Eastern Michigan
EVENTS
Saturday, February 16, 2019 | Game-A-Rama | Caseville
The Historical Society of Caseville presents “Game-A-Rama.” Join us for an assortment of games, hot chocolate, and prizes. This event is part of Caseville’s “Shanty Days” festival. The time for this event is noon – 4:30 p.m., and it takes place at the Caseville Historical Museum, 6733 Prospect Street. A Shanty Days button is required, which costs $5. For more information, call (989) 856-9090 or email chscm@comcast.net.
Sunday, February 17, 2019 | A Time of Terror: The Black Legion & Deadly Racism in Detroit| West Bloomfield Township
The Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society presents “A Time of Terror: The Black Legion & Deadly Racism in Detroit” During the 1920s, the Ku Klux Klan was revived and became a powerful institution in Michigan, including Detroit. During the 1930s, their violent stepchild, the Black Legion, was born and left a trail of murders throughout the state. Please come and hear historian Jamon Jordan as he discusses the history of these two violent white supremacist organizations during their height of influence. The time for this event is 2 p.m., and it takes place at West Bloomfield Library Main Meeting Room, 4600 Walnut Lake Road. The cost is free. For more information, call (248) 518-0871 or visit gwbhs.org/events/.
Sunday, February 24, 2019 | Lisette Dennison Forth: First Person of Color to Own Property in Territorial Michigan | Pontiac
The Oakland County Pioneer and Historical Society presents “Lisette Dennison Forth: First Person of Color to Own Property in Territorial Michigan.” Lisette Denison Forth was born a slave near Detroit, worked as a maid, and eventually became a Pontiac landowner and philanthropist. Celebrating Black History Month, Rosie Richardson will speak on Lisette’s early life, freedom, and her contribution in the building of St. James Episcopal Church in Grosse Ile. Her life story has been documented by Michigan Historic Site Markers, the National Register of Historic Places, Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame, and as a Daughters of the American Revolution Women in American History Honoree. The time for this event is 2 p.m., and it takes place at the Carriage House, 405 Cesar E. Chavez Ave. The cost is $7. For more information, call (248) 338-6732 or visit www.ocphs.org/.
Wednesday, February 27, 2019 | Lecture: Henry Ford’s Relationships with Employees | Northville
The Northville Historical Society presents “Lecture: Henry Ford’s Relationships with Employees.” Join us for a look at Henry Ford’s village industries with an emphasis on the Northville Ford plant. The time for this event is 7-9 p.m., and it takes place at the New School Church, Mill Race Historical Village, 215 Griswold. The cost is free. For more information, call (248) 348-1845 or visit www.millracenorthville.org/.
Saturday, March 9, 2019 | Michigan’s Journey to Statehood | Commerce Township
The Commerce Township Community Library presents “Michigan’s Journey to Statehood.” Detroit was founded by the French, taken over by the British, and finally became an American city in 1796. These were key moments that propelled Michigan toward statehood. Join us as Joseph Oldenburg discusses Michigan’s past! The time for this event is 2-3 p.m., and it takes place at the Commerce Township Community Library. Registration is required. For more information, call (248) 669-8108 or visit tinyurl.com/commerceprograms.
Saturday, March 16, 2019 | 42nd Annual Spring Seminar | Monroe
The Genealogical Society of Monroe County, Michigan presents the “42nd Annual Spring Seminar.” Speaker Jessica Trotter will hold four sessions throughout the day on The ABC’s of DNA, British Isle to Canada to Michigan, Scandalous Ancestors, and Road Trip! No, Really It Is Not All Online.
There will be a 1.5-hour break for lunch which will be cafeteria style at each person’s expense and breaks between each session to visit vendors and win door prizes. A list of local restaurants will be included in the seminar booklet. The price is $30 for preregistration and $35 the day of the event. The cut-off for preregistration is Friday, March 8, 2019. The doors open at 7 a.m., the event is from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., and it takes place at Monroe County Community College, 1555 S. Raisinville Road. For more information, visit gsmcmi.org.
Wednesday, March 27, 2019 | Lecture: Vintage Theaters and Their Importance | Northville
The Northville Historical Society presents “Lecture: Vintage Theaters and Their Importance.” Join us for an entertaining look at the small theaters in towns that helped to keep those towns together. The time for this event is 7-9 p.m., and it takes place at the New School Church, Mill Race Historical Village, Griswold. The cost is free. For more information, call (248) 348-1845 or visit www.millracenorthville.org/.
