Museums & art / Midtown
Detroit Historical Museum
Old streets, factory stories, and musical memories bring Detroit’s past within reach.
01 / The story of this place
Make time for these
Detroit Historical Museum tells the city’s story through everyday life as well as major change. The recreated streets of Streets of Old Detroit sit alongside accounts of automobile manufacturing, local communities, and cultural life. It makes an especially useful early stop if you want context for the neighborhoods and landmarks you will encounter later in your trip.
- Streets of Old Detroit
- The city’s automobile-manufacturing story
- Detroit’s cultural and community history
Famous Detroiters
Famous people tied to this place 4
Lexicon entries for the people who lived, worked, performed or liked to spend time here.
- Anna Sui born 1955 · fashion designer
Related place
Her designs appeared here in the 2015 exhibition Fashion D.Fined on the past, present and future of Detroit fashion.
- Kevin Saunderson born 1964 · DJ, record producer, label owner
Memorial
The museum put his mixing board on display after its 2012 renovation.
- Eddie Fowlkes born 1962 · DJ, record producer, label owner
Memorial
His handprints are set in the museum's Legends Plaza, honoring him as a techno pioneer.
- Corrado Parducci 1900–1981 · architectural sculptor
Worked here
Midtown museum of Detroit history, whose 1951 building includes Parducci's work.
A closer look
Photos were taken at different times; images are resized and cropped on cards.
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¼ · Stay
Sleep right around the corner
¼ · Free museum days
Free days here
- Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park residents with the free Detroiter membership; activate it first, residency is checked
- Michigan public library card holders, with a pass reserved online One free admission per pass; mention MAP at the front desk.
Sources & fact check · Checked: 2026-09-24
An independently written bilingual guide. This collection is not an attendance-based ranking.
Historical background: Wikipedia and its contributors; article licenses and revision histories are available on the source pages.
03 / Events
Events at this place
Published events automatically linked from our event guide. Times are local to the venue.
Nov 12, 2026, 5:00 PMFree Admission 5-8 p.m.
The Detroit Historical Society opens the Detroit Historical Museum in Detroit for a free evening on Thursday, November 12, from 5 to 8 p.m., part of its Quad Anniversary celebration. Admission is free.
Nov 12, 2026, 6:30 PMCool Cars: Unique Automobiles in the Detroit Historical Society Collection – Quad Anniversary Lecture Series
Dave Marchioni, the Detroit Historical Society's Curator of Automotive & Industry, gives a talk on Thursday, November 12, at 6:30 p.m. at the Detroit Historical Museum in Detroit. He digs into the lesser-known side of car design, and tickets are free.
Nov 14, 2026, 11:00 AMGuided Tour
Detroit Historical Society docents lead a guided tour on Saturday, November 14, at 11 a.m. at the Detroit Historical Museum in Detroit. It's an hour-long walk through the city's story, from its earliest days to its modern transformation. The tour is free, but museum admission is separate.
Nov 14, 2026, 1:00 PMGuided Tour at the Detroit Historical Museum
The Detroit Historical Society leads a docent-guided tour on Saturday, November 14, at 1 p.m. at the Detroit Historical Museum in Detroit. Experienced docents walk you through the city's story, from its earliest days to its modern transformation. The tour is free, but museum admission is separate.
Nov 18, 2026, 7:00 PMArt and Revolution in Detroit's Cass Corridor Exhibition Opening
The Detroit Historical Society opens Art and Revolution in Detroit's Cass Corridor on Wednesday, November 18, at 7 p.m. at the Detroit Historical Museum in Detroit. Jeremy Dimick and Peter Werbe share the neighborhood's story, and tickets are free.
Nov 21, 2026, 4:00 PMDetroit Bourbon Fest presented by Xfinity – Session 1
Detroit Bourbon Fest kicks off Session 1 on Saturday, November 21, at 4 p.m. at the Detroit Historical Museum in Detroit. Expect 100+ bourbons and whiskeys with live music; 21+ only, and proceeds support Rabbit Angels Rabbit Rescue. Tiered tickets with sale pricing available.
Nov 21, 2026, 7:00 PMDetroit Bourbon Fest – Session 2, presented by Xfinity
Detroit Bourbon Fest’s Session 2 runs Saturday, November 21, at 7 p.m. at the Detroit Historical Museum in Detroit. Expect 100+ bourbons and whiskeys, cocktails, beer and wine, food vendors, and live music; tiered tickets with sale pricing applied at checkout.
Nov 26, 2026, 7:30 AMAmerica's Thanksgiving Day Parade at the Detroit Historical Museum
On Thursday, November 26, from 7:30 to 11 a.m., the Detroit Historical Society hosts a spot for America's Thanksgiving Day Parade at the Detroit Historical Museum on Woodward Avenue in Detroit.
Nov 26, 2026, 7:30 AMAmerica's Thanksgiving Day Parade at the Detroit Historical Museum
The Detroit Historical Society hosts a family parade morning on Thursday, November 26, from 7:30 to 11 a.m. at the Detroit Historical Museum on Woodward Avenue, right where the parade steps off. Tickets are sold out.
Nov 28, 2026, 11:00 AMGuided Tour at the Detroit Historical Museum
The Detroit Historical Society leads a guided tour on Saturday, November 28, at 11 a.m. at the Detroit Historical Museum in Detroit. Experienced docents walk you through the city's story, from its earliest foundations to its modern-day transformation.
