John M. Gibney, Director
 126 South Monroe Street
 Monroe, Michigan 48161
 

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

HOURS: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday year-round. Now open Sundays for the fall. Closed to the public Monday and Tuesday.
Main Museum Admission Adult: $2, Child 7-17 years: $1, Under 7: Free with adult.

Admission the rest of year is usually free. Some programs may charge a fee or ask for a donation.       
The Museum closed on Sundays for January, February, March and April. Sunday hours start again in May.

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 presently operated as a governmental agency by the Monroe County Historical Commission. It houses 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.

We Welcome You to Monroe!

ALL FACILITIES CLOSED:  Martin Luther King Day, Easter Sunday, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, and some county holidays. Due to budget cuts, hours and programs may change- please call ahead before your trip to avoid disappointment.

Guided tours at all sites may be arranged by appointment only. Groups may request Education Brochure. Call Education at 734 240 7784.

Current and Upcoming Events at our Sites:

Made in Michigan, Made in Monroe In conjunction with the state of Michigan's "Pure Michigan" campaign, come into the museum and see a sampling of what's really made in our state- it may surprise you in the variety and well known names! You know La-Z-Boy and Kellogg's cereals, but there is much more. Many items may have their company headquarters in a different state and their labeling will not indicate a Michigan connection, but the actual manufacturing takes place in Michigan.

 Also Meet the Bromleys- an early Monroe African-American Victorian family!  The Bromleys were one of Monroe's well-known African-American families of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Patriarch Aaron Bromley was an escaped slave who came to Monroe during the Civil War. Many of the Victorian furnishings they had in their home are now on display on the Museum's second floor, including a large sideboard (serving cabinet) used for serving the family's meals. The donor of the items was Elizabeth Bromley, wife of Aaron's son James Bromley. Family information is available and the next Bromley generation is also featured. Going on now.

For more scheduled events, check our Calendar page.

Sorry to announce: We were saddened and shocked by the sudden death of former secretary Shirley Keehn on July 1st. The staff had just talked and laughed with her at Mike Jondro's retirement luncheon a day and a half before! Shirley worked 20 years at the Museum, and volunteered for the same number of years for local history, and had a soft spot for World War Two history and its veterans. She wrote "Lest We Forget" on the World War casualties, and was interested in genealogy and crafts, even once having her own craft store. She kept in touch with staff, and often brought in items she thought we could use or need while doing her 'spring cleaning'. Our sympathy goes to her family and friends; we can only hope that with each loss to local history, there will be someone else 'picking up' where they left off! Thanks, Shirley.

Memorial Donations can be made to the Museum to her memory, as per the family.

The Battlefield has been officially added to the National Park Service- as part of the Omnibus Land Management Act was signed into law by President Obama on March 30th, 2009. The next step is having the battlefield boundaries established, and the property owned by the City, the County, the Historical Society and Port of Monroe signed over to the NPS. Congratulations to all involved- the historians, the politicians, the government agencies, the non-profit and private organizations, and all who took an interest and took part in helping make the battlefield "saved" for future generations!  When the National Park Service takes over (perhaps this year) the Historical Museum will no longer be running this site. We believe that we have been an excellent guardian of the memory of this battlefield, and it's story, and pass it on with pride.

Also go to the River Raisin Battlefield link on this site to learn more information.

Invaded on all Sides -  A new non-fiction book by Ralph Naveaux (our Director Emeritus) about the Battle of the River Raisin in 1813 during the War of 1812. Mentions many of the original habitant French families who were here during the late 1700s and early 1800s. Were your people here?

View Flyer(pdf) for more information. Books available for purchase at main Museum. Some autographed copies available.

Apr-May-June Newsletter (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. Now $28 per book, available for purchase and viewing at the main Museum. View the pdf file to find out how to order a copy.

 WANT TO HELP BEHIND THE SCENES? WE COULD USE YOU-
Monroe County Historical Museum is offering 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 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.