Upcoming Events
Adults-Only Easter Egg Hunt (16 years old and older)
Saturday, May 3, 2025 | 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Castle Rouge, 23300 Davison Detroit MI 48223
Get ready for an Easter Egg Hunt like no other. The Detroit History Club is proud to present the 2025 Great Detroit History Easter Egg Hunt, this year at Castle Rouge! It’s an adults-only, history-filled adventure set against the backdrop of one of Detroit’s most intriguing and historic landmarks.
This event requires no prior knowledge or special skills—just a sense of curiosity and a love of exploration (and a good sense of humor for egg and rabbit puns). Everything you need to play will be provided. Teams of one (1) to eight (8) players will crisscross the Castle Rouge property, solving puzzles, uncovering history, and collecting hidden eggs filled with surprises. Along the way, guests will have the rare opportunity for a sneak peek inside the historic chapel, a space that has been closed to the public for years.
At the end of the hunt, teams will gather to tally their scores, and prizes will be awarded to the three fastest teams to complete the Easter Egg Hunt, as well as for creativity, teamwork, and outstanding Easter-themed costumes.
What’s Included:
Admission to the adults-only Easter Egg Hunt
A guided sneak peek inside the Castle Rouge Chapel
Everything you need to play, including baskets and game materials
Prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams, plus special awards
Access to Castle Rouge’s grounds for this exclusive event
Schedule:
12:30 PM to 1:00 PM | Check-In & Team Registration
Check-in opens at 12:30 PM
There is no need to preregister your team. As long as every player has a ticket, just show up - check in - and declare yourself a team. You will need to pick a team name.
1:00 PM TO 3:30 PM | The Great Detroit History Easter Egg Hunt
Solve clues, hunt for eggs, and uncover the history of Castle Rouge
Special sneak peek inside the historic chapel
3:30 PM – 4:00 PM | Final Tally & Prizes Announced
Winners revealed and prizes awarded
Important Details:
Age Limit: 16 years old or older
No prior knowledge or skills needed—this event is designed for everyone to enjoy
Attire: Closed-toe shoes are required due to uneven terrain; dress for outdoor weather
Bathrooms are available on-site
Free on-site parking in the circle drive of the property
Teams of 1-8 players (teams will be assigned at check-in if needed)
Weather Policy: This is an outdoor event. Light rain or chilly weather will not result in cancellation. In the case of extreme weather (thunderstorms, heavy snow, or dangerous conditions), the event will be rescheduled
The History Behind the Hunt
While Castle Rouge may look like something from a medieval fairytale, its story is deeply rooted in Detroit’s past. Originally developed by real estate magnate John H. Castle and his partner John Ford in the 1920s, the land was later transformed into a monastery for the Passionist Fathers, a retreat center dedicated to spiritual growth. Over the years, it has witnessed weddings, baptisms, wartime heroism, and a changing cityscape. Now, as restoration efforts continue, we invite guests to explore its grounds, uncover its stories, and experience its future firsthand.
Join Us!
Whether you’re here for the challenge, the history, or just the candy, the Great Detroit History Easter Egg Hunt at Castle Rouge is sure to be a fun and unforgettable adventure. Reserve your spot today—space is limited!
This is a fully non-religious, borderline blasphemous Easter egg hunt. No part of the event will contain religious elements—just Easter eggs, bunnies, and a whole lot of history-filled fun. It's a chance for adults to enjoy the childhood joy of an Easter egg hunt, but with an added mix of silliness, fascinating historical discoveries, and, of course, plenty of sugar-induced giddiness.
Driving Directions to Castle Rouge (Castle Rouge, 23300 Davison Detroit MI 48223)
Castle Rouge is easily accessible, located just off the expressway. Below are directions based on your approach:
From I-96 Eastbound (Coming from Downtown Detroit)
Take I-96 West toward Livonia.
Merge onto M-8 (Davison Freeway) West toward Telegraph Rd.
Take the exit for Evergreen Rd and turn right onto Evergreen.
Turn left onto Davison Ave.
Castle Rouge (23300 Davison) will be on your right.
From I-96 Westbound (Coming from the West Suburbs)
Take I-96 East toward Detroit.
Merge onto M-8 (Davison Freeway) West toward Telegraph Rd.
Take the exit for Evergreen Rd and turn right onto Evergreen.
Turn left onto Davison Ave.
