Dearborn Historical Museum

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day!
The Dearborn Historical Museum is closed today but will be back open on Tuesday.

One of our most interesting selection of organized labor materials is the Joe Decker collection. While much of the collection is rudimentary materials like paystubs, other items like UAW membership receipts from 1937 and various political leaflets in the collection shed interesting light on Mr Decker's personality and beliefs. Keep in mind the UAW would not be recognized at Ford until 1941.

09/06/2026

The mid century architecture of 6050 and 6058 Chase caught our attention when going through our 1970s real estate card images.

6058 Chase was originally built in 1959 as a location of the Dearborn Schools Credit Union. Next door, 6050 Chase was originally built around 1950 for C Lake & Sons Printing and that firm would remain there until the 2010s. C Lake & Sons originally opened in Dearborn at a Ford Road location in the mid 30s.

For reference, we attached a modern view of the same buildings obtained through Google Streetview.

09/06/2026

09/05/2026

In honor of we're posting this image of Frank Reuter, his wife Elizabeth Korte Reuter, and their children Elizabeth and Peter Reuter. They were part the large early community of German-American residents in Northeast Dearborn.
Frank Reuter was born in 1828 and his wife Elizabeth was born in 1831. Based upon census info, we beleive this image was taken around 1870.
At the time of the 1876 Wayne County Atlas, Frank Reuter owned much of the land between Calhoun and Reuter in East Dearborn from Michigan north to Ford Road. Their house was at the northeast corner of Jonathan and Michigan.

09/03/2026

We're almost to Labor Day Weekend! These photos show Labor Day fireworks held at the Dearborn Youth Center back in 1967.

09/02/2026

Ford Road's appearance has radically evolved in recent decades.
This shot from September 1971 shows Ralph's Tavern at 24521 Ford Road with Bennie's Little Skipper Restaurant just beyond it. The sign for an old location of Dearborn Italian Bakery is visible in the distance.

In 2026, a newer dentist office is at 24521 Ford Road while Dearborn Italian Bakery is immediately next door.

08/31/2026

Our Fall lecture series returns Wednesday with a 7PM lecture by Tyler Moll on lost film and media. Why are nearly 50% of all films made before 1950 lost? Where is the first season of Dr. Who? Why are film and media items not permanent? These are just some questions Tyler will discuss.

08/30/2026

This recently digitized slide from February 1987 looks north from what is now West Village Drive toward Michigan Avenue. The big structure to the left is the old First National Bank building that was at the southeast corner of Howard and Michigan. To the right is the old Ternes Supply Company. Both the First National Bank and Ternes Supply Company would be demolished later in 1987 as part of the Superblock project.

08/29/2026

This recently digitized slide image from our collection shows the Detroit Salt Mine Tour in June 1968. It was likely taken under Southwest Detroit or the Melvindale areas.

08/27/2026