Hamtramck Historical Museum — Attraction in Hamtramck

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.

The 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.

The 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.

If you have items from Hamtramck history you want cared for today and shared with tomorrow, the HHM is the place where...

There is huge inventory of historical information and items(antiques), and I was amazed looking at art, and 100years old or even over and what a great condition those antiques are . Denis Orlowski has done beautiful paintings on walls of Hamtramck history and all of different nations and nationalities who lived here and those who are living now. HIGHLY...

Was excellent since it took me down memory lane because I grew up in Detroit but, went to Hamtramck schools and the stuff in there is a blast from the past recognized several people that I knew...highly recommend to go and see even though it's not much but, you'll love the memories and it will take you back...