The beauty of a classic painting and the sleek lines of a well-designed car have a lot in common. History and art go hand in hand in Michigan, and several venues do right with irrepressible Detroit style.
If this is Detroit, there must be an Automotive Hall of Fame (313.240.4000; www.automotivehalloffame.org). The Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn records the stories of the sweat, blood and tears that went into the globe-changing industry of making and designing cars. Exhibits, artifacts and, of course, automobiles are on display to educate and inspire visitors. The exhibits span the centuries, from a Leonardo da Vinci-inspired transportation device guests can operate to the gallery dedicated to Detroit and the Ford family. The facility has several group spaces, including a conference room hosting 35 and the Soichiro Honda atrium, which can accommodate up to 400 for a reception.
With so much engineering history, it’s gratifying to know that Detroit has an artistic soul, too. The Detroit Institute of the Arts (313.833.7900; www.dia.org) is noted as one of the top 10 museums in the country, with more than 60,000 works in 100 galleries. Rembrandt, Matisse and Van Gogh are represented here, as well as contemporary and historic work displayed in numerous cultural collections, from Islamic art to African-American pieces. The facility offers a 1,000-seat theater as well as boardrooms and galleries for receptions or banquets. Tours and lecturers are also available upon request, and catering is onsite.
The grand Fox Theatre (313.471.3200; www.olympiaentertainment.com), built in 1928, has a detailed and ornate interior and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It showcases some of the biggest names in show business. At full capacity, the theater can hold 4,800 guests, and the facility also offers four meeting rooms. The Grand Lobby can host banquets for up to 240 or receptions for up to 600.
The Henry Ford (313.982.6001; www.thehenryford.org) ends up on many “best venue” lists and with good reason. The complex offers a stunning amount of history for attendees to enjoy, plus several venues for receptions, meetings and events. Highlights of the Henry Ford Museum include a collection of Presidential limos, including the one that carried President John F. Kennedy on that fateful November day in Dallas, the bus where Rosa Parks took a stand by sitting down and a replica of the Wright Flyer. The Museum Plaza can accommodate 700 banquet-style or up to 5,000 for a strolling reception. For a smaller space, try the Eagle Tavern in Greenfield Village. Attendees can soak up 19th century atmosphere, and the tavern can provide historic menu selections or a modern dinner. The tavern can accommodate up to 180.
