A Millage to Keep Metro Detroit's Stories Alive

A proposed Wayne and Oakland county millage could reshape access and provide ongoing sustainability to two of Metro Detroit's cornerstone historic institutions.

Me and Norris Howard are joined by Elana Rugh, president and CEO of the Detroit Historical Society, and Neil Barclay, president and CEO of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

The proposal would support free admission for county residents, transportation help for students and seniors, teacher curriculum resources, and funding for smaller public historical museums across the two counties.

We talk about why the museums say they need a long-term funding model, what visitors can expect this fall, and why preserving Detroit's past — while collecting the history being made today — matters.

The measure is listed on the back of the ballot as the Southeast Michigan Historical Museums Authority proposal.

You'll find a full transcript below.

More info: https://www.yestoourstory.com/

Feedback as always, dailydetroit@gmail.com or 313-789-3211.

Transcript

Lightly edited for clarity. Please refer to the original before quoting.

Joining me and Norris Howard at our studio at TechTown are two esteemed guests to talk about a topic that’s near and dear to my heart.

First, I want to introduce Elana Rugh, the president and CEO of the Detroit Historical Society. Welcome.

Elana Rugh: Thanks.

Jer Staes: I have spent many, many hours in your museum.

Elana Rugh: Love that.

Jer Staes: And I’ve got to tell you: When I was a kid, my grandmother lost me in your museum because I’d wandered off with a docent for a tour. I really wanted to learn how the pharmacy worked in the basement.

Elana Rugh: It’s magical.

Jer Staes: Yes, yes.

And to your right — and my right — is Neil Barclay, president and CEO of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. Honestly, one of the most important places in the United States. Thank you so much for stopping by Daily Detroit.

Neil Barclay: Pleasure to be here.

Jer Staes: And Norris Howard, good to see you, man.

Norris Howard: You know I’m always here. And I’m really excited to take part in this conversation in two of my favorite places in the entire state of Michigan.

Jer Staes: So, let’s talk about the news. There’s an important reason that you’re here, with a decision ahead. What are you asking for? What’s going on?

Elana Rugh: This is a moment that’s seven years in the making. Our two organizations are partnered together to go before the voters on Nov. 3 to seek a millage that will support our efforts to make sure our institutions are thriving and still here for future generations.

Jer Staes: Why is it so important to go for a millage now? People might be looking at things and saying the cost of goods is going up and there are all kinds of pressures. They also may not know how much the city of Detroit has supported institutions in the past. Why has this been seven years in the making, and why ask for a millage?

Neil Barclay: It’s important now because it has been seven years in the making, frankly. We realized seven years ago that we did not have a sustainable funding model. Since then, we’ve been trying to find a reliable source of income to keep our work current, bring in the people who would appreciate what we do, expand our audiences and programming, and handle the basic blocking and tackling involved in running a museum. It’s not an inexpensive enterprise.

Jer: I’m sure not.

For each of you, why don’t we show off a little bit and talk about the programs you already do that this will help support? Norris and I are kind of museum rats. We’re there all the time.

But I want to be cognizant that not everybody goes by the old Detroit bike shop, gets excited peering through the windows, and remembers the animatronics from back in the day.

Elana: That’s right.

The Detroit Historical Society is very proud to run the Detroit Historical Museum and the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle, which tells the maritime history of our region. A lot of folks don’t know those institutions are connected.

As Detroit storytellers, we are the institution responsible for collecting all the stories. No matter your background or how your family came to Detroit, we are a place that collects those stories.

We also care for a collection of almost 300,000 artifacts, stored at our Collections Resource Center at Historic Fort Wayne. We use those artifacts to tell stories in the museums, but they are also the patrimony of the city. They belong to residents, and it’s very important that they remain available and accessible to the community.

We do that through storytelling. And while I know you’ve been going there a long time, people may not understand how changing and dynamic museums are. This isn’t your grandmother’s dusty museum.

We have plenty of things people remember from childhood, and there is nostalgia, but at the Detroit Historical Society alone, across our two museums, we had 23 different new exhibits come through. Whenever you visit, you can experience something new.

That could be something lighthearted and nostalgic, like Hudson’s Holidays. This year, we’ll be telling the story of the Parade Company’s centennial. Or it could be something more serious, such as the Doorway to Freedom exhibit or the story of the 1967 uprising in Detroit.

We hit it from all angles, and we’re the only ones doing that. That’s at risk right now.

Jer: You both add a lot of context. I think about the whole Chinatown discussion. When we were covering Detroit’s Chinatown, it blew my mind how many Detroiters didn’t even know that we had one.

Elana: There were actually two.

Jer: Yeah. My dad lived near one of them. He was a Plum Street artist.

