Dexter Area Historical Society
|
Museum
3443 Inverness Street Dexter, MI 48130 The museum is closed until May 2026. Throughout the year we welcome researchers, questions, and donations. To contact us leave a message at 734 426-2519 or send an email to [email protected] |
Gordon Hall
8311 Island Lake Road Dexter, MI 48130 Gordon Hall is closed for renovations. See below for details and progress!
|
Membership and Volunteers:
We have many opportunities for volunteers and welcome your participation!
Click here for a link to the membership and volunteer form.
Check out our latest Newsletter - Fall 2025
Or browse the Newsletter Archive
We have many opportunities for volunteers and welcome your participation!
Click here for a link to the membership and volunteer form.
Check out our latest Newsletter - Fall 2025
Or browse the Newsletter Archive
Gordon Hall Restoration Update
This past summer and fall we have strengthened the support structure of Gordon Hall in preparation for restoration of the first, second and attic levels. This included pointing of the stone walls, gluing and screwing plywood on both sides of many joists where they were compromised, adding new laminated joists in select locations and additional steel beams and support posts to bring the buildings load carrying capacity to code. The pictures below show this progress. Changes were also made to remove water from around the foundation with gutter leaf guards, downspout changes and provision for buried drains next spring to direct water away from the building.
|
|
Additional Good news, we now have we have gifts and pledges to proceed to the next phase of restoration. January 2026, we are removing everything inside the first and second floors of the building for storage either in the attic or storage pods. Later first quarter we will completely demo the 1950s interior, less new restrooms and meeting room. Second quarter restoration starts with repair of the plank flooring, all new stairs, rough in of the 1841 floor plan, construction of the elevator/lift shaft and mechanism, and completion of the Grand Hall as a showplace for later interior finishing. As funding becomes available, we will install the utilities and restore the chimneys. Funding generosity should enable full completion during 2028 with drywall and skim coating, doors and all the fancy trim work, rebuilding the windows, finish lighting, and final decorative work.
Challenge Grant - The Gordon Hall 2026 Project
|
The Dexter Area Historical Society is beginning a transformational step in the restoration of Gordon Hall. In 2026 we will reconfigure the interior of Gordon Hall to match its original floor plan, add a lift, and completely finish the interior of the central stair hall.
Between a grant and several generous donations, we already have $750,000 of the $1 million that we need to complete this project. For this Challenge Grant, we have a seed donation of $10,000. With this as a start, we have a goal to raise $250,000 to complete The Gordon Hall 2026 Project. The deadline for the campaign is March 1, 2026. For more information about your donation or the renovation call Caryl Burke at 734-476-5232 or email us at [email protected]. Your donation will help bring the restoration of Gordon Hall closer to completion. |
Will you join our legacy of support?
You can donate via credit card by clicking the DONATE button at the top of the page or you can make checks payable to DAHS (Please note “Gordon Hall 2026 Project“ on the memo line) and mail to:
DAHS, 3443 Inverness Street, Dexter, MI 48130. |
Our 2025 Dexter Area Historical Society Holiday Events
|
The 2025 holiday events at Gordon Hall were beautiful and successful! Over 700 people attended the various holiday events in spite of the cold and sometimes icy weather. Folks from age 9 months to 90 years visited to have tea, see Santa and his elf Cindy Sue, view the amazing Christmas Village Collection (and complete the scavenger hunt), make a gingerbread house, mingle with other supporters, and of course see the beautiful holiday decorations. |
|
Many of our attendees came to see Gordon Hall for the very first time to hear about its history and its stories. Many others came to visit an old friend before DAHS embarks on a massive interior restoration project on the house in 2026. It won’t look the same when you see it the next time, but it will have taken a huge step toward full restoration! (See below for details.)
Thanks to all who supported us as attendees, as sponsors, as donors, and as volunteers. We look forward to seeing you in 2026!
Thanks to all who supported us as attendees, as sponsors, as donors, and as volunteers. We look forward to seeing you in 2026!
|
Holiday Bazaar 2025
The Dexter Heritage Guild's Holiday Bazaar and Bake Sale was a success again this year. Our Second Chance Sale, the following Saturday, brought in additional customers. All proceed from the two events support the Dexter Area Museum. Thank you to all of the DAHS members who donated food for our bake sale, vintage decorations and crafts. Also to those who helped staff our two sales. Your continued support played a huge role in our success. |
|
Don't forget to get your copy of the Dexter Bicentennial Book!
Compiled from the collection of information and photos at the Dexter Area Museum and printed with the help of a donation from the Dexter Community Fund.
Proceeds support the work of the Dexter Area Historical Society |
Dexter Michigan
Then and Now Celebrating 200 Years The cost is $30 with a small service fee on credit card sales.