Castle Rouge (23300 Davison) will be on your right.
From Southfield Freeway (M-39) Northbound or Southbound
Exit onto M-8 (Davison Freeway) West toward Telegraph Rd.
Take the exit for Evergreen Rd and turn right onto Evergreen.
Turn left onto Davison Ave.
Castle Rouge (23300 Davison) will be on your right.
Important Parking Information:
A detailed email with specific parking instructions will be sent to all ticketed guests the week of the event. Detroit History Club team members will be on-site directing you to secure parking.
Sunday, May 18th, 2025 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
The Detroit History Club, 3103 Commor, Hamtramck MI 48212
Doors open 30 minutes before the ticketed time. Parking is available free on the street.
In person attendance $15.00
Virtual attendance $5 per household
Virtual attendance is available through our website, $5 per household or free for Detroit History Club members. To learn more about becoming a member of the Detroit History Club, please click here.
Stor·y time
noun: Storytime
a regular time at which a story is read aloud.
a time when a story is told to a group of assembled people.
Storytime precedes bedtime for some children.
Many public libraries offer story time on a regular schedule.
Storytime for adults is just that- It’s an hour and a half to listen as an interesting person reads an interesting thing. We invite guests to BYOB (within reason), a small snack and coffee are included. As always, there will be a discussion and time for questions with the reader as part of the program. The reader is announced but their choice of book, newspaper, poems, script, or anything else is kept secret until story-time.
Interesting People Reading Interesting Things” is a monthly (ish) event hosted by The Detroit History Club. For the 51st installment, our reader is author Paul Vachon.
Paul Vachon is a seasoned writer and tour guide, combining his passion for storytelling with a deep knowledge of Detroit's rich history. With over a decade of professional writing experience, Paul has crafted engaging content for esteemed outlets such as the Detroit Free Press, Crain’s Detroit Business, HOUR Detroit, The History Channel Magazine, and Costco Connection.
A graduate of Sacred Heart Seminary College in Detroit, where he earned a B.A. in philosophy and liberal arts, Paul has authored four books on Detroit history, including Becoming the Motor City: A Timeline of Detroit’s Auto Industry and Lost Restaurants of Detroit. His works are continual bestsellers in the Detroit History Club Boutique. Additionally, Paul revises and edits the widely popular MOON Michigan and MOON Michigan’s Upper Peninsula guidebooks, published by Avalon Travel.
As a tour guide for Detroit History Tours, Paul focuses on Michigan Central Station and Detroit’s architectural treasures; His dedication to preserving and sharing Detroit’s history continues to inspire audiences through his writing and tours.
Mr. Vachon will have copies of his new book, Detroit: An Illustrated Timeline, 2nd Edition, available for purchase following the I.P.R.I.T. event. He is able to accept cash, credit, and checks.
Remote Attendance is offered for this event: Attend from anywhere!
If you're unable to attend this presentation at The Detroit History Club in person but wish to join us virtually, we are thrilled to announce our livestream opportunities. Free for Detroit History Club members or just $5 per household for non members, you'll be emailed a password to an unlisted page on our website where you'll be able to stream the presentation live, as it is happening, participate in the Q&A through texting, and spread the history fun to your home or office.
If you're unable to make the specific date and time, but wish to watch the presentation, the recorded video will remain available to those with the password for ten (10) days following the live event. Streaming works on tablets, computers, or phones that can successfully run any YouTube video.
For remote attendance the weblink and password will be emailed out 2 hours before the start of the event from Office@detroithistorytours.com.
In Person Attendance:
The Detroit History Club is located at 3103 Commor, Hamtramck, MI 48212. Free onsite parking is available along both Commor and McDougall Streets. The History Club is a former funeral home turned history-lover’s hangout. Guests are welcome to BYOB (within reason). Coffee and a small treat are included.
The Detroit History Club is honored to name our first-ever fiction selection as our Book of the Year—and to celebrate, we invite you to an evening of literature, history, and dining as Blair Underwood presents Sins of the Survivors: A Carter Brothers Novel by Joe McClean.
This exclusive event will take place at Bumbo’s Bar, the very real historic bar that served as inspiration for Geraldine’s, a central setting in the novel. It is here that we will step back in time to 1930s Detroit, immersing ourselves in the world of Black Bottom, a thriving and self-reliant Black community built during the Great Migration.