But it’s one of those things where you go online and realize how many people don’t remember or don’t have that connection. Even though I’m in my upper 40s now, there are legions of people without that memory.

It’s important to remember all those pieces of our history because Detroit and Metro Detroit have been blasted apart into this polycentric region. We’re spread across all these places, and it’s important that we keep the recipes.

Elana: It’s so important that we keep the recipes.

Jer: I also want to get down to brass tacks. One of the most transformative millages we’ve had in Metro Detroit is the DIA millage, which lets Macomb, Wayne and Oakland County residents go to the DIA for free.

Would this millage create that kind of access for the Detroit Historical Museum and the Charles Wright?

Neil: Absolutely. But let me answer the last question as well.

At the Wright Museum, our core exhibit tells the story of African Americans from the shores of Africa through the present day. It was actually the model for the Smithsonian’s exhibition on the same topic. The National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., took the Wright’s model and created its own. I call it our exhibit on steroids.

Beyond that, we do Wright Conversations, performances and a myriad of public programs in the community. We have programs around Kwanzaa, Juneteenth and other special events. The breadth of the work we do is extensive and touches all kinds of people.

We say African American history is American history because so much of what happened in the African American community, particularly during the civil rights movement, influenced how we think about voting and democracy.

Tomorrow, if I can make a plug, we have Stacey Abrams at the museum to talk about voting and its significance and importance, particularly in this moment.

If the millage passes, we will offer free admission to all residents of Oakland and Wayne counties. There will be busing for students to get to the facilities, because one reason we hear that people do not visit as much as they want is that they cannot get there.

There will also be busing for seniors and curriculum guides for teachers. Teachers tell us they would love to use more of the material they see in these institutions in their classrooms, but they don’t always have the time to do the research required to make it a viable curriculum. We can do that work for them.

And 15% of the millage proceeds will go to other public historical museums in the two counties.

Jer: Incredible.

Neil: In addition to shoring up our two institutions, our sister institutions — smaller organizations that we work with all the time — will benefit, too. They come to us to borrow artifacts or get help with exhibits, and they will be eligible to receive grants from the counties to further their own work.

It’s exciting. We know people love the museums right in their communities, no matter where they live.

Elana: This is different from other millages people have supported because it stretches much further.

Jer: What is the scope of this millage? How do the nuts and bolts work if it passes or doesn’t pass? What counties does it cover?

Elana: It’s Wayne and Oakland counties. It needs to pass in both counties in order to pass at all, so we’re working hard to get the word out.

The polling we’ve done shows that people are very supportive. We know this community loves its arts and culture institutions, and we’ve seen that with the DIA millage, its renewal and the zoo.

We are the last two publicly held institutions, and the cost is about $3 a month for a home valued at $300,000. We think that, even at a time when people are concerned about affordability, it is quite affordable — especially considering what you get in return.

Norris: Absolutely. And especially for me, the exhibits at the Charles Wright are transformative.

Everyone in America who comes to Detroit has to visit the Charles Wright — not just because of the significance of the exhibits as they relate to the triangle trade, but also because of the African American relationship to this region, Detroit and Michigan as a whole.

My next question: We’ve talked about affordability, but what are your favorite parts of working at these museums? We don’t often get many chances to talk with the curators or directors of these institutions. Why do you get up in the morning to do this work?

Neil: My office overlooks the main rotunda of the museum. What thrills me every day is seeing young kids come through the door — the volume of them who come through in a given week, and how diverse those groups are.

Seeing them come in, enjoy the exhibits, then return to their buses afterward with that buzz among them — it’s a thrill for me.

Elana: I agree. It’s really magical work, and for me it’s about the human element, too.

There’s something special about seeing those multigenerational moments: “Let me show you this. I remember when …”

Jer: Like my grandmother losing me with a docent.

Elana: Right. But seeing that interaction between generations is special. A lot of teaching goes on during those times, and museums are special places for families.

The Streets of Old Detroit, where you wandered off, is almost an untouchable part of the museum. If you grew up here, you went there in third grade to learn how Detroit was founded.

We’ve added interpretation and technology to help people dig deeper, but it has essentially stayed the same because it holds a special place in people’s hearts.

Museums are also among the only remaining trusted institutions in the country — probably in the world. We hold spaces for difficult conversations.

I’m looking forward to being at Neil’s event tomorrow to hear Stacey Abrams talk about the importance of voting today. We run the gamut.

History is not old and dusty. We are making history today.

That’s part of what we call contemporary collecting. Our team is always looking for and collecting artifacts, photos and video of history being made today — by important people whose names we all know, but also by everyday people who have that Detroit grit and are hustling and making things happen here.

