Blog

Red Star: Help the Horse to Save the Soldier

Posted October 22, 2018 by Bill Pringle

World War I was an unprecedented conflict. At the intersection of dramatic new weapons of war, a shrinking globe, automobiles, aviation, and more hallmarks of innovation, the world was changing – for both soldier and civilian. Before the emergence of television or even commercial radio, governments needed a widespread and effective method of delivering wartime information to their population. This led to many countries using the already popular advertising medium of posters to broadcast messages during the war.

Downtown’s Forgotten Resort

Posted September 24, 2018 by Brendan Roney
In addition to the original structure, and the Wayne Gardens, this c. 1915 postcard shows a planned six-story addition to the complex, which was to follow the construction of the two-story mineral baths.

 

Bill Kennedy at the Movies

Posted August 13, 2018 by Eric Dalton
Heavyweight boxing champion, Joe Louis, with Kennedy in 1961.

 

Top o’ the World, Ma!

Posted July 13, 2018 by Joel Stone

Imagine that you are fourteen years old in 1911, and your dad is into the latest transportation fad—not automobiles, but aeroplanes!

100 Years Young

Posted May 24, 2018 by Cathy Moeller

I’ll Be There For You, When You Can’t Find the Door?

Posted May 18, 2018 by Brendan Roney

Nestled within the archives of the Detroit Historical Society are a pair of surprising pop culture artifacts--copies of the draft lyrics for both the theme song of the 90s T.V.

The Tigers Win the Pennant(s)!

Posted April 6, 2018 by Jeremy Dimick

In preparing for our forthcoming exhibit: “The Year of the Tiger: 1968” (opening April 21th, 2018) much of our staff has been engrossed in details related to the Detroit Tigers World Series run that year.  The '68 team holds a special significance for Tiger fans; their on-field accomplishments (103 wins, dominate pitching, and prolific power hitting) captured a generation of fan interest and earned Detroiters lifelong devotion.

Back To The Future of the 1989 North American International Auto Show

Posted January 19, 2018 by Brendan Roney

Each year, crowds flock to the Detroit International Auto Show to catch a glimpse into the future.  Some attendees are focused on their immediate futures; they are eyeing this year's models and are planning their next purchase.  Others go to experience a further and more fantastic future hinted at through the show’s concept cars.  A video tape in our collection prominently features several of the concept cars which captured the imaginations of attendees to the 1989 North American International Auto Show.  29 years later, we know how things turned out; our world is now one of wireless connec

Looking Back at 1967 at 24 Frames per Second

Posted July 23, 2017 by Brendan Roney
Soldiers watch as flames swirl and rise from storefronts along the southwest side of 12th Street, near Taylor Street--one block away from where, days earlier on July 23, 1967, an early morning police raid sparked the unrest.

 

Isiah at the Joe

Posted June 1, 2017 by Brendan Roney

This April, the Detroit Red Wings—and their fans—bid farewell to Joe Louis Arena.  The team had called the Joe home since 1979.  However the arena had always been a shared home—often with hoops and boards replacing the ice and nets.  The very first event held at the Joe had in fact been a basketball game between the University of Michigan and the University of Detroit.  The stadium has also hosted professional basketball games on several unusual occasions.  In 1984, a scheduling conflict with a motocross event resulted in the Detroit Pistons’ nail-biting loss in the decisive fifth game in t

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