About Sins of the Survivors
Sins of the Survivors (Amistad, HarperCollins) is the lively and panoramic debut novel by filmmaker Joe McClean, presented by actor and producer Blair Underwood.
Set in 1930s Detroit, this gripping saga follows Jasper and Benjamin Carter, brothers who built an empire in Black Bottom, controlling businesses from a dry cleaner to a nightclub where Billie Holiday herself is proud to perform. But success comes at a cost. Faced with political corruption, mob influence, and rising racial tensions, the Carter brothers must navigate a world where the line between power and survival blurs. As rivalries intensify and old wounds resurface, the brothers must decide: How far will they go to protect their family, their community, and their place in history?
"The Carters in McClean’s lively narrative style are a composite of the community’s aspirations, and if the Corleones come to mind, then sit back and enjoy a semblance of the real and the imagined."
—Herb Boyd, Black Detroit
An Evening of Literature, History & Fine Dining
Guests will enjoy a thoughtfully curated evening, blending literary conversation, historic cuisine, and intimate conversations all inspired by the novel.
A Chef-Curated Meal: Renowned Detroit Chef Jermond Booze has crafted a menu honoring the themes and time period of the novel.
MENU:
Shoebox Meal #1: Sunday Fried Chicken
Main: Cold Buttermilk Fried Chicken (thigh & wing)
Sides: Mustard Potato Salad, Johnny Cakes
Pickled/Crunch: Pickled Okra
Sweet: 7-Up Pound Cake
-OR-
Shoebox Meal #2: Fried Green Tomato Sandwich
Main: Fried Green Tomato Sandwich on Cornmeal-Dusted Bread
Sides: Mustard Potato Salad, Johnny Cakes
Pickled/Crunch: Pickled Okra
Sweet: 7-Up Pound Cake
After adding your tickets to your cart you will be prompted to select your Menu Choice of vegetarian or chicken before checkout. Menu selection must be made at the time of booking. We apologize, but we are unable to accommodate substitutions or special dietary requests for the meal at this event
Choice of One Signature Cocktail or Mocktail: Bar owner and mixologist Tia, will create a custom beverage inspired by Sins of the Survivors. One cocktail or mocktail is included in your ticket cost, additional drinks and full bar service is available at the guests own expense. Orders will be placed in person, no need to make a selection now.
What Comes With A Ticket?
Exclusive Early Access: Guests will receive the first two chapters of the novel electronically (via email) three weeks before the book is released (May 4th, 2025)!
Signed First Edition Paperback: Be among the first to own a copy of Sins of the Survivors, personally signed by Joe McClean and Blair Underwood; copies will be distributed at the event.
Dinner & Conversation with the Author and Presenter: Enjoy an intimate shoe-box meal with Joe McClean and Blair Underwood, followed by a moderated discussion exploring the novel’s inspirations and historical context. (Yes, they will both be there, in the flesh.)
Insights from the Chef & Mixologist: Learn how the evening’s menu was designed to bring the world of the book to life.
Date & Location
Bumbo’s Bar – 3001 Holbrook, Hamtramck, MI 48212
Two Seatings:
Thursday, May 29th, 2025 2:00 PM TO 4:30 PM
Thursday, May 29th, 2025 6:00 PM TO 8:30 PM
This is more than just a book launch—it is a rare opportunity to experience the rich history, dynamic characters, and compelling storytelling of Sins of the Survivors in an unforgettable way.
Seats are extremely limited, just like Geralidine’s in the novel, Bumbo’s is a small neighborhood joint brimming with stories. Each seating of this event is limited to just 35 guests.
The Detroit History Club is proud to promote a budget friendly option hosted by our friends at Source bookstore: Join Joe McClean and Blair Underwood for a free event at Source Booksellers on Wednesday, May 28th, 2025! To attend please call the store at 313-832-1155 to reserve your spot—and don’t forget to support one of our wonderful Detroit bookseller while you're there!
About the Authors:
Blair Underwood is a two-time Golden Globe and Tony nominee, as well as an Emmy, Grammy, Peabody and eight-time NAACP Image Award-winning actor, director, and producer. He made his acting debut in the 1985 musical film Krush Groove, and, from 1987 to 1994, starred as attorney Jonathan Rollins in the NBC legal drama series L.A. Law. Underwood has starred in numerous film, television, and stage productions, including Longlegs, Three Women, Deep Impact Sex in the City, Set It Off, Madea’s Family Reunion, Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C. J. Walker and many more. Underwood received his first Tony Award nomination as Best Lead Actor in a Play after starring in the 2020 Broadway revival of the Pulitzer Prize- winning drama A Soldier’s Play.