Saturday, April 6, 2019 | Salem Area Historical Society Dinner and Auction |Plymouth
The Salem Area Historical Society presents the “Salem Area Historical Society Dinner and Auction.” Tickets are now available for the 2019 Annual Dinner and Auction at Fox Hills Golf & Banquet Center’s Classic Log Cabin Club House. The event includes a buffet dinner, a silent auction, a live auction, and fun for all. There will be around 100 items available during the auction. Auction items include tickets to area attractions, historical items, tickets to national attractions, local businesses items, and restaurant gift cards. The time for this event is 6-9:30 p.m., and it takes place at Fox Hills Golf & Banquet Center, 8768 N. Territorial Road. Tickets to this pre-paid event are $37.00 for SAHS Member and $42 for non-SAHS Member. All proceeds will be used to maintain the South Salem Stone School and the Dickenson Barn. Tickets can be purchased via our website’s “SAHS Dinner/Auction” page. For more information, call (248) 486-0669 or visit sahshistory.org/.
Wednesday, April 24, 2019 | Lecture: The History of the Detroit Thanksgiving Parade | Northville
The Northville Historical Society presents “Lecture: The History of the Detroit Thanksgiving Parade.” Join us for an entertaining look at how and why Detroit came to have a Thanksgiving Day parade. The time for this event is 7-9 p.m., and it takes place at the New School Church, Mill Race Historical Village, Griswold. The cost is free. For more information, call (248) 348-1845 or visit www.millracenorthville.org/.
Sunday, May 26, 2019 | Ice Cream Social | Caseville
The Historical Society of Caseville presents “Ice Cream Social.” Join us for an afternoon of ice cream and socializing, and explore new displays at the museum. The time for this event is 1-3 p.m., and it takes place at the Caseville Historical Museum, 6733 Prospect Street. The cost is free but sundaes cost $4. For more information, call (989) 856-9090 or email chscm@comcast.net.
Wednesday, May 29, 2019 | Lecture: The History of Bathtub Gin in Detroit | Northville
The Northville Historical Society presents “Lecture: The History of Bathtub Gin in Detroit.” A look back at prohibition and how the common person tried to get around the rules. The time for this event is 7-9 p.m., and it takes place at New School Church, Mill Race Historical Village, 215 Griswold. The cost is free. For more information, call (248) 348-1845 or visit www.millracenorthville.org/.
Wednesday, June 12, 2019 | Ladies Luncheon | Caseville
The Historical Society of Caseville presents “Ladies Luncheon.” Join us for an afternoon including ladies lunch and socializing. The time for this event is 1-3 p.m., and it takes place at the Caseville Historical Museum, 6733 Prospect Street. The cost is $10. For more information, call (989) 856-9090 or email chscm@comcast.net.
Thursday, June 20, 2019 | Old Pap: Michigan Civil War General Alpheus Williams | Commerce Township
The Commerce Township Community Library presents “Old Pap: Michigan Civil War General Alpheus Williams.” The preeminent military figure in Michigan before the Civil War, A.S. Williams led Union troops at the bloody battles of Antietam, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. He then transferred West for service in the capture of Atlanta, the March to the Sea, and the Carolinas Campaign that wrapped up the War. Civil War historian, Jack Dempsey, presents the story of Williams’ life based on his 2019 biography of this great Michigander. The time for this event is 7-8 p.m., and it takes place at the Commerce Township Community Library, White Pine Room, 180 E. Commerce Street. The cost is free. For more information, call (248) 669-8108 or visit tinyurl.com/ctclprograms.
Thursday, July 4, 2019 | Fourth of July Celebration | Northville
The Northville Historical Society presents “Fourth of July Celebration.” Enjoy the parade then join us for music, games, and fun Victorian Style during this old fashioned holiday. The time for this event is 11 a.m. -2:30 p.m., and it takes place at Mill Race Historical Village 215, Griswold. The cost is free but there is a cost for food and some items. For more information, call (248) 348-1845 or visit www.millracenorthville.org/.
Thursday, July 18, 2019 | Grand River Avenue: From Detroit to Lake Michigan | Commerce Township
The Commerce Township Community Library presents “Grand River Avenue: From Detroit to Lake Michigan.” Co-Authors Jon Milan and Gail Offen will take you on a visual tour along one of Michigan’s true “Blue Highways,” sharing an hour of photos, memories, anecdotes, and history of this amazing treasure. The time for this event is 7- 8:30 p.m., and it takes place at the Commerce Township Community Library – White Pine Room. The cost is free, but registration is recommended. For more information, call (248) 669-8108 or visit tinyurl.com/commerceprograms.
Friday, August 9, through Sunday, August 18, 2019 | Cheeseburger Museum & What Is It? contest | Caseville
The Historical Society of Caseville presents the “Cheeseburger Museum & What Is It? contest.” Experience the ever popular “What Is It?” contest, with raffles and prizes, along with a collection of past “Cheeseburger in Caseville” festival memorabilia. The time for this event is 12-4:30 p.m., and it takes place at the Caseville Historical Museum, 6733 Prospect Street. The cost is free. For more information, call (989) 856-9090 or email chscm@comcast.net.
