Detroit Historical Society features Seven Days-Seven Stories
Guests will enjoy free admission, activities for all ages
in celebration of Detroit’s 310th birthday
As the Detroit Historical Society celebrates the city’s 310th birthday, the public is invited to visit the Detroit Historical Museum for Seven Days-Seven Stories during Detroit Heritage Week – July 25-31. Admission is free with the museum open every day from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
During the week, the museum will dedicate each day to preview some of the upgrades and new exhibits coming to the museum as part of thePast>Forward campaign. Encompassing everything from Detroit’s innovators, entertainers and sports stars, to significant stories of the Underground Railroad and the Greatest Generation, the week’s events will include a classic car show, costume contest and daily children’s activities to connect these cultural themes.
“From speakers, musicians and hands-on, family-centered activities to Detroit-made foods, visitors will find a full and lively experience here each day of Detroit Heritage Week,” said Bob Bury, CEO of the Detroit Historical Society. “Because admission is free, we want the community to attend as often as they like to have fun and learn about the exciting changes to come.”
During Seven Days-Seven Stories, museum coming attractions will spring to life as visitors experience a sneak preview of exciting new and refreshed exhibits, including:
- Monday, July 25 – Detroit’s Greatest Innovators - Author Amy Clarke of Inventerrific speaks about some of our region’s greatest innovators while looking at nostalgic innovations from the Slinky to Tinker Toys. The museum’s Cadillac Café hosts three gaming stations each devoted to innovative problem solving for groups or children. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. the Imagination Station will allow children to use arts and craft supplies to create a solution to a posed problem, build a working windmill out of Tinker Toys or a tower out of drinking straws.
- Tuesday, July 26 – Underground Railroad Stories - Highlighting the upcoming Doorway to Freedom exhibit expansion, presentations will include a storytelling experience from 11 a.m. to noon, followed by an author series and book signings. Authors include:
- 1-2 p.m. Mary Edmonds will speak about “The National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.”
- 2-3 p.m. Former Detroit News Columnist Betty DeRamus will share a presentation on “Gold Prospectors and Traveling Preachers: The Forgotten Heroes and Heroines of Michigan’s Underground Railroad.”
- 3-4 p.m. Allen Barksdale will discuss Elmwood Cemetery, Detroit’s 160-year-old historic cemetery
Cadillac Café will also host three educational craft stations devoted to the Underground Railroad and the anti-slavery movement from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 27 – Celebrating the Motor City – Auto enthusiasts won’t want to miss a classic car show featuring 40 vehicles on Kirby Street, showcasing Detroit’s rich history of automotive production and design. The show begins at 10 a.m. Voting will take place from 3-3:45 p.m. and winners will be chosen in the Mayor’s Choice, Director’s Choice and People’s Choice categories. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., children’s activities in the Cadillac Cafe include a coloring station, design-your-own race car station and an assembly line activity cart.
- Thursday, July 28 - The Streets of Detroit Come Alive – The Streets of Old Detroit will be filled with docents dressed in period clothing and storefronts will open to the public. Beginning at noon, the Dodworth Saxhorn Band will stroll through the Streets performing Americana music, and food stations sponsored by Golden Spice Catering will feature delicious offerings inspired by Eastern Market, Greektown, Paradise Valley and Black Bottom, Dearborn, Hamtramck and Mexicantown. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. a history detective activity will keep groups guessing for prizes in the Streets.
- Friday, July 29 – Remembering The Arsenal of Democracy – Another new exhibit The Arsenal of Democracy is featured in an 11:30 a.m. presentation by author Mike Davis and a 1 p.m. screening of Keith Famie’s documentary, “Detroit’s Greatest Generation” in the auditorium. Children’s activities in Cadillac Café run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a ration game, a Victory Garden craft and a coloring activity including WWII poster art.
- Saturday, July 30 – Detroit’s Unique Culture – Get in the spirit of Detroit with a Detroit Legends Costume Contest. Registration begins at 10 a.m. and the contest begins at 1 p.m. Detroit City Councilman James Tate will present awards at 2 p.m. in three age categories: 12 and under; 13-17 and 18 and older. First prize is $100 and Second Prize is $50 in each category. Detroit-made foods like Better Made potato chips, Sanders ice cream, Vernor’s and Faygo will be featured. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. visitors will be invited to share their Detroit Memories on video for use on the Society YouTube page and are welcome to vote for Detroit legend candidates to be invited to have their handprints cast in cement in the museum’s upcoming Legends Plaza.
- Sunday, July 31 – Our Maritime Heritage - The Dossin Great Lakes Museum welcomes visitors from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to celebrate its upcoming new exhibit Built by the River with a visit by storyteller and musician Mike Deren. With performances at noon and 2 p.m., he takes the crowd back in time portraying an 1840 Erie Canal boat captain and an 1875 Great Lakes schooner captain. Author Annessa Carlisle will display Bob-lo boat artifacts. Family activities include a Great Lakes geography map floor activity and a Navigate the Straits maze.
For more information on Seven Days-Seven Stories, visit the Detroit Historical Society website at www.detroithistorical.org.
5401 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, Michigan 48202
Enjoy!
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