Joe McClean is a screenwriter and director whose 2013 breakout indie feature, Life Tracker, screened at dozens of film festivals and sci-fi conventions before streaming On Demand in 100 million homes through cable providers. His follow up, the indie-darling The Drama Club, premiered at Grauman’s Chinese theater in 2017 before finding a home on Tubi. His most recent endeavor, Viral, written and produced by McClean, was directed by and stars Blair Underwood.
Saturday, June 7th, 2025 | 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Check-in opens at 5:45 PM
The Detroit Zoo | 8450 W 10 Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI 48067
Are you a super sleuth? Can you piece together clues and trace stories through history by exploring habitats, architecture, and animal care? Join The Detroit History Club for an unforgettable adventure — an adults-only (16 years old and older) evening scavenger hunt through the world-famous Detroit Zoo!
Opening to the public in 1928, this zoo was not the city's first; however, its spacious habitats, care of its species, and top-notch innovations quickly catapulted it to international fame. From lions to tigers to bears… oh my!
The beloved Detroit Zoo has also played host to unique moments in history:
During the Great Depression, zoo land was turned into farms to help feed Michiganders.
From 1933–34, the Civil Works Administration and Federal Emergency Relief Administration funded the hippopotamus house and beaver habitat.
From 1935–37, the WPA built the animal hospital, admin building, and much of the zoo’s early landscaping.
In 1968, the Penguinarium opened—the first zoo building in the world designed entirely for penguins.
From the weird to the wild, art to aardvarks, and history to homecomings; from the industrial tycoons who donated all manner of things and beasts, to the creatures who call Royal Oak home, you’ll never look at the zoo the same way again.
How It Works:
Guests will arrive at the closed-to-the-public zoo where they will check in as a team before heading out to explore, investigate, and unlock history by completing challenges, quizzes, riddles, and scavenger tasks located throughout the zoo’s expansive campus. Teams of 2 to 6 players will collect items, compete in challenges, and puzzle out all manner of clues.
Explore exhibits, spot historical details, and uncover the wild history of this remarkable place — all without the usual crowds.
From the monkeys to the giraffes, the main gallery to the reptile house, you’ll step, crawl, slither, and gallop into the fascinating past of the Detroit Zoo. From birds who served in WWII to a turtle found walking on 14 Mile Road, this promises to be an evening over 90 years in the making.
Winning & Prizes:
The first three teams who successfully solve all of the challenges and collect each of the items, will go home with Detroit-made prizes, Detroit Zoo swag, and bragging rights.
All guests who participate in the History Scavenger Hunt will receive a custom (designed and silkscreened in Detroit) Detroit zoo tote bag, a pile of fun items collected throughout the hunt, and memories that will last a lifetime.
No prior knowledge or skill is needed to play or to win!
Additional Prizes will be awarded for great team names, individual challenges, or pure zoo magic.
Helpful Information:
Parking is $8 per car. Save time by pre-purchasing parking via theDetroit Zoo’s website. Zoo members receive free parking with their membership card.
Included in your ticket:
Admission to the Detroit Zoo after hours.
A Detroit History Club Detroit Zoo custom tote bag (very helpful as you collect buttons, stickers, and more throughout the hunt)
A chance at additional prizes
No food or drink is permitted into the zoo and no food service is available during the event. We recommend eating before arrival.
WATER BOTTLES ARE WELCOME!
Teams are 2 to 6 players.
Membership in the Detroit History Club is not required to participate in Detroit History Club events.
Comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are highly recommended. This event is held rain or shine unless deemed unsafe by the Detroit Zoo.
The zoo is ADA compliant. For specific mobility needs, please email us at office@detroithistorytours.com.
Tickets & Entry:
Your order confirmation email serves as your ticket – nothing will be shipped. Show it at check-in (printed or on your phone).You can also check-in by name upon arrival.
No hidden fees or service charges EVER — the price you see is the price you pay. Your ticket total will remain the same throughout checkout.
All tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.
Guests over 16 years of age are welcome. Those under 18 must attend with an adult.