DEARBORN, Michigan – On Friday, September 27, The Dearborn Historical Museum is holding a beer tasting fundraiser on the grounds of the McFadden Ross House at 915 Brady Street.
This is the first event of this magnitude undertaken by the museum to raise funds to preserve Dearborn’s history, provide educational programs for children, and maintain the museum’s historic buildings, archives and collection. We are striving to become a destination by providing interesting exhibits, events and lectures. Since July 2012, the museum has been run by a group of dedicated volunteers and two part time employees.
With drastic cuts in funding, it has become necessary to keep the museum operating with new and creative ways of raising revenue. The Party at the Museum is geared toward attracting a large after work crowd to visit the museum on Friday evening, September 27.
The McFadden Ross House, originally built as a powder magazine (a building to store explosive gun powder in wood barrels for safe keeping) for the Detroit Arsenal at Dearbornville in 1839, is now used for exhibits, meetings, houses a gift shop and offers tours. Several Dearborn residents will be exhibiting their collections of beer memorabilia and art work along with a Dearborn High Schools sports exhibit in the Ross House.
Period dressed docents will be on hand to give historical information about the house. Also on the grounds is the Gardner House. The three-room Gardner House, Dearborn’s oldest building outside the confines of Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford, provides a glimpse into simpler times. It was once occupied by a boyhood chum of Henry Ford. Today it is primarily used for educational purposes. It gives children a glimpse into what it was like to live as a pioneer in Michigan during the 1800s.
On the evening of the beer tasting party, the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War Sgt. John S. Cosbey, Camp #427 will “man” the Gardner House for tours.
Kuhnhenn’s and Dragonmead Breweries, both award winning local micro brewers, will offer several varieties of craft beers, wine and root beer for party goers. BBQ ribs, pork, brisket, and chicken will be for sale by the Detroit BBQ Company.
They are well known for their quality meat and regularly grill at Detroit Lions tailgate parties and Kuhnhenn’s Micro Brewery. They were in Dearborn earlier this year at the West Dearborn Block Party.
On the stage will be 80’s INC. With a perfect mix of the best music from the 80’s, combined with talented musicians, 80’s INC. takes it’s audience on a journey back to the “Decade of Decadence” in style.
Tickets for this event cost $8 if purchased before Sept. 27 or $9 at the door. The price includes a souvenir glass mug, one free beer, wine, or root beer, entertainment and free parking at Ford Field or at the museum. Entertainment Express will provide a free shuttle to and from Ford Field on their trolley.
Tickets are available at the museum office, City Council office, City Clerk’s office, Double Olive Martini Bar, Family Dentistry at Military and Cherry Hill, Steven Bernard Jewelers at 22266 Michigan Avenue and Gentlemen First Barbershop at 949 S. Military.
In addition, Gentlemen First will give anyone who shows their ticket a $3 discount on a haircut. Steve Guibord, owner of the Double Olive Martini Bar, is holding an afterglow party following the beer tasting at the Double Olive at 22027 Michigan Avenue.
For more information, call the Dearborn Historical Museum at 565-3000.