Boom Town: Detroit in the 1920s Exhibition at the Detroit Historical Museum

FAIN: GI-271499-20

Detroit Historical Society (Detroit, MI 48202-4009)
Tracy Irwin (Project Director: January 2020 to September 2023)

Implementation of a single-site, temporary exhibition exploring Detroit in the 1920s through the life stories of twenty diverse inhabitants.

The Detroit Historical Society will install a new temporary exhibition at the Detroit Historical Museum entitled Boom Town: Detroit in the 1920s that explores that important and dynamic decade, and brings to life the social justice and civic rights issues of the era such as women’s suffrage, African American rights, growth of anti-immigration factions among others that both illustrate the position of Detroit and the nation in the last century, while also offering context for conditions today.

Associated Products

100 Years of the Detroit Historical Society (Book)
Title: 100 Years of the Detroit Historical Society
Author: Joel Stone
Editor: Joel Stone
Abstract: Since its founding in 1921, the Detroit Historical Society (DHS) has been dedicated to safeguarding the history of our region so that current and future generations of metro Detroiters can better understand the people, places, and events that helped shape our lives. 100 Years of the Detroit Historical Society captures in words and photographs the little-known story of the people who have been telling Detroit’s stories and preserving its material culture for the last century. https://www.wsupress.wayne.edu/books/detail/100-years-detroit-historical-society
Year: 2021
Primary URL: http:/https://www.wsupress.wayne.edu/books/detail/100-years-detroit-historical-society
Primary URL Description: Publisher's website, book description
Access Model: Open access
Publisher: Wayne State University Press
Type: Single author monograph
ISBN: 9780814348871
Copy sent to NEH?: No

First State In and First State Out (Blog Post)
Title: First State In and First State Out
Author: Anonymous
Abstract: Detroit, and other border cities, quickly found themselves plagued by criminal activity as Detroiters and others fought for a chunk of the illegal liquor trade. Rumrunners crisscrossed the Detroit River, battled law enforcement, and peddled booze across the city in complete defiance of the law.
Date: 12/1/2021
Primary URL Description: https://detroithistorical.org/blog/2021-12-01-first-state-and-first-state-out
Blog Title: First State in and First State Out
Website: detroithistorical.org

Bee’s Knees and Beaux Arts: 1920s Architectural Tours (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Bee’s Knees and Beaux Arts: 1920s Architectural Tours
Abstract: From the fantastic facade of the Fox Theater to the grandeur of the Guardian Building, Detroit is full of Art Deco, Beaux Arts and 1920s architectural splendor. Tour downtown Detroit and discover the stories behind some of Detroit’s most famous buildings. Tours were held on June 19, July 31 and September 4, 2021
Author: Detroit Historical Society program staff
Date: 6/19/2021
Location: Detroit
Primary URL: http:/https://detroithistorical.org/things-do/events-calendar/events-listing/bees-knees-and-beaux-arts-1920s-architectural-tour-2

Pint-Size Prohibition (Film/TV/Video Broadcast or Recording)
Title: Pint-Size Prohibition
Writer: Kayla Chenault, Dean Nasreddine
Director: Kayla Chenault, Dean Nasreddine
Producer: Kayla Chenault, Dean Nasreddine
Abstract: Through a series of short-form videos, hosts Kayla and Dean explore the history of prohibition, the temperance movement in Detroit in the 1920’s; share stories about Detroit’s original drink--The Last Word; and inform viewers about a 1920's era favorite - the Horse's Neck - and the connections between African American vernacular dance, Detroit's Black Bottom, and Henry Ford.
Year: 2021
Primary URL: http:/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qy3kv0PbTo4
Primary URL Description: You Tube channel
Access Model: Open Access
Format: Web

Untold Detroit: Surviving Prohibition in Detroit (Radio/Audio Broadcast or Recording)
Title: Untold Detroit: Surviving Prohibition in Detroit
Writer: Joel Stone
Director: Joel Stone
Producer: Detroit Historical Society
Abstract: Prohibition is in full swing – the brewing industry is illegal. But, Detroit beer can't be stopped by Prohibition. How did the breweries survive, and how did Detroiters get their precious beer? Listen to Joel Stone, Detroit Historical Society Senior Curator, John Stroh, local beer historian Stephen Johnson, and Detroit historian Tom Klug share how Detroit beer survived Prohibition.
Date: 2/17/2021
Primary URL: https://www.audible.com/pd/Surviving-Prohibition-in-Detroit-Podcast/B08WT2XPV1
Primary URL Description: Podcast listing on Audible.com
Access Model: Open Access
Format: Web

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