Dexter Area Historical Society
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Museum
3443 Inverness Street Dexter, MI 48130 The Museum is open on Friday and Saturday from 1pm - 3pm. Throughout the year we welcome researchers, questions and donations. To contact us leave a message at 734 426-2519 or send an email to DexMuseum@aol.com |
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Gordon Hall
8311 Island Lake Road Dexter, MI 48130 Gordon Hall is open during special events and by appointment only. |
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Holiday Campaign in Support of Gordon Hall
Gordon Hall is a majestic, iconic symbol of Dexter that embodies the area’s link to its origins. 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 2024 we will upgrade the electrical service to the house. For this year’s Gordon Hall Challenge Grant, a group of Gordon Hall supporters has offered to match every dollar donated for the historic manor’s restoration up to $15,000. We took the group up on its offer and set a goal to raise $50,000 for renovations. The deadline for the campaign is January 31, 2024. Will you join our legacy of support? If you would like to donate, click the DONATE button to use a credit card. To use a check, make it to DAHS and note “Gordon Hall restoration” on the memo line. Then 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. |
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Holiday events
Gordon Hall will be open evenings from 6pm to 8pm on December 9, 16, and 27.
For a unique experience, visit the Christmas Village Collection after dark, when it is at its magical best. Historic Gordon Hall will twinkle and shine in its holiday finery as you enjoy the beautiful holiday decorations. A scavenger hunt will entertain the kids. What a great way to celebrate the season with family and friends!
Suggested donation: $5/adult.
Location: Gordon Hall, 8311 Island Lake Rd, Dexter, MI.
For a unique experience, visit the Christmas Village Collection after dark, when it is at its magical best. Historic Gordon Hall will twinkle and shine in its holiday finery as you enjoy the beautiful holiday decorations. A scavenger hunt will entertain the kids. What a great way to celebrate the season with family and friends!
Suggested donation: $5/adult.
Location: Gordon Hall, 8311 Island Lake Rd, Dexter, MI.
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Christmas at the Mansion was a great success.
The mansion was decked out in holiday splendor. Our guests on Friday evening enjoyed hors d'oeuvres, spirits and desserts while engaging in conversation in the festive Gordon Hall setting. On Saturday 460 folks visited Gordon Hall to put in their requests with Santa, build gingerbread houses, and enjoy the Christmas Village Collection of Department 56 houses. There were two seatings on Sunday afternoon for tea. The guests enjoyed tea, sandwiches and cookies and learned about the women of Gordon Hall. There is still a chance to see the holiday displays at our open houses on the 9th, 16th and 27th. |
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Holiday Bazaar!
On Saturday, December 9, 2023, from 10am to 2pm, the Dexter Heritage Guild is offering a "Second Chance Holiday Bazaar" at the Dexter Area Museum, 3443 Inverness in Dexter.
On Saturday, December 9, 2023, from 10am to 2pm, the Dexter Heritage Guild is offering a "Second Chance Holiday Bazaar" at the Dexter Area Museum, 3443 Inverness in Dexter.
Gordon Hall Days -2023
Thanks to our community and to our sponsors for a very successful Gordon Hall Days!
Thanks to our community and to our sponsors for a very successful Gordon Hall Days!
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Don't forget to get your copy of the book
Dexter Michigan Then and Now Celebrating 200 Years The cost is $30 with a small service fee on credit card sales. Locations:
At the museum Friday and Saturday 1-3 through November and Saturday December 9 and 16 from 10-3. At Gordon Hall during Christmas at the Mansion events Friday Dec 1 – Dec 3 and at the evening open houses on December 9, 16 and 27. At Heritage Guild Bazaar on Dec 2 at the museum And at the following locations:
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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 |
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Gordon Hall Raffle - And the winner is . . .
The 2023 winner of the Gordon Hall Raffle was Terry Stafford of Dexter! It was a 50/50 raffle and the drawing was held at Dexter Daze on Saturday August 12. Congratulations to Terry and his wife!! As always, this wonderful community supported DAHS and Gordon Hall by buying raffle tickets. Terry supported us even more by donating some of his winnings back to DAHS! Thank you so much to Terry 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. |
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Restore Gordon Hall!
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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.
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 2023
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 2023
Or browse the Newsletter Archive
Past Dexter Area Historical Society Events
Christmas at the Mansion 2022
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Thanks to everyone who made the events possible and many thanks to those who enjoyed them! |
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Gordon Hall Days 2022
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Thanks to the community for our successful raffle!!
The Ninth Annual Gordon Hall Raffle presented by the Dexter Area Historical Society (DAHS) was a great success. We collected over $13,000, half of which goes to our winner and the other half to DAHS to support our work at the historical society. We appreciate the support of our community and invite you to visit the museum and join us for Gordon Hall Days September 9-11. |
Our lucky winner - Kevin Harsch!
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Dexter Memorial Day Parade
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What a great celebration of the vote for women at the Dexter Memorial Day parade! We had 50 participants and we were cheered all along the parade route. The parade itself was the best ever! |
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Our dinner fundraiser at Cornman Farms was a success! We earned over $12,000 for Gordon Hall thanks to your generous support.
