Edition No. 49
Community and Family
Walt Disney World, the iconic theme park celebrated its 50th anniversary this having first opened its gates to the public on October 1, 1971. Listen to an episode of Morning Edition from NPR that recalls the history that led to opening day.
American Democracy
At a recent White House press briefing on the infrastructure bill, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg described the bill as creating an opportunity for the US to address a variety of transportation issues including the negative impact of past highway location decisions on communities of color.
Nostalgic seasonal traditions take shape as holiday season quickly approaches
J.L. Hudson Department Store in 1941 Photo credit Detroit Historical Society
Countless families have a distinct holiday memory that presents itself this time of year. Many Michiganders are beginning to switch seasonal gears, swapping out pumpkins for garland and scarecrows for snowman. For some its picking the perfect tree while others prepare for the infamous holiday family photos.
Though the days of lining up at local department stores are dwindling, the spirit of the holiday season at Hudson's will come alive at the Detroit Historical Museum.
Beginning today, the Hudson's Holiday exhibit will run through January 22 at the Detroit Historical Museum, 5401 Woodward Ave., Detroit. This exhibit will display a variety of décor bringing back the memories and magic of Hudson’s in pop-up exhibitions throughout the museum, just in time for the holiday season.
Originally founded as a clothier for men and boys in 1881, J.L. Hudson Company reportedly racked up an average of 100,000 sales per day by the 1950s, and its 25-story building was the world’s tallest department store until 1961. At Hudson’s Holiday, visitors will learn what made the department store so popular, like its wide selection of merchandise and full-service approach, which went beyond in-store restaurants, salons, and alterations departments.
For more details including hours and admission for the Hudson's Holiday exhibit, visit detroithistorical.org.
Continue the holiday spirit by enjoying a local tree lighting ceremony
Image Source: Downtown Detroit Partnership
A staple for many households is gathering with family and friends at local tree lighting ceremonies. The Annual Village Tree Lighting at St. Clair at Kercheval, Grosse Pointe, kicks off this year at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 19. The evening begins with a performance by Grosse Pointe South Choir while guests indulge in delicious hot chocolate and smores and keep cozy by warming fires amongst family, friends, and community members. At 6:00 p.m., the annual tree lighting ceremony will take place, led by the City of Grosse Pointe Mayor and the Grosse Pointe Foundation.
As many beloved events continue to safely return to in-person, a Detroit tradition for families is back and will be bigger, brighter, and better than ever! The Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) and DTE Energy Foundation are proud to present the 18th annual Detroit Tree Lighting. The event will again be held at the award-winning Campus Martius Park from 5 p.m. – midnight on Friday, Nov. 19, and the public is invited to take part in a full schedule of free festivities and entertainment – including the official opening of the skate rink for the holiday season.
While we often hear that the holidays are “the most wonderful time of the year,” why not live up to that phrase by reengaging with our favorite seasonal memories.
The Social Impact of our Built Environment
“Take any major American city and you’re likely to find a historically Black neighborhood demolished, gashed in two, or cut off from the rest of the city by a highway.”
-- Bloomberg City Lab
Image Source: Bloomberg CityLab
At a recent White House press briefing on the infrastructure bill, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg described the bill as creating an opportunity for the US to address a variety of transportation issues including the negative impact of past highway location decisions on communities of color.
In July 2021, researchers associated with Bloomberg CityLab considered how one might do that in a piece entitled, “What It Looks Like to Reconnect Black Communities Torn Apart by Highways.” They used the Rondo neighborhood of St. Paul, Minnesota to describe and illustrate strategies that might be employed to redress the negative impact of these 1940s-1960s highway location decisions. To give readers a sense of the nature and extent of the problem, however, the post first used maps for Detroit and six other cities showing the paths of federally funded freeways plowing through the heart of historically black business districts and residential neighborhoods.
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