Detroit Historical Society Budget Hearing - March 11, 2026

The Detroit City Council held a budget hearing for the Detroit Historical Society (DHS) on March 11, 2026. DHS President/CEO Ilana Rue, CFO Steve Zerio, and Education Director Rodney presented the society's fiscal year 2027 budget request, highlighting recent achievements, ongoing challenges, and critical capital needs. The society requested $2 million in operating support (continuation of the previous year's allocation) and $1.5 million in new capital dollars to protect city-owned buildings and the collection.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Betty A. Varner (President, Soda Ellsworth Black Association) advocated for walk-in showers for seniors and people with disabilities, expressing frustration that a list she helped create three years ago was not notified when such showers were added to a home repair program.
• A concerned citizen complained that a senior citizen shopping at Myers was told she could not bring her grocery cart into the Jason Hargrove Transit Center while waiting for the bus, and asked for a resolution.
• William M. Davis criticized the Detroit Port Authority for underutilization compared to other cities, and also faulted the DHS presentation for lacking a slideshow, urging the society to seek more state funding, including for the museum on Belle Isle.
• James V Frog Tate Jr. (Black Dag Root) claimed a woman did not shoot herself and referenced DPD case 20-11112, calling on Councilmember Callaway.
• An unnamed caller appreciated Callaway's promotion suggestions, offered to share historical papers from his building dating to 1967, and discussed water runoff issues.
• Carolyn Hughes asked whether the Port Authority partners with ROTC and suggested DHS should have a direct relationship with DPSCD and create programming for District 7 since it has no recreation center.
• Kamu Jawara (a DHS member) suggested more adult field trips to exhibits, pop-up membership sales at festivals and sporting events, and tagging memberships to large-scale events like Movement Festival.

Discussion Items

• Presentation by Detroit Historical Society: Ilana Rue reviewed the past year's accomplishments: over 20 new or refreshed exhibits, 1,660 new artifacts added to the collection, membership growth of 32% (over 5,000 paid active members, the best in 11 years), and education outreach reaching 15,000 students from DPSCD and surrounding districts. The society operates two museums and the Collections Resource Center (CRC) with 47 full-time and 31 part-time staff; 24 are Detroit residents. Rue noted the stalled millage (bills passed both chambers but trapped in a lawsuit between the House and Senate) and loss of $350,000 in federal funding from IMLS and NEH. Without a millage, the society may face workforce reductions. Steve Zerio detailed top capital priorities: renovating the carriage house design studio (asbestos abatement, HVAC, lighting), updating the Detroit 67 exhibit (electronics failing after 10+ years), building a sensory quiet room, making employee bathrooms ADA-compliant, and general building repairs (HVAC, elevators, security). Future needs include generator for Dawson Museum and electrical upgrades at CRC.
• Councilmember Miller: Expressed excitement to join the board in May, apologized for the millage delay due to a typo, and offered to advocate in Lansing. She emphasized raising awareness among Detroit adults.
• Councilmember Santiago Romero: Asked about collaboration with the Historic Designation Advisory Board and suggested a joint event. Rue agreed to explore. Romero also inquired about after-school and summer youth programming; Rodney noted Camp Detroit (week-long for grades 3-5) but financial and transportation barriers. Romero proposed a closing resolution for youth programming with the museums.
• Councilmember Johnson: Praised school outreach and asked about placing artifacts in schools. Rue offered to pilot in District 4. Johnson also asked about the $250,000 deficit; Rue explained it is covered by reserves and an unexpected bequest, and the board approved a deficit budget while working toward the millage. Johnson motioned (passed) for tracking Detroit employment.
• Councilmember McCampbell: Suggested deeper partnerships with places like Rouge Park for pop-up history and asked about Detroit resident employment (24 of 78 staff). He urged increasing that number, especially for neurodivergent students via schools like Drew Transitional. Motion passed to track and increase Detroit employment.
• Councilmember Young: Asked about AI implementation; Rue said it is a future consideration post-millage and requested more info. Young also asked about partnerships with Fort Wayne and Native American history. A motion passed to place Fort Wayne relationship in executive session. (Motion made by Waters, via Young.)
• Councilmember Benson: Noted the city's 4x increase in investment since FY2019 and stressed the importance of the millage to sustain the institution. He made two motions, both passed: encourage placement of DHS artifacts in city council offices, and reinforce council's support for the regional millage.
• Councilmember Callaway: Reflected on a tour of the CRC and contrasted the Henry Ford Museum's popularity with DHS's lower foot traffic. She suggested better promotion, interactive displays (e.g., a car on a revolving platform outside), and fixing a mislabeled photo of Marvin Gaye. She also raised concern about a Christopher Columbus bust that was moved to a banquet hall in Livonia during COVID without a clear agreement, and asked GSD about its return. She offered to share ideas and connections with Spelman College arts center.

Key Outcomes

• Motion passed (Santiago Romero) to create a closing resolution for youth programming with the museums.
• Motion passed (McCampbell) to track and increase Detroit resident employment at DHS.
• Motion passed (Young) to build relationship between DHS and city media services department for archiving digital records.
• Motion passed (Waters, via Young) to include Fort Wayne relationship in executive session.
• Motion passed (Benson) to encourage placement of DHS artifacts in council offices and the 13th floor.
• Motion passed (Benson) to reinforce city council's support for the regional cultural millage.
• Motion passed (Miller) to move the $3.2 million funding request (operating and capital) to executive session for further deliberation.

The council recessed at approximately 1:30 PM and reconvened at 2:30 PM for continued discussion.