the Society receives in support of its mission is what makes new exhibitions including the this all possible. Fabulous 5: Detroit’s Beloved Help us continue to preserve our rich, shared history for current Sport Coaches, the Detroit and future generations with a generous gift to the 2009–2010 Artist’s Showcase and the New Annual Fund. If you’ve already made a gift to the Annual Fund, we to the Collection. (See page 5 for want to thank you. Please consider making an additional gift to details on exhibits.) help us continue our important work. If you’re not a member and Enclosed with this newsletter is a response envelope for your would like to attend, please call convenience to make a gift to the Society and show your support. Ebani Lowery at (313) 833-1980 Remember — all gifts are completely tax-deductible. Thank you in to join today! advance for your support! Free admission, extended Society celebrates Black History Month hours during holidays — On Saturday, February 6, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Detroit Historical Society will celebrate Black History Month by hosting “African American History Day” at the our way of saying ‘thanks’ Detroit Historical Museum. As a special “thank you” to the community for Offering FREE ADMISSION for all — thanks to the generosity of Target — its support during these challenging economic “African American History Day” highlights the rich history and culture of the times, the Detroit Historical Society is offering free African American community in the region. admission to the Detroit Historical Museum this holiday season, as well as extended visitor hours. This year’s celebration features a number of historical presentations as well as an expanded vendor and artists market. Jean Alicia Elster — celebrated author The museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. of Who’s Jim Hines? — will also be making a special appearance. There will be every day from December 26 through January 3 plenty of entertainment and a caricature artist, too! (except New Year’s Day). Refreshments will be available for sale. Make your plans now! Take a break from the hustle and bustle! Bring the entire family and experience a fun-filled, relaxing day Sponsored by Media Partners — on us! (NOTE: The Detroit Historical Museum will be closed on December 24 and December 25 in observance of the Christmas Holiday as well as on January 1, 2010.) Masco sponsors Dossin Great Lakes Museum 50th anniversary, free admission Great news! Masco Corporation Foundation will community with different opportunities to visit the be the Presenting Sponsor for the Dossin Great Museum, participate in the anniversary celebration Lakes Museum’s 50th Anniversary Celebration and learn more about our great maritime heritage. beginning in 2010. Presenting Sponsor In addition, Masco will sponsor free admission to The Dossin will be celebrating 50 years of the Dossin Great Lakes Museum for 2010, enabling providing the metro Detroit community with the entire metro Detroit community to enjoy the exhibits and programs that celebrate the stories Museum at no cost. and history of the Great Lakes and the Detroit Please visit our website at www.detroithistorical.org River. These stories have played an important for more information on planned events. and vital role in the development of Detroit and the region. The Society is planning a number of exciting and educational maritime-themed programs and events that will provide the DETROIT HISTORICAL SOCIETY • Winter 2010 4 WINTER 2010 EXHIBITIONS AND EVENTS For more information call (313) 833-1805 or visit www.detroithistorical.org VeloCity: Detroit Trivia Now open Detroit’s Need for Speed Second Floor Corridor Gallery Now open Stark Hall For those who think they know Detroit history — and those who don’t — this exhibit is an While other towns can claim to race cars or boats or planes, Detroit’s unique enjoyable challenge. With more than 300 years geography has enabled us to have been involved in all of these at their inception.