1 SUMMER 2015 The Detroit Historical Society launches the Detroit 1967 Project The Detroit Historical Society recently announced the Detroit 1967 Project, a transformational effort to promote informed discussion and spark a clearer understanding about the events of the summer of 1967 and their effects on metro Detroit and the United States. Society CEO Robert Bury joined project partners Tyrone Davenport, COO of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Shirley Stancato, President and CEO of New Detroit, Inc., and John W. Hardy, chair of the Society’s Black Historic Sites Committee, for the announcement at a press Deputy Mayor Ike McKinnon speaks at the Detroit 1967 Project launch event. conference on Thursday, March 19. Remarks from Joseph L. Hudson, Jr., the Founding Chairman of New Detroit, Inc., and Detroit Deputy Mayor Ike McKinnon, who was a patrolman at the Detroit Police Department in 1967, rounded out the program. Continued on page 3 FEATURES 3 Society News 4–5 Detroit Historical Museum Exhibitions 6–7 Behind the Scenes Tours 7 Historic Houses of Worship Tours 8–9 Summer Film Series 10–11 Dossin Great Lakes Museum Exhibitions & Events 12 Around Detroit 13 Collections Corner 14 Development News Joseph Hudson Jr. addresses those gathered in the Allesee Gallery of Culture. 15 Summer Store Specials (photos above by Victor Koos) 19 Summer Days of Detroit 2 Letter from the Executive Director Bob Bury Looking Back to Move Forward MAKING HISTORY is the official quarterly newsletter As is often said, history is made every day. Nearly of the Detroit Historical Society, published each 50 years ago, in the summer of 1967, events that winter, spring, summer and fall. Questions and occurred in Detroit made history — and changed comments may be submitted to Bob Sadler at our community forever. [email protected]. As the keeper of Detroit’s history, it is important that STAFF we tell the story of what happened during the summer Robert Bury Executive Director & CEO of 1967, what came before and what has taken place Tobi Voigt Chief Curatorial Officer since, in a complete, comprehensive and thoughtful way — but also in Kate Baker Managing Director a way that promotes a fuller understanding of Detroit’s past struggles Tracy Irwin Director of Exhibitions & Collections of racial tension and presents opportunities to promote understanding, Alease Johnson Director of Operations communication and dialog. & Administration Kristin Rossi Director of Development Our recently announced project called Detroit 1967: Looking Back Bob Sadler Director of Marketing & Sales to Move Forward, includes a state-of-the-art exhibition at the Detroit Joel Stone Senior Curator Historical Museum, an expansive digital archive chronicling the stories of those who were in Detroit during this period and a robust schedule of OFFICERS community programs. The Project will be the Society’s major focus for Thomas C. Buhl President the next three years as we work in collaboration with numerous partners Francis W. McMillan II Immediate Past President to achieve this ambitious goal. Vice Presidents As detailed in our cover story, there are many ways you can be part of Mark J. Albrecht Jeffrey Lambrecht this transformative and important project. Join us as we use our history John Decker Dennis Levasseur to better understand what happened nearly 50 years ago and, most James Deutchman Robert R. Lubera Diane Farber Kenneth J. Svoboda importantly, move forward. Nicholas B. Gorga Jeffrey Zaleski On a sad note, I extend my condolences Lawrence N. Bluth Secretary to the family of Warren Scripps Wilkinson, David Nicholson Treasurer former Historical Commissioner and Detroit Lois Shaevsky Historian Historical Society Trustee who passed away TRUSTEES at age 95 at his home in Grosse Pointe on May 17. Mr. Wilkinson, great grandson of David A. Anderson Gregory A. Nowak James E. Scripps, founder of The Detroit Akosua Barthwell Evans Chris Onwuzurike Mary Brevard Linda Paullin-Hebden News, was an accomplished industrialist, Gary Brown Irena Politano generous philanthropist, devoted student John C. Carter Bobbi Polk of history and noted collector whose Gregory Cheesewright Dr. John Popovich contributions to the Society and museums, Judith Knudsen Christie Terrence Pryor and numerous Detroit-area organizations Douglas Dossin Leslye Rosenbaum were many. He was instrumental in creating Lena Epstein Rick Ruffner Mireille and Warren one of the museum’s signature exhibits, Stephanie Germack-Kerzic Tony Saunders Wilkinson at the Detroit Frontiers to Factories and helped establish Robert W. Gillette, Jr. Jeffrey J. Schostak Historical Museum in 2002. the Booth-Wilkinson Gallery, the Society’s Ann Greenstone Lawrence Shaevsky major changing exhibit space. On behalf of Frederick E. Hall Frederick E. Shell the Society, we offer our deepest sympathy to Warren’s family and extend Robert E. Hoban Ned Staebler Camille Jayne Dante Stella our gratitude and appreciation for what he did to make our organization The Honorable Brenda Jones Matthew A. Swegles what it is