November 22, 2018

The First Noel (Night): How the Public Found Its Detroit Adventure in Noel Night, The City’s Festive Cultural Open House

19 minutes

Outreach archivist Meghan Courtney traces the evolution of Detroit Adventure, a coalition of cultural organizations founded in 1958 to promote cultural conversations and experiences in metropolitan Detroit. In 1973 the organization debuted Noel Night, a free holiday open house in Detroit’s cultural center. Now run by Midtown Detroit, Inc., Noel Night features: performances and family activities at Detroit’s midtown museums, churches, and venues; holiday shopping; food; horse-drawn carriage rides; and more. Courtney offers a sneak preview of the Reuther Library’s contributions to the 46th Noel Night on December 1, 2018: live labor- and holiday-themed music from our talented University Library System musicians; story time with children’s books from the ULS Special Collections department; Hanukkah games; festive archives-inspired crafts and photobooth opportunities; snacks and hot chocolate; and modern indoor plumbing. All for free!

More Information

NoelNight.org

Reuther Library Subject Focus: Detroit Adventure and the First Noel Night

Related Collections

Richard McGhee Papers

Wayne State University Office of the President Clarence B. Hilberry Records

Detroit Public Library Burton Historical Collections: Detroit Adventure Records, 1958-1980

Episode Credits

Producers: Dan Golodner and Troy Eller English

Host: Dan Golodner

Interviewees: Meghan Courtney

Sound: Troy Eller English

Music: Bart Bealmear

With support from the Reuther Podcast Collective: Bart Bealmear, Elizabeth Clemens, Meghan Courtney, Troy Eller English, Dan Golodner, Paul Neirink, and Mary Wallace

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By Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

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