About Us The Birmingham Historical Museum & Park, established in May, 2001, features the 1822 John West Hunter House and the 1928 Allen House. These historic structures are linked by the History Plaza (dedicated in September, 2007), which serves as a gateway to the beautiful John West Hunter Historic Park. A short walk from downtown Birmingham, the Museum is a must-see for out-of-town visitors, as well as residents who want to learn more about the history of their City. The Museum, in partnership with other community organizations, including the Birmingham Historical Society, hosts public tours, lectures and special events.
Contact Us Phone: 248.530.1928 Fax: 248.530.1681 museum@ci.birmingham.mi.us Search for us on Facebook and become a fan!
Admission Members: FREE Adults: $5.00 Seniors (65+) : $3.00 Students (6-18): $3.00 Children 5 & under: FREE
Parking 2 hours of free parking is available across from the Museum, at the Chester Street deck.
Current Exhibits
Birmingham's Fire Department--100 Years of Service Through June 9, 2012
The century-long history of the Birmingham Fire Department is the central focus at themuseum this spring. Stop in to see artifacts from the 1920s to the 1980s, including helmets, badges, hoses, nozzles, fire extinguishers, and a wide array of other vintage equipment, thanks to loans from the Birmingham Fire Department and local collector Bill Olsen. Also on display are modern protective equipment and other gear. Intriguing old records, archival photographs, and some of the tragic fire disasters faced by our community will also be featured, as well as a tribute to some of the department's most memorable personnel-including those who died in the line of duty.
Upcoming Events
Tuesdays, March 20, April 3, April 17, May 1 & May 15, 7:00 PM at the Baldwin Public Library, Let's Talk About It: Making Sense of the Civil War Book Discussion Group. Dr. Roy Finkenbine, historian from University of Detroit-Mercy, will lead a five-part discussion program focusing on key issues in written works and primary sources from the Civil War period. Sponsored by the Baldwin Public Library, with co-sponsorship by the Friends of the Birmingham Historical Museum & Park and Oakland County Historical Commission, this series will be held at the library. This free program has been made possible through a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association.
Saturday, April 21, 2012 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM, First Annual Festive Tables Luncheon. Sponsored by the Friends of the BHM&P, this new event joins creative themed tabletops with great food and a silent auction to raise funds for the museum. Participants will enjoy a full sit-down luncheon and a presentation by guest speaker Geri Rinscler, a noted authority on cookbooks. Tickets are $36 per person; limited seating only. Location: Big Rock Chophouse. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the museum at 248.530.1928.
Saturday, April 28, 2012 2:00 PM, Annual Greenwood Cemetery Tour. Also sponsored by the Friends of the BHM&P, this new tour focuses on Birmingham's fascinating 20th century personalities, such as barnstormer and aviator Eugene Heth, Cranbrook's Booth family, noted sculptor Marshall Fredericks, Pewabic Pottery's Mary Chase Perry Stratton and her husband, local Detroit architect William "Buck" Stratton, among many others. Tickets are $10 per person, pre-registered and paid in advance, and limited tickets will be available at the gate for $15. Contact the museum to pre-register, at 248.530.1928.
Sunday, May 20, 2012 1:00 PM/Post-Parade - 4:00 PM, Firefighters Family Fun Day after the Celebrate Birmingham Parade. Follow Bill Olsen's 1924 La France Fire Engine over to the museum to join us for a special family event after the "Good Ole Days!" parade. It's our 11th birthday, and we invite you to celebrate with us, meet and talk with local firefighters, participate in children's activities, check out the antique fire truck, stop in to see our Birmingham's Fire Department--100 Years of Service exhibit, and get a free smoke detector! For more information, contact the museum at 248.530.1928.
Announcements
The Birmingham Historical Museum & Park now features an heirloom kitchen garden at the Hunter House, to demonstrate how Birmingham’s founders might have grown some of their own vegetables and herbs. We have also joined the Let’s Move: Museum & Gardens program, a joint initiative of the Institute for Museum & Library Services and First Lady Michelle Obama that emphasizes healthy food and activities to create a generation of healthier kids. The initiative was originally developed though a collaboration among the American Association of Museums, the Association of Children’s Museums, and the American Public Gardens Association, and has now been broadened to include, the Association of African American Museums, the Association of Art Museum Directors, Association of Science-Technology Centers, American Association for State and Local History, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and the Center for the Future of Museums for children.
Let's Move! Museums and Gardens
For photos, information on past exhibits, online resources etc., follow these links:
Allen House
Hunter House
John West Hunter Park
Volunteer Opportunities
Past Exhibits
Teacher Resources
Historical Resources
Donations
Strategic Plan
Vision Statement The Birmingham Historical Museum & Park shall be recognized as the authority on Birmingham’s history, distinguished by its expanding cultural resources.