Detroit 67: Perspectives

Second place honors from the 2019 Best in Heritage competition

Winner of the 2018 National Medal from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the 2018 Leadership in History Award  from the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) and the 2018 History in Progress Award from AASLH

Starting in 2015, the Detroit Historical Society convened diverse groups and communities around the effects of a historic crisis with its Detroit 67: Looking Back to Move Forward project. From the hundreds of oral histories in our archive, the assistance and input of our many partners, and the latest historical scholarship, we have developed the Detroit 67: Perspectives exhibition to allow visitors to better understand the events of July 1967, what led up to them, where we are today and how to connect to efforts moving Detroit forward.

Detroit 67: Perspectives begins by looking at the complex, compounding factors that took place across metropolitan Detroit during the 50 years prior to 1967, followed by a review of the unrest that occurred between July 23 and August 1, 1967. Next, the exhibition explores the past 50 years up to the present day, detailing the progress we have made as well the setbacks we have encountered. The exhibition narrative concludes by offering a perspective on what lies ahead and will challenge the community to use what we have learned in the past 100+ years to help create a future for Detroit filled with unparalleled promise and opportunity.

Detroit 67: Perspectives was developed in close collaboration with numerous scholars and subject matter experts. In addition to core cultural and non-profit partners like the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, New Detroit, and the Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion, we have enlisted noted academic experts, authors and community leaders to help guide our effort. View a full list of partners and sponsors.

Are you interested in visiting the exhibition with a group of 10 or more? Learn more about our Detroit 67 Facilitated Group Experience and sign up here.