Upcoming Events
Sunday, March, 30th 2025 2:00 pm to 4:00 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 storytime 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 49th installment, our reader is author Alan Reuther.
Alan Reuther is the son of Roy Reuther and the nephew of famed labor leader Walter Reuther. He received a law degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 1977. Following in his father’s and uncles’ footsteps, the author spent his career working for the United Auto Workers (UAW). In 1977 he began as a lawyer in the union’s legal department, litigating in federal district and appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. In 1982 he transferred to the UAW’s Washington office to work on legislative matters. He became legislative director in 1991 and supervised the union’s activities lobbying Congress and the executive branch on health care, pensions, worker rights, and other issues. Alan will be speaking on his new book Roy Reuther and the UAW: Fighting for Workers and Civil Rights. His book will be available for sale on site.
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.
Sunday, April 6th, 2025 3:00 pm to 4:30 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 50th installment, our reader is author Daniel F Harrison.
Dr. Daniel F. Harrison is a distinguished archaeologist, historian, and retired librarian with a career spanning decades of research, education, and publication. An Adjunct Professor in Wayne State University’s Department of Anthropology, Dr. Harrison specializes in maritime landscapes, Great Lakes archaeology, and the interpretation of submerged cultural resources.
Dr. Harrison holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from Wayne State University, where his dissertation explored the transformation of the St. Clair Maritime Cultural Landscape. He has authored numerous publications, including Michigan’s Venice: The Transformation of the St. Clair Maritime Landscape, 1640–2000 (Wayne State University Press). His award-winning research has contributed to historic preservation efforts and public understanding of Michigan’s rich maritime and cultural history.
Throughout his career, Dr. Harrison has earned accolades such as the Henry N. Barkhausen Award for Great Lakes Maritime History and multiple State History Awards from the Historical Society of Michigan. His work extends beyond academia, having curated museum exhibits and led community-focused archaeological initiatives. Passionate about storytelling through evidence-based research, Dr. Harrison continues to uncover and share the diverse histories of the Great Lakes region.
Dr. Harrison will have copies of his newest book, Michigan’s Venice: The Transformation of the St. Clair Maritime Landscape, 1640–2000, available for purchase following the I.P.R.I.T. event. He is able to accept cash or check payments.
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.
Sunday, April 13th, 2025 2:30 pm to 4:00 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 storytime 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 52nd installment, our reader is author and professor, Dr. Felicia B. George,
Felicia B. George, a native Detroiter with a deep passion for the city's history and culture, holds a doctorate in anthropology from Wayne State University, where she currently serves as an adjunct professor. She invites you to explore her virtual museum dedicated to Detroit’s rich heritage at DoctorDetroit.com
As an author and speaker, Felicia sheds light on the lives of Detroit’s numbers operators—self-made entrepreneurs who overcame poverty and navigated the challenges of racism and capitalism through both legal and illegal means. Despite scandal and exploitation, these operators and their families became vital members of the community, providing steady employment and financial support for local businesses.
Join Felicia as she delves into the culture and history of Detroit’s Black Bottom and Paradise Valley neighborhoods, exploring the gambling scene’s connection to key figures and moments in local history, including Joe Louis’s rise to fame and the recall of a mayor supported by the Ku Klux Klan.
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.
Hosted monthly at Elephant & Co, 456 Charlotte St, Detroit, MI 48201 parking lot and street parking is available. Doors open at 5:45. Dinner and Bingo begin at 6:00 pm and last until approximately 8:00 pm.
Join the Detroit History Club and Eastern Market Brewing for a game night like no other in a city like none other- Detroit! We’re calling it “Beano for History,” and it’s exactly that: a performance, a history talk, a giant game of Beano, and book prizes galore! This is an old-fashioned Bingo game with a Detroit History Club twist. Throughout the game, different numbers will trigger history facts. History night meets game night!
B1 - Eber Brock Ward was the first man in Michigan to amass a million dollars. His daughter Clara was the first Michigan woman to marry into a European royal family, becoming a princess of Belgium.
I28 - 28% of Americans self reported drinking alcohol illegally during Prohibition, when interviewed by federal agents on December 28th, 1933..
G48 - Elephant & Co Detroit has 48 beer taps. All self-serve with as little as an ounce.
No prior knowledge or skill is required to play and to win.
A Little History on Bingo
Bingo has quite a history. In its earliest form, it dates back to 1530 in an Italian lottery called "Lo Giuoco del Lotto D'Italia." The game spread to France in the late 1770s, where it became "Le Lotto," played by wealthy Frenchmen. Germans later adapted the game in the 1800s as a learning tool for children in math, spelling, and history. By 1929, the game reached North America as "Beano," played at country fairs with beans to mark cards. Toy salesman Edwin S. Lowe renamed it "Bingo" after hearing someone yell "Bingo" instead of "Beano."
We’ll let you yell “Bingo,” but reward you if you remember to yell “Beano”!
In 1930, Edwin S. Lowe hired Columbia University math professor Carl Leffler to create 6,000 unique Bingo card combinations, reducing repeat numbers and minimizing conflicts over multiple winners. Lowe and Leffler’s original cards are still in print, and we wouldn’t dream of using anything else!
What You Need to Know
Dinner: Elephant & Co has included a phenomenal pizza and salad buffet dinner (including tax and tip) in the evening. Your game night ticket includes the buffet, three games of beano, and surprises and prizes for winners.
Drinks: Are available for purchase at guests expense. Have you tried Elephant Juice? You really need to try it if you like beer. Other choices and many non alcoholic beverages will also be available for purchase.
Games: Each guest will receive 3 games of Beano with one bingo card per game. There will be 3 winners a game.
Prizes: Beano winners will receive Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park themed books, and Eastern Market Brewing and Detroit History Club swag.
Age Requirement: Guests over 16 years of age are welcome as long as accompanied by an adult over the age of 21.
What to Bring as a Player
Everything you need to play will be provided:
A great attitude for education, adventure, and beer.
A lucky charm (optional)
Almost 50% of modern bingo players have a lucky charm or ritual they believe brings good fortune. Feel free to bring yours for Beano for History—the best lucky charms might even win a prize!
Adults-Only Easter Egg Hunt (16 years old and older)
Saturday, May 3, 2025 | 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Castle Rouge, 23300 Davidson 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 Davidson 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.
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.