Norris: So what I’m hearing, Jer, is that Daily Detroit could be in a museum one day.

Jer: You could. You could be one day.

Every time I see that old WXYZ sign, that’s what I’m saying. We should put this big old logo in there. Put Fezzy in there.

Our mascot is this guy, Fezzy. His name is Lucius Vernon Fezgerald III.

Norris: Of course it is. You’ve got to have a government name.

Jer: Yeah, yeah.

For people who are listening and maybe haven’t experienced your places in a while: What’s happening this fall that you’re proud of? Point to a couple exhibits or things people should see if they’ve never been to the museums, or if they haven’t visited in a long time.

Neil: Our core exhibit is always the main draw for people who haven’t seen it before.

In another gallery, we have an exhibit called Who Votes? It’s about the Electoral College and how it works in our electoral system. A lot of people do not realize that we vote for electors, who then vote for president, and why the popular vote doesn’t always translate directly.

It’s a fully interactive exhibit where visitors can work through which states go where and figure out how to get to 270, which is the magic number.

We also have an exhibit from the estate of Elizabeth Catlett, the renowned sculptor, painter and artist.

On the lecture side, we have Stacey Abrams coming in, as we mentioned. Later this year, Abby Phillip and Angela Davis will be with us. Herb Boyd, our own local-hero historian, will be back with us as well.

On the performance side, Jessica Care Moore is reviving one of her best works, Wild Beauty. The Philadelphia Dance Company, Philadanco, will be in the theater, and Michelle and Degi Otello will be with us this year.

It’s an exciting year, with different voices from throughout African and African American culture.

Jer: That’s amazing.

Elana: I’ll pick three examples. We’re always working on something new.

One thing I’d love to highlight is our Hustle Project. We are featuring the stories of 35 Detroit-based entrepreneurs of color who are making history today. That kicks off this fall with the first set of exhibits and will run for a year and a half.

We have lots of programming around that, including resource summits, but it’s really focused on history as it is being made today.

We also have a comic book exhibit. People don’t understand the depth of Detroit’s history in comic books.

Jer: I actually covered that for the show. That was one of my favorite parts. We went down there and talked to them. They’re so cool.

Elana: That exhibit is rotating out, and we’re launching a huge exhibit on the history of the Cass Corridor. Everybody is going to love that.

Then, in our community gallery, we’re going to tell the story of the Parade Company, which turns 100. Detroiters and nostalgia are a beautiful thing.

Those are just a few examples. It really runs the gamut. We invite people to come. These are your museums. We are here for everybody in the region to enjoy, and we’re really excited about the prospect of free admission for residents of Wayne and Oakland counties.

Jer: I’ll say this as a member of the historical museum: One of the great things about having regular access to museums is that they can be a third space that you’ve already paid for.

If you need a moment to chill, hang out with some history, learn about your history or enjoy one of the events, you can do that.

I think it’s going to be great for the region and the city. I don’t always advocate for things, but this is one of the few times I will actually have a lawn sign in my front yard.

Norris: We’re standing on this one.

Jer: Very rarely, as the host of this show, do I put a lawn sign in my front yard. But I will for this, because I think it is important to support spaces like these.

Detroit is a community, a city and a region that has been pulled in so many directions, for so many reasons and in so many ways. Every way we can come together, learn about our past and build our future is important.

Norris: I’m with you, Jer. Support this millage.

As I said before, the DIA’s millage was transformative. Being able to go to the Detroit Historical Museum, go to the Wright and experience these institutions — which have been here for many years and are, in my opinion, significantly under-visited and underutilized by our communities — is important.

That is often because of structural issues around cost and transportation. Knowing the millage would help with those things is fantastic.

The Cultural Center — with all our museums, the library and Wayne State — is one of the last pieces that can bring it all together. You could spend a whole day there, almost a whole weekend there. And if you’re a resident of Wayne or Oakland County, you could do almost all of it for free if this passes.

Think about that. It’s something great to do. Three dollars a month.

Jer: I like it.

Obviously, listeners, the decision is yours. You know where I stand, but I respect your decisions and thoughts.

When people are making their decision, what should they look for on the ballot? What is it labeled?

Elana: It has a long name: the Southeast Michigan Historical Museums Authority. It will be on the back of your ballot.

Jer: Back of your ballot.

Elana: Yes.

Jer: Please flip the ballot over. Look for the long name involving the Historical Museums Authority if you want to evaluate this proposal.

And if you want more information, the website is yes2ourstory.com.

Elana Rugh, president and CEO of the Detroit Historical Society, and Neil Barclay, president and CEO of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History: Thank you so much for heading up the street and stopping by the studio.

Elana: Thanks, guys.

Neil: Appreciate it. Thank you for having us.