today. Kenneth Katz Frank Taylor Michael Kosonog Susan Tukel As always, we appreciate your support and encouragement. Have a great Kristin A. Lusn William H. Volz summer that I hope includes a visit to our museums soon. Sarah McClure Pamela Wyett Stephanie Nicholson Kimberly Youngblood Sincerely, ADVisory COMMITTEE Maggie Allesee Judy Christian Charles Bayer, Jr. Sean P. Cotton Joanne D. Brodie Christa M. Schwartz Robert A. Bury Kevin P.A. Broderick Thomas Shea Executive Director & CEO 3 DETROIT HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEWS Cont. from cover “There is little argument that no single event has had a more A key goal is to connect the Detroit 1967 Project to today’s significant impact on our city and region than what occurred during conversations about racial equality, gentrification, economic July of 1967,” Hudson said. “The upcoming 50-year commemoration disparity and demographic change taking place in Detroit and the Detroit 1967 Project provide a unique and much needed and throughout the country. To ensure a balanced, fair and opportunity for people to fully understand what happened and comprehensive treatment of this sensitive subject, the Society communicate on a topic that’s often not easy to talk about.” will rely extensively on a coalition of diverse partners and welcome broad, region-wide community participation. Detroit 1967 will collect stories and images relating to conditions in Detroit prior to 1967, as well as the events of that summer, Those interested in participating in the Detroit 1967 Project and explore how those factors have affected our past and or in sharing their story can visit the project website at present — and, very likely, our future. This research, along with Detroit1967.org and click on “Get Involved,” or call the project’s personal accounts, media reports and artifacts, will culminate in dedicated phone line at 313.885.1967 and leave a message. a groundbreaking exhibition about Detroit’s struggles with racial and cultural diversity. The exhibition, opening in the fall of 2016 at A growing group of community partners and advisors have the Detroit Historical Museum, will be complemented by numerous already committed their support to the project, including public programs and other components developed in collaboration New Detroit, Focus: HOPE and the Charles H. Wright Museum with a wide range of community partners. of African American History. A complete list of partners can be seen on the project website. “The riots of 1967 brought forward the ethnic and racial divisions that ignited and ran rampant for days in Detroit. Thousands were “We believe the Detroit 1967 Project can promote the arrested, 43 died and thousands were injured,” said Congressman understanding of our collective history, and foster the John Conyers. “The Detroit 1967 Project will remind us of what cooperation and reconciliation that will enable us to emerge happened and will be helpful to future generations and other cities strong, resilient and hopeful for the days ahead,” Bury said. around the country.” Two celebrations over two days will mark Detroit’s 314th Birthday The Detroit 313 Society is kicking off the celebration of Detroit’s 314th From left to right, birthday at the Detroit Historical Museum on Thursday, July 23. Blake Ellis, Emily Krajniak, Society Thursday’s event starts at 1 p.m. with the “Cars That Made Trustee Kristin Lusn, Detroit” Classic Car Show featuring two dozen vintage vehicles Jason Eddleston and along Kirby Street. Amy Zimmer enjoy last year’s Detroit At 5 p.m., join us for food trucks, drinks and music on Legends 313 Society birthday Plaza and along Kirby. party (photo by Tickets and parking information will be available for purchase Elayne Gross). online at detroithistorical.org. Please note that Kirby Street and the museum parking lot will be closed for this event. Alternative parking information will be provided online. team of explorers when he founded Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit, the beginnings of modern Detroit. For questions, please contact Jennifer DeWall at 313.833.4143 or [email protected]. At 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., docents in our Frontiers to Factories exhibit will share stories of the French and Native Americans in Detroit in Then, on Friday, July 24, remember the actual anniversary of the 1700s that illustrate the early struggles and successes of the Detroit’s founding with a day dedicated to the city’s great history! new settlement. Finally, at noon, join renowned storyteller Ivory D. The day begins with a 10 a.m. presentation from a descendant of Williams as he recounts stories of his experiences growing up in 20th Alphonse de Tonty, who was with Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac’s century Detroit in his special presentation, “The Good Ol’ Days!” Dossin Great The Dossin Great Lakes Museum will be open on Fridays this summer from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting Lakes Museum to Friday, June 5 and continuing through September 4.