Monday, February 02, 2009

MTM: Detroit Historical Museum


Philip Levine reading. (Born in Detroit in 1928)








The Detroit Historical Museum, established in 1928, is one of America’s oldest and largest museums dedicated to metropolitan history.

Over 80,000 square feet of exhibition space house more than 600 historic artifacts in the heart of Detroit’s Cultural Center district.

You can stroll through more than 300 years of metro Detroit history, including a 19th century street scene known as The Streets of Old Detroit, and an authentic auto assembly line known simply as The Motor City.



Current exhibits include:

  • Hero or Villain? Metro Detroit's Legacy of Leadership

  • What makes a leader? Are there certain qualities or characteristics that define leadership? Are leaders a product of their time or would they have risen to such status regardless of when they lived? Moreover, why do some think of a particular leader as a “hero” and others as a “villain”?

  • 100 Years Ago

  • Did you ever wonder how large the City of Detroit was 100 years ago? Do you know what song made its debut a century ago and is still sung by millions of people each year?

  • 1920s: Detroit's Building Boom

  • The 1920s is often called Detroit's Golden Age - find out why in this exciting temporary exhibit, which features a look at the skyscrapers, infrastructure and architects who made this decade great.

  • Detroit's Official Symbols

  • Learn about the City of Detroit's flag and official seal in this great exhibit!

  • Doorway to Freedom - Detroit and the Underground Railroad

  • Learn about Detroit's important role in the Underground Railroad in this exhibit.

  • Fabulous 5: Detroit's Entertainment Venues

  • Visitors will learn about five of the region's greatest entertainment venues in this temporary exhibit.

  • Frontiers to Factories

  • Come see what Detroit was like before the advent of the automobile!

  • Glancy Trains

  • A crowd favorite for years, The Glancy Trains are from the collection of Alfred R. Glancy Jr. (1908-1973), real estate financier and former co-owner of the Empire State Building in New York City.

  • Meier's Wonderful Clock

  • An unique item on display and one that visitors frequently take photographs of is Meier’s “Wonderful Clock,” built in Detroit to demonstrate the skill of clockmaker Louis Meier, Sr. It served to advertise his jewelry store located on Gratiot and East Grand Boulevard.

  • Model T Centennial

  • In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the introduction of Henry Ford’s most successful early car, our Automotive Showplace features a 1911 Model T. Little did Henry Ford know that this “Tin Lizzie” was destined to change the world!

  • Motor City

  • The Motor City exhibit is one of the Detroit Historical Museum’s most highly visible exhibitions, of interest to school groups, families and auto enthusiasts alike. Opened in December 1995, the goal of this exhibit was to provide a permanent display that would tell the stories of both how cars built metro Detroit and how metro Detroit built cars!

  • Ralph J. Bunche "Global Impact - Detroit Roots"

  • People from all over can view this exhibit and pay their respects to one of the world’s most honored

    Check out other My Town Monday posts at Travis Erwins Grand Central Station

    9 comments:

    Sepiru Chris said...

    I have friends that live near Detroit who know that I like museums and such; why have they not told me of places like this.

    I love visiting factories in Asia; it would be interesting from an OSH perspective to see how an old Detroit assembly line compares with modern ones across Asia.

    Thanks for the précis visit, Pattinase.

    Charles Gramlich said...

    I like museums, but mostly natural history ones.

    pattinase (abbott) said...

    Thanks Sepiru Chris. YOu should come and visit the River Rouge Plant and watch them make cars then.
    Chalres-I am not suprised. We do have a science center. I should do that soon.

    Travis Erwin said...

    That would be a place I'd check out if I were going to make the union trip to Detroit, but after the fire it is doubtful that I will.

    Jenn Jilks said...

    I love museums. Have you visited the virtual newseum? Way cool!

    pattinase (abbott) said...

    Love the newseum but I haven't seen it since it moved into the city from Arlington.

    Linda McLaughlin said...

    Sounds like a great museum. Detroit's history is interesting and varied.

    Barbara Martin said...

    I like to going to see all museums, those natural history is my favourite. I have made note of these for when I do visit Detroit.

    Lyzzydee said...

    I am obviously getting older, as I now love museums, I can remember being dragged around them as a kid and hating it!!!