Dexter Area Historical Society Fundraiser
Wednesday April 27, 2022 -
Neighbors helping Neighbors
Cornman Farms Gordon Hall
Hoey Farm 1843
1834
Dexter Area Historical Society Fundraiser
Wednesday April 27, 2022 -
Neighbors helping Neighbors
Cornman Farms Gordon Hall
Hoey Farm 1843
1834
Christmas at the Mansion 2021 and Museum Bazaar and Bake Sale
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Thank you for all of your support - December 3rd and 4th
At Gordon Hall we had quite a crowd both Friday and Saturday. Friday night we had carolers which put everyone in a festive mood for our event and Saturday we had a strong wind to remind us that Christmas meant winter. At the Museum they had a steady stream all day with successful sales. Both events were enjoyed by the community and that was our main goal. So again, thanks and have a great Christmas. Thanks, Bev |
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Thanks for celebrating with us! Our 50th anniversary open house on July 25th was a great success!
Gordon Hall Renovation Update
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The first phase of Gordon Hall renovation is complete and it looks great! We contracted A. R. Brouwer Company, LLC for the addition of three bathrooms on the ground floor, a room on the second floor and replacement of the back porch with a replica of the original. In addition, work has been done on the North Parlor including restoring the original 1840 floors and painting the walls. |
Gordon Hall has a nice new look and is ready to host events. Please see our event page or contact Bene Fusilier at benefusilier@att.net or 734-426-8972 to book your date today.
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These pictures show some of the completed work by the contractor as well as the work done by volunteers to remove carpet and plywood in the North Parlor. It took crowbars to remove the many nails that were used to hold down the plywood! The stairway was added in 1951 by the U of M to access the two upper apartments, so we just removed the carpet from them. Our plans are to continue restoring the floor which we hope to show off on September 11th and 12th during our special 2021 Gordon Hall Days. |
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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.
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Gordon Hall Renovation Update
We are excited about the completion of Phase I of our renovation plan. We appreciate all the help and support we have received from the community. If you would like to donate to help with the next phases of Gordon Hall renovation you can use our Pay Pal button above or send a check marked “Gordon Hall Rehabilitation” to
Dexter Area Historical Society
3443 Inverness
Dexter, Michigan 48130
If you have questions, please call Caryl Burke at 734 476-5232
Thank you!!
Dexter Area Historical Society
3443 Inverness
Dexter, Michigan 48130
If you have questions, please call Caryl Burke at 734 476-5232
Thank you!!
Dexter Historical Museum
The museum is now open for visitors every Friday and Saturday 1-3. Come in and you'll see that we have been busy! The "Bats in the Belfry" campaign allowed us to restore the belfry AND paint the entire exterior of the building! We also held two garage sales and a Holiday Sale thanks to the Dexter Heritage Guild and gift shop. The proceeds from the sales were used to purchase two large handsome display cabinets for the main display room along with lighting for them. The downstairs hallway has been painted and we have a new kitchen display.
Past Events:
Christmas at the Mansion 2020
Christmas at the Mansion 2020
We were unable to hold our annual Christmas at the Mansion event in 2020, but we did decorate the porch and encouraged people to stop by for photos. We look forward to bringing our traditional events (including Santa, making gingerbread houses and touring the Christmas Village collection) back for the holiday season in 2021.
Fall Fundraiser 2020
A Harvest of Hope for Gordon Hall
A Harvest of Hope for Gordon Hall
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The DAHS Harvest of Hope for Gordon Hall fundraiser at the Fillmore of Dexter was a great success, earning over $15,000 to support the continued restoration of Gordon Hall! |
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Coley O’Brien and his Fillmore staff prepared 119 carryout dinners which were then served by costumed DAHS volunteers. Jan Lyons graciously designed a stunning Fall display to greet supporters as they arrived for their carryout dinners.
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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 Fillmore Bar & Grill
7954 Ann Arbor Street Dexter, Michigan 48130 |
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BATS IN THE BELFRY CAMPAIGN A HUGE SUCCESS!
We are so excited to announce that we raised almost $25,000 from over 100 donors to fix the church belfry and paint the outside of the Dexter Historical Museum. Thank you to all donors for your fantastic support. Donors of $50 or more received a hand-made facemask with a bat design to commemorate their involvement in this amazing campaign. Dexter history never looked better than with a fresh coat of paint! Picture caption: Bev Hill-DAHS President, Ceci Riecker-Batty Campaign Chair, and Caryl Burke-Mask Creator Extraordinaire, show off the newly painted Museum and Belfry. Look closely at the bat fabric on the masks! |
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Fall Dinner 2019
Our September 21st fundraising dinner sponsored by St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Chelsea was well attended by many generous supporters of Gordon Hall and we earned over $37,000 . Our sincere thank you to Nancy Graebner, CEO and the staff of the hospital as well as the generous event sponsors, donors and attendees! The Gordon Hall restoration moves forward with your wonderful support! |
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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
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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. |