The book will be available for purchase: And at the following locations in town:
|
|
The popular Dexter Throw now available!
We have recently received a new shipment! You can purchase a Dexter Throw at the museum. A new shipment has arrived, custom woven just for us. They are available in red, green, and blue for $50. |
|
|
What fun at the annual meeting on Sunday, October 19!
Diane Hall entertained us with some of her extensive collection of hats from around the world. Volunteers modeled hats from prestigious, long-gone city department stores, couturiers, and milliners. It was fun and informative. |
|
|
Gordon Hall Raffle - And the winner is . . .
The 2025 winner of the Gordon Hall Raffle was Eula Eddy of Chelsea! It was a 50/50 raffle and the drawing was held at Dexter Daze on Saturday August 9. Congratulations to Eula!! As always, this wonderful community supported DAHS and Gordon Hall by buying raffle tickets. Thank you so much to Eula and to everyone who bought a ticket! We value the faith you have in us. DAHS will apply our half of the total sales to the restoration of Gordon Hall. |
|
Gordon Hall Days 2025 - another enjoyable time!
|
The weekend began with a Friday evening Gordon Hall fundraiser highlighted by delicious food from Dexter’s Pub and beer from Erratic Ale. Music, dancing, and conversation with friends rounded out the evening.
|
Saturday featured many events and, as always, the tour through historic Gordon Hall was a favorite. On the grounds many local area residents demonstrated weaving, felting, caning and more. The train depot display, the archaeology booth and the car show also captured interest. Children’s crafts, games, and animals made this a wonderful family event. Chela's food truck provided tasty refreshments.
On Saturday afternoon a costumed 1935 Garden Party Tea, celebrating Katharine Dexter McCormick's 60th birthday, was held in the big tent. Models wore ensembles once again provided by Helen Welford, who provided fascinating details regarding events and celebrations which would have occurred in 1935. The tea was well attended with several first timers -- all marveling at Helen's entertaining program. The weekend finished with a volunteer appreciation event on Sunday for our many our wonderful volunteers. Thanks to everyone who attended and/or worked to help make 2025 Gordon Hall Days a successful event. |
|
Forest Lawn Cemetery Tours- Spring and Fall 2025 The fall tour did not enjoy the same beautiful weather as the spring tour, but many visitors attended in spite of the clouds and occasional light rain. The tour featured costumed "actors" portraying prominent Dexter residents such as Royal Copeland, Dr. Wylie, Calvin Fillmore, Dennis Warner and more. Future tours highlighting other citizens are being planned through the Dexter District Library for next year. |
|
Gordon Hall
Gordon Hall is a majestic, iconic symbol of Dexter that embodies the area’s link to its origins. DAHS has worked hard through the years to tell the stories of this historic building and of this area’s founding families. Our vision is to restore Gordon Hall to its original grandeur and open it to the community as a venue for events, exhibits, and community activities. The $3.5 million full restoration will restore the building to its original historic splendor and include structural restoration as well as all new heating, cooling, power, and universal access via a lift.
In 2025 we will do structural improvements in the basement at Gordon Hall. The work will be partly funded by a wonderful grant from the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) in coordination with Washtenaw County. The rest of the funding has come from our amazing donors and supporters. If you donated last year, this will be how we put your money to work. THANK YOU!! And thanks to SHPO and our partners at Washtenaw County!
For work we completed in 2024, see the related article below.
In 2025 we will do structural improvements in the basement at Gordon Hall. The work will be partly funded by a wonderful grant from the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) in coordination with Washtenaw County. The rest of the funding has come from our amazing donors and supporters. If you donated last year, this will be how we put your money to work. THANK YOU!! And thanks to SHPO and our partners at Washtenaw County!
For work we completed in 2024, see the related article below.
If you would like to donate with a credit card, click the DONATE button at the right below the thermometer. To use a check, make it payable to DAHS and note “Gordon Hall restoration” on the memo line. Mail it to DAHS, 3443 Inverness Street, Dexter, MI 48130. You can also help us by becoming a volunteer or by spreading the word about our plans. Please contact us at [email protected] and join us as we recreate this beautiful historic space.
Gordon Hall Restoration Work Continues!
|
In September 2024, DAHS completed the upgrade of the electrical service at Gordon Hall. This is the latest in a long series of projects aimed at restoring Gordon Hall. The original service was installed in 1950 and included 5 separate meters, one for each of the 4 apartments and one for the house. Gordon Hall now has an electrical supply capable of running our building once its restoration is complete, with planned updates that include an energy-efficient heating and cooling system and a lift for universal access. The work was supported by a grant from the Michigan Arts and Culture Commission and also by many generous donations from our community.
