DETROIT – The Detroit Historical Society recently launched an ambitious series of exhibitions this summer, showcasing everything from Wayne County’s diverse communities to Detroit’s comic book legacy and LGBTQ+ history.
Preserving Community Stories
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Located in the historic Guardian Building, the Wayne County History Project marks a groundbreaking partnership between the Detroit Historical Society and Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans.
The 18-month exhibit series will spotlight all 43 communities within Michigan’s most populous county through rotating quarterly displays.
The Wayne County History Project will create a lasting digital legacy through a free, searchable archive database set to launch later this year.
Visitors to the Guardian Building exhibition can take home commemorative postcards, allowing them to carry pieces of local history with them.
The exhibitions reflect the Detroit Historical Society’s commitment to preserving and sharing the diverse stories and artifacts that have shaped Metro Detroit’s cultural landscape.
Building Detroit’s Creative Legacy
Meanwhile, visitors can explore “Heroes vs. Villains: Detroit’s Comic Book Story,” which highlights local illustrators, writers and creators who have shaped popular culture at the Detroit Historical Museum.
“We want people to know that if they are inspired to do something like this, it’s not out of reach,” said Billy Wall-Winkel, Field Curator at the Detroit Historical Society. “You don’t need to live in New York City. You don’t need to live on the coast. You can do it right here.”
Celebrating Pride Month and Local LGBTQ History
The museum is also commemorating the 30th anniversary of “Hotter Than July,” Detroit’s significant Black Pride celebration.
Rebecca Salminen Witt, chief strategy and marketing officer at the Detroit Historical Museum, explained the event’s historical importance.
“Black people in Detroit didn’t feel included in the Pride celebrations that were happening at that time and they needed something that felt like it was just for them,” said Witt.
Palmer Park became a cornerstone for the Black queer community, representing a crucial chapter in Detroit’s LGBTQ+ history.