Hamtramck Historical Museum

Great place to go for Hamtranck memories

The history of Hamtramck put together by a dedicated group of individuals that grew up there. Worth a visit to see the history of the Polish people who settled there to what it is now, a very mixed ethnic community

I went on a day they were supposed to be open and they were closed. They looked like they were permanently closed. If they are. Their website should say this.

Hamtramck is history and a museum for Hamtramck history makes for a brilliant way to capture the past and position for the future. I talked with Greg, chairman of the board and a lifelong professional journalist, about how everyone from the labor unions to the State of Michigan have come together to turn an unstable building into an archive for documents and a host for an incredible mural by Dennis Orlowski.nnThe now stable building came to its current state with the help of donated labor from the electrical union and pure sweat equity from the community. The collections could use a little curation, sure. The space could use better chairs for all the programming that will be possible in the space. A member of the family that runs the Polish Art Center taught how to make these beautiful bell chains that are suspended from the ceiling. You can buy them made in the art center. More cultural programming can be now scheduled for the center, with tall ceilings and wide floors.nnThe mural depicting all of Hamtramck's nationalities might be one of Orlowski's crowning achievements. He used actual people in his mural of Krakow Poland on the wall in the square honoring John Paul II, visitor to Hamtramck. He did the same in the nationalities mural, drawing from the diverse residents of the enclaves for his models. A few groups in the community were under - represented. So the fine board commissioned one more panel. That's amazing.nnIf you have items from Hamtramck history you want cared for today and shared with tomorrow, the HHM is the place where you can trust.

A work in progress, but the history here is rich and the place is inspiring!