HISTORY HANG

A Historical Guided Tour of the Alger House

A Tale Worth Telling

The War Memorial has a rich history steeped with trials and tribulations that have made this place not only a magical one to visit, but a wonderous and magnificent story to learn. From humble beginnings as a family home, a transition into a museum, then ultimately to the facility you know and love today. This building has seen influential political figures, famous inventors, and titans of US industry come through the doors. With all they legacy-filled history in these walls, including a few art heists, the story of The War Memorial is truly one-of-a-kind.

Join our in-house historian, Betsy Alexander, as she walks you through the historic Alger House and explains the different rooms and historical significance.

Tour Information

  • This guided tour spans 90 minutes and is held biweekly on Thursday mornings at 10am.

  • Guests will traverse stone staircases and explore stunning interiors as they move about the Alger House. The home is wheelchair accessible and features an elevator for all floors.

  • Tours are limited to 12 participants to ensure a personalized and immersive experience, allowing you to fully appreciate the grandeur and stories of the mansion.

  • While the tour is free, contributions to our Historic House Fund are greatly appreciated and help support the ongoing restoration of the Alger House.

    To donate, select the “Pay What You Want” button when prompted or select the “Continue Appointment” button to finish scheduling your tour.

  • Reservations are required and can be made below.

  • In the event of low attendance, please note that we reserve the right to cancel tours 24 hours in advance.

  • Tours begin promptly at 10 am (unless otherwise noted), so we encourage you to arrive early.

History at The War Memorial
Prohibition and the Algers
Prohibition and the Algers

By the early teens, the specter of Michigan succumbing to prohibition had accelerated greatly.

In honor of our new Speakeasy event series, we wanted to delight you with an excerpt from a story we previously published about Mary Swift Alger and her involvement in Michigan’s prohibition time.

Birth of The War Memorial
Birth of The War Memorial

The War Memorial officially turned 75 on March 18th! In celebration of this momentous occasion, we are telling the story of how The War Memorial came about.

The Original “Swifties”
The Original “Swifties”

Who was a trailblazing social and political activist, feminist, and philanthropist with thousands of fervent followers, and was heralded as “one of Detroit’s greatest personalities” by the Detroit Free Press upon her death? Read on to hear her story.

Some Major Cabbage to Rent
Some Major Cabbage to Rent

The Cabbage Patch summer cottages were not quite what they sounded like: cozy little cabin type getaways to spend several weeks in during the hot Detroit summer. They were erected in spring 1903 by manufacturer/real estate mogul, Hugo Scherer and his partner, Frederick E. Wadsworth.

Gone to the Fair
Gone to the Fair

General Russell Alger had been asked to speak over the course of the Fair several times, including before the opening to the general public. He was so amazed with what he witnessed each time, he thought it a superb learning opportunity for every American.