Southfield Historical Society

06/03/2026

According to local Monroe legend, the "First American flag raised on Michigan soil" flew over the River Raisin Settlement in 1796. While details of that story are largely lost to history, we do know that a U.S. military force traveled through what would become Monroe County en route to finally close a chapter of the Revolutionary War, over a decade after its end.

In honor of the events of 1796, the Monroe County Museum invites everyone to join museum staff and our partner organizations in creating a faithful reproduction of the 1796 U.S. National flag. Drop in any time from 10 AM to 7 PM to help us complete the 9 x 13-foot Star Spangled Banner in time for July.

No experience? No problem! Museum staff will be available throughout the day to teach newer sewists the beginner-friendly stitching used on the original flag.

This 100% handsewn woolen flag will be flown over the Monroe County Courthouse July 1-9. Following summer 2026 patriotic celebrations, the flag will formally enter the Monroe County Museum's object collections, reposing permanently as a potent symbol of our community joining together—quite literally—in the spirit of '76 (or '96!), complete with a permanent record of all volunteer stitchers.

Please be advised that space may be tight at various times throughout the day. Light refreshments will be provided.

See facebook.com/MonroeMuseums for more information, and to stay up to date on all museum activities. The Monroe County Museum, located at 126 South Monroe Street, is open 7 days a week, from 10 AM to 5 PM. Museum admission and activities are free and open to the public.

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05/31/2026

Classic Michigan Food and Drink: The Stories Behind The Brands is full of amazing stories and secrets about the Michigan food and drink brands we know and love. Sure, Michigan invented ready-to-eat cereal (Kelloggs) and baby food (Ge**er) --but there are fun facts most Michiganders don't know, such as Better Made uses Michigan potatoes and we are the pickle-growing capital of the US. We dish on pop, cookies, jam, etc--and of course, fudge and pasties. If you’re a fan of Sanders, Faygo, Vernors and Kowalski—or have fond memories of Awrey’s and Twin Pines—you’ll eat up this show! Join Jon Milan and Gail Offen, authors of Classic Michigan Food and Drink: The Stories Behind The Brands for this discussion!

05/15/2026

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05/06/2026

Every grave in a cemetery has a story waiting to be discovered!
This Thursday, May 7th in the Meeting Room
Gravestones offer clues for uncovering those stories but can present many challenges. Oakland County Parks Historian Carol Egbo will guide us through the process of investigating a gravestone. This is the first in our Cemetery Series sponsored by the Southfield Historical Society, Southfield Parks and Recreation and the Southfield Public Library. DK
This program is part of the Southfield Library and the Southfield Historical Societies' recognition of the America 250 celebration.
This is Part One of a two-part Cemetery Series, exploring the history of local cemeteries. Part Two is May 21st.
Join us for Park Adventures at Historic Southfield Cemeteries on May 7th, 14th and 21st.

05/06/2026

Every grave in a cemetery has a story waiting to be discovered!

This Thursday, May 7th in the Meeting Room

Gravestones offer clues for uncovering those stories but can present many challenges. Oakland County Parks Historian Carol Egbo will guide us through the process of investigating a gravestone. This is the first in our Cemetery Series sponsored by the Southfield Historical Society, Southfield Parks and Recreation and the Southfield Public Library. DK

This program is part of the Southfield Library and the Southfield Historical Societies' recognition of the America 250 celebration.

This is Part One of a two-part Cemetery Series, exploring the history of local cemeteries. Part Two is May 21st.

Join us for Park Adventures at Historic Southfield Cemeteries on May 7th, 14th and 21st.

05/03/2026

Stories in Stone
Thurs May 7 6 pm
Southfield Public Library
with Carol Egbo

05/03/2026

Join us this month as we visit three historic cemeteries in Southfield.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14d3xCR5mjx/

Next Thursday, May 7th, meet at the Burgh Historic District at 9:00 am for a walk through Southfield Cemetery and a visit to the Town Hall Museum!

Join the Southfield Public Library, Southfield Parks and Recreation and The Southfield Historical Society for all of these Park Adventures, featuring walks through and discussion of three historic Southfield Cemeteries.

On May 14th meet at Southfield Parks and Recreation for a walk through and discussion of Pioneer Cemetery.

On May 21st meet at Southfield Parks and Recreation for a walk through and discussion of the Reformed Church Cemetery.

04/28/2026

Thank you Southfield City Center for this America250 Southfield hiSTORY
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04/08/2026

April 8 6 pm: The Southfield Historical Society and the Birmingham Museum invite you to a special program with renowned Odawa quillwork artists and basket makers Yvonne Walker Keshick and her daughter Odeimon Walker-Keshick to explore traditional Anishinaabe porcupine quill and birch bark artistry. Both are members of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and descended from generations of highly skilled quillwork artists. Join us in this rare opportunity to experience the stories and traditions that make this living art form so unique.

02/02/2026

"Our Indigenous Heritage" program from the Birmingham Museum at the Baldwin Public Library on Thursday, February 12 at 7 PM. Special Lecture Series features Donna Casaceli, “Indigenous and White Settler Encounters in Early Oakland County”

The earliest settlers in Oakland County purchased land acquired by treaty from local Indigenous tribes. These included in particular the Saginaw Chippewa and the Potawatomi of Southfield. Indigenous people continued to use the Saginaw Trail (now Woodward Ave.) for another generation as white settlement increased. Various accounts in the historical record describe encounters between early settlers and local Indigenous people. The Birmingham Museum's Donna Casaceli will discuss personal and official records relating to three notable examples; Cornelia Hunter Smith of Birmingham, Oliver Williams of Waterford, and Potawatomi Chief Tonquish of Southfield and the upper Rouge River area. Casaceli will focus on the issue of historical bias in the surviving narratives. In person or virtual registration for this free program is required at the Baldwin Public Library, https://www.baldwinlib.org/calendar/ #/events/. Contact the Birmingham Museum at 248-530-1928 for more information

(Image: Detail showing several do'odem signatures, including Chief Tonquish, Treaty of Detroit (1805), https://catalog.archives.gov/id/596331.)