ECORSE HISTORICAL SOCIETY & MUSEUM
Preserving Our Past and Enhancing Our Future...Our Roots Run Deep
If you know Black history facts, or have artifacts and/or documents relevant to Ecorse, we'd love to talk to you! Message us so we can make an appointment with you. Send us a message or give us a call at (313) 386-2025 Ext. 4 We're anxious to hear from you!
The EHS is looking for a volunteer who's interested in...
Finding the Stories: Setting up an Oral History Project
Conducting oral interviews is a major step toward a larger historical project. Those looking to start an oral history program will learn the process of identifying interviewees, developing questionnaires, and conducting interviews.
Interested? Send us a message!
We're excited! Finally, we have a physical facility! The EHS will have a designated space in the Ecorse Public Library, 4184 W. Jefferson Ave., Ecorse, MI 48229. You will be able to come in & enjoy exhibits, displays, documents and artifacts as well as special programs & events! Renovations have begun! We'll keep you posted & don't forget to visit & "Like" us on Facebook!
Welcome to the Ecorse Historical Society
The Ecorse Historical Society and its supporters collect and preserve artifacts, as well as printed and photographic materials pertaining to the history of Ecorse, Michigan, a neighbor community of the City of Detroit. The Historical Society Museum will a community resource that houses our collections and exhibits these in an attempt to be educational and engaging to tell the story of Ecorse.
We will welcome tour groups, school classes, class reunions, out of town visitors, and drop-ins. We will offer special arrangements, if needed. There is no admission charge to the museum.
The Ecorse Historical Society will support the Ecorse Public Library in its renovation from a library building to its present form. Originally constructed in 1947–1948, the building served the Ecorse community as the Ecorse Public Library, offering library services and programming until November 2021 when the two-phase renovations began and will continue until late Spring 2022. The Society sought to acquire space in the building for the museum’s new home. The renovations will include a total redesign. Re-wiring the structure, new windows, new doors, new ramps, new bathrooms, new reception/check in and check out area, redesigned library collections area, new computer area, new meeting room, plaster and paint updated, new furniture and flooring, new landscaping and a designated area for the Ecorse Historical Society and Museum to display its collection. We're excited to finally have a home!
Our Society has meetings at 12:00 pm on the third Saturday of the month. Everyone is welcome – new members, too!
The Story of Us...
Let's rewind to the last two decades of the 18th century, the area that would eventually become Ecorse, was originally a Native American burial ground before being settled by the French and named Riviere Aux Echorches which means, in English, The River of the Barks".
In 1827, the Michigan Territorial Legislature created the Township of Ecorse 10 years before Michigan became a state. When Ecorse Township was first created, it covered 54 square miles of land running from the Detroit River to Taylor, Michigan.
Logging was quite important to the people of Ecorse as the industry contributed to most of the jobs during the early years.
In the 1900's steel became a huge factor in our community and on July 5, 1923 Michigan Steel Mill opened with a then jaw dropping 500 employees which, of course, grew as time went on.
Ecorse officially became a city on September 19, 1941 and adopted the city charter September 19, 1942.
We're working on our new newsletter! If you're interested in volunteering our Publications Committee, please email us at: ecorsehistoricalsociety@gmail.com or call us at (313) 386-2520 Ext. 4 Thank you!
DONATE TODAY!
Origins of Black History Month
The story of Black History Month begins in 1915, half a century after the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in the United States.
That September, the Harvard-trained historian Carter G. Woodson and the prominent minister Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), an organization dedicated to researching and promoting achievements by Black Americans and other peoples of African descent.
READ MORE: The Man Behind Black History Month
VOLUNTEER TODAY!
Member in good standing with:
The Ecorse Historical Society is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization and your gift may qualify as a charitable deduction for Federal Income Tax purposes. Donors should consult their tax advisers or the IRS to determine whether a contribution is deductible.
The Ecorse Historical Society will not trade, share or sell a donor’s personal information with anyone else, nor send donor mailings on behalf of other organizations. MAKE A SECURE DONATION TODAY - THANK YOU!
Claude Monroe was born in Georgia in about 1914. According to the 1940 Census, Mr. Monroe, 26, lived at 3899 13th St., Ecorse, MI, with his wife Mary and their two children, son, Ernest S. Monroe, age 3 and daughter, Sandra Jean Monroe, age 1-1/2 years.
Claude Monroe, WW ll veteran, fought Germany for two years. At the end of the war Mr. Monroe returned to Ecorse, helped found the Dumas Post of the American Legion which was located on the corner of 10th St.and Visger Rd. in Ecorse, MI.
Explore...
History Skills Workshops®
All workshops will be REMOTE ACCESS ONLY until further notice.
These training opportunities help historical organizations and interested history advocates gain skills that can be applied in museums, organizations, and personal collections.
-
If you are a personal member of HSM or represent an organization that itself is a member of the Society, registration is $49.
-
Registration for nonmembers is $89 and includes a one-year HSM Household Membership.
-
Our Doubleheader sessions offer a workshop in the morning and another in the afternoon on related topics. You can sign up for either the morning or the afternoon OR register for the whole day at a discount.
-
Registration closes at noon the day before the scheduled workshop.
-
Materials are included with your registration. Any handouts from the presenter will be sent to remote attendees.
To register for a workshop, click the pic to use our secure online registration form or call (800) 692-1828.
100% Promise to Our Supporters & Sponsors
When you give to the Ecorse Historical Society, 100% of your donation goes to support the work of Society. Every dollar helps provide programs, events and education. Your help donations keep the Society operating for our community and beyond. Your donations also helps us support other community events. Our Board and Committees are 100% voluntary!