Dearborn Historical Museum

10/15/2026

Its National Shawarma Day so we had to share this stand photo from the 1981 Arabian Village Street Fair.

10/15/2026

The McFadden-Ross House and Archives will be closed this Thursday, October 15, 2026, for construction. The building will reopen on Friday, October 16, 2026, for our regular hours. We appreciate your understanding as we continue essential renovation work!

10/13/2026

We want to thank everyone who attended our Halloween events this past weekend at the Commandant's Quarters!

This shot of the Commandant's Quarters was taken 50 years ago today. It shows the construction of Arsenal Park and restoration work on the CQ after the demolition of the neighboring fire station.

10/12/2026

For Indigenous Peoples Day, we wanted to discuss a Native American treaty line that affected the later development of Dearborn

In 1795, many Great Lakes region Native Americans signed the Treaty of Greenville in Greenville, Ohio with US officials after military defeats at Fallen Timbers and elsewhere. The treaty extinguished Native American claims to much of Ohio along with the vicinity of many Midwestern forts. In the Detroit area, the treaty extinguished claim to land within 6 miles of the Detroit River.

In Dearborn, the area was still under British control at the time of the Greenville treaty and a few people had already settled beyond the six miles. However, the US would take over the following year in 1796. The treaty would effectively bring a halt to the expansion of French style ribbon farms up the River Rouge. As a result, roads like Golfview effectively mark a 1790s European vs Native frontier.

Lots would be laid out in the typical Midwestern square format by the time significant surveying returned to the Dearborn area by the 1810s and 20s.

Attached is snippet from a Northwest Territory map thought to be from Jedidiah Morse's book The American Universal Geography from 1796. Source: https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/a3e08a20-994e-0134-2096-0050569601ca-4
The other map done by our museum shows French style ribbon farm properties. However its missing a 1795 claim by Joel Thomas that stretches up to Golfview.

10/11/2026

This Vernors ad was pictured in October 1968 on the side of Kienman Drugs at 22976 Outer Drive near the Southfield.

10/10/2026

Happening Sunday on the grounds of the DHM's McFadden Ross House (915 S Brady).
Also stop by the garage sale being managed by our gift shop volunteers.

Haunted Hollow is only 6 days away! Here’s a little of what you’ll see.
🎃Amazing small businesses!
🎃Delicious food!
🎃Tarot reading!
🎃Pick your own pumpkins!
🎃Performance by the Moonlight Makers!
🎃Young entrepreneurs!
🎃Face painting
🎃Hair braiding!
🎃 Permanent jewelry!
🎃Community & Non profit organizations!
🎃 Trick-or-treating for kids!
🎃Free tote bag give away to the first 50 customers!
AND MORE!
We can’t wait to see you!

10/10/2026

Dearborn Public Market, a multi vendor grocery store, opened 95 years ago today at 22065 Michigan Avenue. It would remain operational at that spot until the early 1970s. Later businesses like the Post Bar and now Malek al Kabob Restaurant have occupied the same building.

10/09/2026

Joining us at Brews and Boos tonight? You can still purchase tickets at the door! We accept cash or card.

See you later! 👻🎃

10/08/2026

Brews and Boos, the museum's adult Halloween party, returns to the Commandant's Quarters on Friday from 6-11PM. If you're still on the fence about attending, here's some photos from the past couple of years.

Presale tickets for Brews and Books can be purchased at this link: https://thedhm.org/brews-and-boos/

10/07/2026

Brews and Boos returns Friday at 6PM to the Commandant's Quarters!

This event is a spooky adults only Halloween party featuring a DJ, tarot readings, yard games, firepits, mini golf and much more! New this year, the Moonlight Mischief Makers witch dancing troupe will be performing at the event.

Entrants to Brews and Boos will receive 6 drink tickets to try local craft b**r, w**e or numerous non-alcoholic options. Presale tickets are $30 for alcoholic drinks and $20 for non-alcoholic drinks. Ticket prices will increase at the door to $35 for alcoholic drinks and $25 for non-alcoholic drinks. Dearborn Brewing, Downey Brewing, and Unexpected Craft Brewing from Oak Park will be at the event.

The Museum will be open for touring, a silent auction will be going on outside as well as circus acts and jugglers to discover. Costumes are encouraged! Come join the museum and help raise money for a great cause.

Proceeds from this event help support the museum's efforts with preserving historic buildings, properly housing and making available Dearborn historic materials, and managing events that serve the Dearborn community.