Nov 28, 2026, 1:00 PMGuided Tour
Docents from the Detroit Historical Society lead a guided tour of the Detroit Historical Museum in Detroit on Saturday, November 28, at 1 p.m. It's an hour-long walk through the city's story, from its earliest days to its modern transformation.
Dec 5, 2026, 2:00 PMDetroit's Palace Architect: Louis Kamper
Author, photographer and architectural historian Dale A. Carlson gives a talk on architect Louis Kamper on Saturday, December 5, at 2 p.m. at the Detroit Historical Museum in Detroit. You'll hear the stories behind buildings Metro Detroiters have known for generations. Tickets are available online.
Dec 5, 2026, 4:00 PMNoel Night 2026
The Detroit Historical Society throws a holiday evening on Saturday, December 5, from 4 to 9 p.m. at the Detroit Historical Museum on Woodward Avenue in Detroit. Expect a Thanksgiving parade exhibit, SantaBears, live music and a dance party, and admission is free.
Dec 6, 2026, 2:00 PMGuided Tour at the Detroit Historical Museum
Experienced docents lead a guided tour of the Detroit Historical Museum in Detroit on Sunday, December 6, at 2 p.m. It's a free hour that brings the city's history into sharper focus, though museum admission is separate.
Dec 6, 2026, 2:00 PMPreserving Your Family History – Quad anniversary lecture series
Detroit Historical Society hosts a lecture on preserving your family history on Sunday, December 6, at 2 p.m. at the Detroit Historical Museum in Detroit. Go to learn how to safeguard your family story; tickets available via the organizer.
Dec 6, 2026, 2:00 PMPreserving Your Family History – Quad Anniversary Lecture Series (canceled)
The lecture Preserving Your Family History, set for Sunday, December 6, at 2 p.m. at the Detroit Historical Museum in Detroit, has been canceled. The Detroit Historical Society replaced it with Slavery, Abolition, and Freedom in Early Detroit.
Dec 6, 2026, 2:30 PMSlavery, Abolition, and Freedom in Early Detroit – Quad Anniversary Lecture Series
The Detroit Historical Society hosts a lecture on slavery, abolition, and freedom in early Detroit on Sunday, December 6, at 2:30 p.m. at the Detroit Historical Museum on Woodward Avenue. Tickets are available online.
Dec 12, 2026, 5:30 PMHudson's Holidays Dinner
The Detroit Historical Society hosts the Hudson's Holidays Dinner on Saturday, December 12, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Detroit Historical Museum on Woodward Avenue in Detroit. A ticket link is available online.
Dec 13, 2026, 10:00 AMHudson's Holidays Brunch
The Detroit Historical Society hosts a holiday brunch on Sunday, December 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Detroit Historical Museum in Detroit. Tickets are available online.
Dec 13, 2026, 2:00 PMGuided Tour
Detroit Historical Society leads a guided tour on Sunday, December 13, at 2 p.m. at the Detroit Historical Museum in Detroit. Tickets available.
Dec 13, 2026, 2:30 PMMembers Cozy Coloring Cafe
The Detroit Historical Society hosts a cozy coloring cafe on Sunday, December 13, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Detroit Historical Museum in Detroit. The title points to a members-focused event.
Dec 20, 2026, 2:00 PMGuided Tour
Detroit Historical Society leads a guided tour on Sunday, December 20, at 2 p.m. at the Detroit Historical Museum in Detroit. A structured way to explore the museum; tickets available.
Dec 20, 2026, 2:00 PMNative Roots: Indigenous History of Belle Isle – quad anniversary lecture series
Detroit Historical Society hosts a “Native Roots: Indigenous History of Belle Isle” lecture on Sunday, December 20, at 2 p.m. at the Detroit Historical Museum in Detroit. Go if you want a focused look at Belle Isle’s past through Indigenous history.
Dec 20, 2026, 2:00 PMDetroit's Dynamic Dames: Quad Anniversary Lecture Series
The Detroit Historical Society hosts a talk in its Detroit's Dynamic Dames quad anniversary lecture series on Sunday, December 20, at 2 p.m. at the Detroit Historical Museum in Detroit.
Dec 27, 2026, 2:00 PMGuided Tour
Detroit Historical Society leads a guided tour on Sunday, December 27, at 2 p.m. at the Detroit Historical Museum in Detroit. Go if you want the city’s history from the people who know it best.
Jan 16, 2027, 2:00 PMSacred Spaces and City Landmarks: Spier & Rohns
The Detroit Historical Society hosts a Spier & Rohns program on Saturday, January 16, at 2 p.m. at the Detroit Historical Museum on Woodward Avenue in Detroit. It runs until 3:30 p.m.
Jan 18, 2027, 10:00 AMThe Power of Influence: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Engaged Three American Presidents
The Detroit Historical Society hosts a community program on Monday, January 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Detroit Historical Museum in Detroit. The focus is how Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. engaged three American presidents.
Feb 20, 2027, 2:00 PMDetroit in Motion and Beyond: Nathan Johnson
Nathan Johnson is the featured guest of the Detroit in Motion and Beyond series on Saturday, February 20, at 2 p.m. at the Detroit Historical Museum in Detroit. The community program, organized by the Detroit Historical Society, runs until 3:30 p.m.
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