Thank you! 
|
|
|
Past Dexter Area Historical Society Events
|
Dexter Area Historical Society Annual Meeting
The meeting, held at the museum on September 8, 2024, was attended by over 50 people. After a brief business meeting we heard from Brian Braun, an auctioneer in the Michigan Auctioneer Hall of Fame. Brian lives on a Centennial Farm and has been collecting canning jars for many years. He shared his knowledge of canning history and displayed some of his collection. Several attendees brought jars and questions for Brian. It was an interesting afternoon! |
|
|
|
Dexter's Bicentennial Celebration!
The city went all out with a carnival, fair and parade. You could even see Judge Dexter walking around town! The Dexter Area Historical Society joined in the city-wide celebration. Our events started in May with a cemetery tour and concluded with an evening at Gordon Hall with Billy Mack and the Juke Joint Johnnies. We also dug up the 1974 memory capsule and buried a new one. We hosted a tea at Gordon Hall featuring 1860’s wedding fashions, participated in the parade and hosted a booth downtown. |
|
|
Unveiling the 1974 Time Capsule and burying a new one!
Although we were disappointed that the casket containing the 1974 memorabilia was broken and the contents suffered water damage, there were still some interesting items inside!
The items were on display at the museum along with the many donations for burial in the new capsule. A large crowd enjoyed cake served by the Heritage Guild and ice cream compliments of the Dexter Lions. |
|
Restore Gordon Hall!
|
We continue our fundraising efforts toward the restoration of historic Gordon Hall. Our goal is to start work in 2024, Dexter's bicentennial year.
Any donation, large or small, is appreciated. Your support will help to create a lasting legacy for future generations. You can donate by pushing the DONATE button below or by mailing a check to DAHS at 3443 Inverness in Dexter 48130 (designated Gordon Hall Restoration). |
DAHS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and your donation is therefore tax deductible to the extent provided by law. We are run entirely by volunteers, so your full donation is applied to the work that we do.
Gordon Hall Milk House
Thank you to the Ann Arbor Kiwanis for awarding us a grant to complete the steps for the milk house at Gordon Hall. When we open, besides our new improvements at Gordon Hall, you will be able to visit the milk house and go down to the basement where they stored meat and produce.
Exciting tours will await when we can have visitors.
Exciting tours will await when we can have visitors.
|
|
|
|
We want to extend a very sincere thank you to our Dexter Area Historical Society members, our sponsors and to the Dexter community for their continued support of our ongoing restoration efforts at our local historical treasure, Gordon Hall!
|
The Bob and Jan Lyons Foundation
|
The Cedars of Dexter
411 Cedars Lane Dexter, Michigan 48130 |
Dexter Lions Club
PO Box 102 Dexter, MIchigan 48130 |
The Dexter Area Historical Society (DAHS) is a nonprofit organization in Dexter, Michigan, which supports the preservation of the history of the Dexter area. DAHS owns and operates two properties: the Dexter Area Museum and Gordon Hall.
The DAHS board meets on the first Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM at the museum.
Dexter Museum
Located in the Village of Dexter, Michigan the Dexter Area Historical Museum serves as western Washtenaw County's link with history. The museum is housed in the former St. Andrew's United Church of Christ built in 1883. In addition to numerous artifacts, the museum contains a large display area, a genealogical library, a local history library and the Corner Gift Shop. The museum is open May - November on Friday and Saturday afternoons.
The Dexter Heritage Guild is the fundraising group for the Musem.
Museum and Heritage Guild information
Historic Gordon Hall
Built in the 1840's Gordon Hall is owned and operated by the Dexter Area Historical Society. The society puts on events at Gordon Hall throughout the year to raise funds for the rehabilitation of the building. The venue may also be rented for weddings and other events.
Gordon Hall history and event scheduling
The DAHS board meets on the first Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM at the museum.
Dexter Museum
Located in the Village of Dexter, Michigan the Dexter Area Historical Museum serves as western Washtenaw County's link with history. The museum is housed in the former St. Andrew's United Church of Christ built in 1883. In addition to numerous artifacts, the museum contains a large display area, a genealogical library, a local history library and the Corner Gift Shop. The museum is open May - November on Friday and Saturday afternoons.
The Dexter Heritage Guild is the fundraising group for the Musem.
Museum and Heritage Guild information
Historic Gordon Hall
Built in the 1840's Gordon Hall is owned and operated by the Dexter Area Historical Society. The society puts on events at Gordon Hall throughout the year to raise funds for the rehabilitation of the building. The venue may also be rented for weddings and other events.
Gordon Hall history and event scheduling
Locations
|
Museum HoursMay through November
Friday and Saturday afternoons from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM Gordon Hall is open during special events and by appointment only. |
