Historic Preservation in Michigan
In honor of Michigan Month in May, Michigan Memories is highlighting the challenge of historic preservation with photographs from the rich collections of our state's cultural institutions. Please see our Facebook page for updates.
"Every year in May, local preservation groups, state historical societies, and business and civic organizations across the country celebrate Preservation Month through events that promote historic places and heritage tourism, and that demonstrate the social and economic benefits of historic preservation.
"Preservation Month began as National Preservation Week in 1973. In 2005, the National Trust extended the celebration to the entire month of May and declared it Preservation Month to provide an even greater opportunity to celebrate the diverse and unique heritage of our country’s cities and states."
For information about efforts in our state, see the Michigan Historic Preservation Network.
J. L. Hudson Building
Possible research questions:
What did Hudson's department store mean for people in Detroit from the early 1900s until the 1970s?
What happened to the building after the Hudson's store closed in 1983?
Year: Unknown
Source: The Detroit News Photograph Collection, The Virtual Motor City Collection at the Walter P Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University: https://digital.library.wayne.edu/item/wayne:vmc75537
Casino at Belle Isle
Description: One postcard entitled "Casino at Belle Isle, Detroit, Mich." The postcard shows a black and white photographic image of the front of the old Casino building on Belle Isle. A roadway and planted floral displays can be seen in the foreground."
Possible research questions:
What are some of the reasons why the Belle Isle Casino was torn down in 1908?
What historic buildings survive today on Belle Isle? How were they saved?
Year: 1905
Source: Detroit Historical Society: https://detroithistorical.pastperfectonline.com/archive/AE58A8EA-C2DF-4EDB-890D-740680289701
The old Temple Beth El on Woodward and Erskine, Detroit
Possible research questions:
What was the original purpose of this building?
What is it used for now?
Year: Unknown
Source: The Detroit News Photograph Collection, The Virtual Motor City Collection at the Walter P Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University: https://digital.library.wayne.edu/item/wayne:vmc20293
Detroit Engine Company No. 9
Description: Sepia-toned photograph of Detroit Engine Company No. 9 exiting a fire station with a horse-drawn Amoskeag steam engine. A team of three horses pull the equipment, driven by a fireman, a second fireman is seated beside him, while a third fireman is standing on the rear of the engine behind the water tank. Engine Company #9 was located at the northwest corner of East Larned and Riopelle Streets. (The building was razed in 1961 for urban renewal.)
Possible research questions:
What is different about this fire engine compared to the ones you see today? How do you think the firefighters used this equipment? Why was this a good tool in 1901 but now we use something different?
This fire station was torn down many years ago. Why might a city remove a building like a fire station?
Year: c. 1901
Source: Detroit Historical Society: https://detroithistorical.pastperfectonline.com/photo/05BA7DB7-D8AB-4D30-9C8F-550722210436
The old Presque Isle Lighthouse
Possible research questions:
What happened to the tower and keeper's house after the old lighthouse was decommissioned in 1871?
Why would an old lighthouse need to be replaced by a new one? What might that tell you about the location where a lighthouse is built?
Year: 1947
Source: The Detroit News Photograph Collection, The Virtual Motor City Collection at the Walter P Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University: https://digital.library.wayne.edu/item/wayne:vmc66320
Vandalism on the William Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse on Belle Isle
Possible research questions:
Why would someone vandalize a historic structure?
What can be done to protect historic structures from vandalism?
Year: 1940
Source: The Detroit News Photograph Collection, The Virtual Motor City Collection at the Walter P Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University: https://digital.library.wayne.edu/item/wayne:vmc17003
Judge Samuel Dexter House (Dexter, Michigan) during renovation
Possible research questions:
Why would a person's home be considered historic? What things would we want to preserve in such a home?
What kinds of discoveries might be made when renovating a very old home?
Year: 1951
Source: Emil Lorch Papers, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/b/bhl/x-hs8628/hs8628
No More Gentrification button
Possible research questions:
What do you think gentrification means? How can you find out if you don’t know?
After you’ve looked it up, why do you think people would want to stop gentrification? What do you think is lost when a neighborhood is gentrified?
Year: Unknown
Source: Pinback Buttons, Joseph A. Labadie Collection, University of Michigan Library: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/l/lbc1ic/x-lbc.0113/lbc0113.tif
Canfield Housing Project
Description: Beulah Groehn Croxford, historic preservation activist poses for a photograph in her office at 627 West Canfield (Canfield and Second Avenue).
Possible research questions:
What was the purpose of the Canfield Housing Project?
What challenges are people likely to encounter when they try to restore old structures?
Year: 1974
Source: The Detroit News Photograph Collection, The Virtual Motor City Collection at the Walter P Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University: https://digital.library.wayne.edu/item/wayne:vmc14021_5
Detroit's City Hall during its demolition
Possible research questions:
Why would a city tear down a city hall? Do you think it is valuable to restore older buildings or is it better to build new ones?
Year: 1961
Source: The Detroit News Photograph Collection, The Virtual Motor City Collection at the Walter P Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University: https://digital.library.wayne.edu/item/wayne:vmc70789_1
Detroit's city hall after its demolition
Possible research questions:
Where is Detroit’s city government business done today? What does the building look like? Which building do you prefer, and why?
Year: 1961
Source: The Detroit News Photograph Collection, The Virtual Motor City Collection at the Walter P Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University: https://digital.library.wayne.edu/item/wayne:vmc70789_3
Scott Gardens Original Plantings Restoration
Possible research questions:
Why do you think it is important to preserve historic gardens and landscaping?
What are some unique challenges to preserving historic gardens?
Year: 1982
Source: Garden Club of Greater Lansing Collection, Capital Area District Libraries: http://cadl.pastperfectonline.com/archive/659BC2C8-BC3E-4CA1-A953-049594201030 and http://cadl.pastperfectonline.com/archive/8CA47016-47C4-4B12-AE4E-840294411167