Dearborn Historical Museum, Commandant’s Quarters

I’m really interested in history but surprisingly have not made it out here until today. There was a volunteer that gave us a detailed explanation about the history of the building. I really like that our community is invested in the historical museum and that you get an informed guide to tell you about the building. I close my eyes and feel transported back in time.

I have been to historical museums I like better, and this one has competition with the Henry Ford Estate and Greenfield Village being so close by. Still, it’s an interesting part of the history of southeast Michigan, specifically military history.
The grounds are pretty, and parking is easy here, since there’s a metered city lot right behind it. I was there around 11 a.m. on a weekday, and while you do have to put quarters in the meter, there wasn’t any trouble finding a spot.
I did have the frustrating experience of having to stop by several times before it opened. I arrived a little early and was told to come back at 11 a.m. I came back at 11 a.m., and the door was still closed. I figured maybe my watch was running fast so I took a walk around the grounds and came back, but realized that time was running out on the meter and I was going to have to put more money in. It was a good thing I remembered, too, because a City of Dearborn truck came through to check the meters as my last minute ran out.
The building is one of several built in the 1830s as arsenals around the area. The building was the commandant’s home, but it was part of a larger walled complex at one time. Now, it’s right in the heart of downtown Dearborn on Michigan Ave., mixed in with restaurants and record stores.