Saturday, September 21, 2019 | Michigan POW Camps in WWII | Commerce Township
The Commerce Township Community Library presents “Michigan POW Camps in WWII.” Professor Greg Sumner, Professor of History at the University of Detroit Mercy, will discuss his new book, Michigan POW Camps in WWII. In it, he tells the human side of the 6,000 German and Italian prisoners who lived in Michigan during the war and helps us understand why so many of them eventually became U.S. citizens. The time for this event is 1-2:30 p.m., and it takes place at the Commerce Township Community Library – White Pine Room. The cost is free, but registration is recommended. For more information, call (248) 669-8108 or visit tinyurl.com/commerceprograms.
Saturday, September 21, 2019 | Classic Car Show | Caseville
The Historical Society of Caseville presents the “Classic Car Show.” Walk around and enjoy a variety of classic cars at the Car Show. Awards will be given for multiple categories. The time for this event is 10 a.m. -3 p.m., and it takes place at the Caseville Historical Museum, 6733 Prospect Street. The cost is free. For more information, call (989) 856-9090 or email chscm@comcast.net.
Saturday, September 28, and Sunday, September 29, 2019 | Countywide Museum Weekend | Caseville
The Historical Society of Caseville presents “Countywide Museum Weekend.” The Huron County Historical Society kindly invites one and all to Huron County’s Countywide Museum Weekend on the last full weekend in September. Most museums in Huron County will be open. The time for this event is 11 a.m. -4 p.m., and it takes place at the Caseville Historical Museum, 6733 Prospect Street. The cost is free. For more information, call (989) 856-9090 or email chscm@comcast.net.
Sunday, October 13, 2019 | Halloween Hysteria | Northville
The Northville Historical Society presents “Halloween Hysteria.” Trick or treat thru our Victorian Village, play games, paint a pumpkin, and play with our Halloween characters. The time for this event is 1-5 p.m., and it takes place at Mill Race Historical Village, 215 Griswold. The cost is free. For more information, call (248) 348-1845 or visit www.millracenorthville.org/.
Thursday, October 17, 2019 | Copper Miners of Michigan | Commerce Township
The Commerce Township Community Library presents “Copper Miners of Michigan.” Donna Simons, author of “Copper Empire,” will trace the beginning of copper mining in Michigan, starting with Douglas Houghton, and end with copper mines being shut down permanently in 1968. She will explain dangerous working conditions in a copper mine and why the miners decided to go out on a labor strike that divided the community. Her presentation will finish with a description of the Italian Hall tragedy that took the lives of 73 people on Christmas Eve of 1913 after someone yelled fire in a crowded room. The time for this event is 7-8 p.m., and it takes place at Commerce Township Community Library – White Pine Room. The cost is free, but registration is recommended. For more information, call (248) 669-8108 or visit tinyurl.com/commerceprograms.
Sunday, October 27, 2019 | Fall Feast and Auction | Caseville
The Historical Society of Caseville presents “Fall Feast and Auction.” Join us for a banquet and an exciting auction fundraiser. The time for this event is 1-3 p.m., and it takes place at the Caseville Historical Museum, 6733 Prospect Street. The cost is $20. For more information, call (989) 856-9090 or email chscm@comcast.net.
Sunday, November 24, 2019 | Christmas in the Village | Northville
The Northville Historical Society presents “Christmas in the Village.” Join us for a Victorian Christmas in a beautifully decorated Victorian Village. Carolers, various music groups, crafts for kids, storytelling, and Creme Tea await in a page out of Charles Dickens. The time for this event is 12-4 p.m., and it takes place at Mill Race Historical Village, 215 Griswold. The cost is free, but there is a cost for food. For more information, call (248) 348-1845 or visit www.millracenorthville.org/.
EXHIBITS
Friday, January 4, 2019 – Friday, April 26, 2019 | “Over There” with the American Expeditionary Forces in France During the First World War | Ann Arbor
The University of Michigan Clements Library presents “’Over There’ with the American Expeditionary Forces in France During the First World War.” Featuring both archival materials and three-dimensional objects, this exhibit highlights the first-hand accounts of American soldiers serving in the First World War in 1917-18. View handwritten letters, death reports, postcards, photographs, and artifacts providing a glimpse of the day-to-day lives, longings, and horrific realities of war they experienced while fighting “Over There” on the Western Front. The exhibit is open on Fridays from 10 a.m. -4 p.m. (Jan. 4 – Apr. 26), and it takes place at Clements Library, 909 South University Ave. The cost is free. For more information, call (734) 647-0864 or visit clements.umich.edu.
Every Wednesday through Saturday during the month of February 2019 | Historic Ice Fishing |Caseville
The Historical Society of Caseville presents “Historic Ice Fishing.” All are invited to view this exciting exhibit of historic ice fishing equipment. The time for this event is noon – 4:30 p.m., and it takes place at the Caseville Historical Museum, 6733 Prospect Street. The cost is free. For more information, call (989) 856-9090 or email chscm@comcast.net.
