The Detroit Historical Museum
Monday, October 5, 2009 at 2:25PM
Becks Davis in Becks Davis, Detroit, Detroit Moxie, detroit historical museum, events in detroit, sanders, stroh's, things to do in Detroit, tiger stadium, vernors

We Hope for Better Things...It Shall Arise from the Ashes

The Detroit Historical Museum

One of the first exhibits you see when you walk into the Detroit Historical Museum is "Detroit’s Official Symbols." The flag of Detroit and the official Seal of Detroit are displayed. The seal pays tribute to the fire of 1805 that burnt Detroit to the ground. The seal reads, “We hope for better things…It shall arise from the ashes.” 

From the Detroit Historical Museum website:

“The seal shows two women.  The woman on the left represents Detroit at the time of the fire.  She is weeping. The woman on the right, who is comforting her, represents hope and the future.  The background scene shows the city in flames on the left.  On the right, a new and brighter city is shown.  On the sides are Latin words which translated into English read “We Hope for Better Things…It Shall Arise from the Ashes.” This motto captures the real spirit of Detroit – one that meets challenges and evokes images of Detroiters working and building together.”

The motto, though adopted in 1827, is as relevant today as it was then. I will not be that woman weeping. I choose to be the woman looking to the brighter city, hopeful of what may arise from the ashes.

Next to this exhibit is the "Fabulous 5: Detroit’s Snack Food Superstars." This features Better Made Snack Food Company, Sanders Confectionery, Stroh’s Products, Vernor’s Ginger Ale, and the Germack Pistachio Company. Frank Germack, Sr. added red vegetable dye to the pistachio’s to attract customers and hide imperfections.

I loved this exhibit but I’m not sure about the gift shop selling Better Made potato chips. People were walking around the museum with open bags of chips, chomping away. It just seemed wrong.

Other noteworthy exhibits:

Motor City Exhibit

We had a great day out and learned quite a bit about Detroit. We went on a free weekend but you have until October 24 to use your Museum Adventure Pass for free entry.

Since the Detroit Tigers have a big game tomorrow, I’ll leave you with one of the Detroit Trivia questions from the exhibit:

Tiger Stadium went by 3 other names. What are they?

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