The Monroe County Historical Museum

 126 South Monroe Street, in downtown
 Monroe, Michigan 48161
 

 Museum Phone: (734) 240 7780
 Museum Fax: (734) 240 7788

HOURS: Open 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday year-round. Closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday for the winter months. Open Sundays starting May 5th- NEW HOURS 12noon to 5:00 p.m.

Suggested one-time admission donation for 2013: $4 per adult; $2 per child (5 yrs-17).

WE ARE OPEN! THANKS to all Monroe County voters who now gives local history a future through the millage! Please come in and see the exhibits, talk to staff and volunteers, and help us move into a brighter future.

PLEASE NOTE NEW MEETING SITE for the June Historical Commission Meeting: Milan area, Fire Barn, 153 East Main St, Milan on Wdd. June 5th at 7:00 p.m. Join us and meet the commissioners. Parking on the street.

Research in the Museum Archives is by appointment only with the archivist- call 734 240 7787 to schedule.     
Education Tours are by appointment- call to schedule for your group, class or organization at 734 240 7784.

Located in the heart of downtown Monroe, this imposing Georgian style public building was built as a post office about 1910, on the site of General and Mrs. George A. Custer's residence.  The Monroe County Historical Society, founded in 1938, opened the first museum in rooms at the Sawyer House. This building was acquired in 1972 by the La-Z-Boy Chair Foundation as the second site for the growing Historical Museum.

The museum is operated as a governmental agency by the Monroe County Historical Commission. We house one of the largest collections of 18^th and 19^th century artifacts relating to Southeast Michigan. For staff list or our current Historical Commissioners, look to the Directory at left. The Commission meetings are open to the public and are usually the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Check the calendar for any changes to this schedule.

We Welcome You to Monroe!  

ALL FACILITIES CLOSED:  4th July, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and the day following (Friday), county holidays for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, and most county holidays. Hours and programs may change- please call ahead before your trip to avoid disappointment.

Lately at the Museum: we held a basic drawing class with local artist Linda Rutledge, through Monroe Public Schools Continuing Education:

GIFT SHOP: Under new ownership- come in and see our merchandise and sale items! Something for everyone- lots of toys! We have a variety of "new" older Custer books now in- many are only $5 per hardcover book! We also have a variety of past "Research Review" and LBHA newsletters for sale at $2 and $1 each- great deals for the Custer buff!

Current displays include a Custer family chair, a special collection of Custer medals, including the rare Libbie medal; the Civil War- medicine, clothing, uniforms, soldiers, and a hands-on area for children. The Civil War exhbit continues through this year. See Monroe County & The Civil War Flyer (pdf)

The Monroe County Cemetery Study Is Available.  The County of Monroe published a listing of all the known cemeteries in Monroe county- private, public, religious and unknown. Interesting reading and a help to historians and genealogists. $30 per book, available for viewing at the main Museum. View the pdf file. Books are now in stock at the museum front desk. 

WANT TO HELP BEHIND THE SCENES? WE COULD USE YOU-
The Monroe County Historical Museum offers volunteer opportunities for people who would like to serve as front desk greeters, tour guides, interpreters, at Lantern Tours, or with special project at any of our sites. Internships and older students welcome. Call 734-240-7780 for more information.  You may fill out the Volunteer Application (pdf) and print the application and bring to the museum.

DONATIONS: If you would like to make a donation to the Monroe County Historical Museum, either of money or gift, please contact us. We now are able to accept monetary donations. Call the main Museum for details and instructions. Thank you for your consideration!

We need volunteers for our front desk- can you offer a day or two a month to greet visitors and handle small matters? Volunteers would not need to stay all day- what about from 10:00 a.m. to 2 or 3:00 p.m.? That would free up time for our staff to do their other duties. Please consider helping us in this way- we could use you at the front desk, either during the week or on the weekend, especially on Saturday. Call and volunteer now!

OTHER INTERNET LINKS: Monroe in History  - A collection of historical photographs and Civil War letters.

Monroe Labor History Museum  - Monroe newest museum, dedicated to the story of the Labor Unions, located in the previous Union Hall in downtown Monroe. Open weekends; published in Monroe Evening News.