Hometown History Tours Events Calendar
If you’d like your history-related events listed below, please send a brief description of event/s along with contact information to k[underscore]risko[at]yahoo[dot]com
November 4, 11, 18, December 2
Education Nights in the YHS Archives hosted by James Mann
Ypsilanti Historical Museum, 220 North Huron Street, Ypsilanti. Free
Popular movies will be shown followed by a discussion of the historical significance of the topic. Schedule is as follows: Friday, November 4 – One of our Aircraft is Missing, A war film made in 1942 considered one of the “best of British films of the era.” This is the story of the crew of a British Wellington bomber who are forced to bail out over the Netherlands near the Zuider Zee. The airmen are aided by the Dutch people, despite their fears of German reprisals. One of our Aircraft is Missing was the film debut of actor Peter Ustinov. Friday, November 11 – They Raid By Night. This movie is a war time propaganda film depicting a daring rescue from Norway by British commandos. The film includes film footage shot during an actual commando raid. The film was made in 1942 to raise the morale of the public during the war. Friday, November 18 – British Intelligence. Made in 1940, this movie is a war time propaganda film starring Boris Karloff. The story, set during World War I, deals with espionage – spies spying on spies and everyone the hunt for the German master spy, “The Strangler”, whose identity is a closely guarded secret. Action scenes include a German Zeppelin raid on London. Friday, December 2 – The Battle of San Pietro – This 1945 documentary covers the Battle of San Pietro Infine during the World War II. Directed by John Huston, the film is unflinching in its realism. In one scene the bodies of dead GIs are shown being loaded into mattress covers before burial. This was a level of realism never seen before in films or newsreel footage. For this reason, Huston was accused of making an anti-war film. Huston responded by saying, if he ever made a pro-war film, he should be shot. The Battle of San Pietro was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”
After Tippecanoe War of 1812 Symposium
Detroit Historical Museum, $95, all day
Experts gather to discuss the events that took place during the War of 1812, often called America’s second war for independence. More.
National Geography Awareness Week – Adventure in your Community
6th Annual Automotive Authors Book Fair
Skillman Branch of the Detroit Public Library, 121 Gratiot Avenue (Downtown), 2 PM to 5 PM.
Twenty-two authors of recent books on automotive history will attend and will have books available for purchase and signing. The event is free and open to the public. Attended parking is available at the Compuware visitor’s lot on Farmer just south of the Skillman Branch and at other nearby commercial lots for $5 and at metered spaces on the adjacent streets. For a complete listing of the authors and their books, visit www.detroitpublicibrary.org/NAHC. Other inquiries may be directed to the DPL Friends Foundation office at(313)-481-1357.
December 2-3, 9-10, 16-23, 26-27
Holiday Nights in the Village
The Henry Ford/Greenfield Village, 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn, 6:30 PM to 10 PM, Admission
Step into a Christmas card from the past. Don’t miss the most popular holiday event in the area, complete with candle-lit paths, live entertainment, costumed presenters, horse-drawn wagon and Model T rides, delightful holiday shops, Santa and live reindeer, ice skating, a spectacular fireworks display and more. It’s America’s premier holiday celebration! More
December 10
Civil War Christmas
Detroit’s Historic Fort Wayne, 6325 W. Jefferson Ave., 3 PM to 7 PM, Admission.
Tour this historic fort as interpreters share Christmas customs of the era. Sounds lkie a great way to celebrate history and the holidays! More
Victorian Holiday Evening
Ford-MacNichol and Marx Homes, Biddle Avenue, Wyandotte
Festive evening includes harp music, wassail bowl, cooking decorating and storytelling. More
2011 Holiday Home Tour Preview Party
Kresge Mansion, Detroit, 6 PM to 10 PM.
Private sneak peak of the homes featured on the 2011 Historic Boston-Edison Holiday Home Tour. Gourmet delights, motor coach shuttle. $50. More
December 11
37th Historic Boston Edison Association Holiday Home Tour
Sacred Heart Seminary shuttle departures 10 AM to 4 PM
Tour five outstanding examples of historic Detroit properties decked out for the holidays. $20. Advance sales only. More
HOMETOWN HISTORY TOURS 