Committed to Preserving Our Past

-Genesee county Historical Society

Upcoming Events

"From Jim Crow to CEO"
An intimate interview with
​Willie E. Artis, industrialist
Limited seating
​​Thursday, March 5, 2020
​7:00-8:30 p.m.

If anyone doubts that the American Dream is alive and well, they should check in with Willie Artis. He's a walking, talking, living embodiment of that Dream--and it's realization. 

Coming from the Jim Crow South, to the North, was a journey of overcoming obstacles, going over, around, and sometimes directly through distractions and walls. His single-minded focus, that "anyone can make it in America,” is an inspiration and instruction manual. 

An absolutely riveting story of success, that was created right here, in Flint, Michigan!

Please RSVP to (810) 410-4605
Limited space
Free event
Public welcome
​
Durant-Dort Carriage Company Headquarters
316 W. Water Street
Flint, MI  48503
​
Click to learn more...

Stay Tuned for details...

Sam thompson
head of security for Elvis Presley
​April 8, 2020
​Stay Tuned for Time and Location!
Public Welcome

Annual Heritage Dinner
special Guest:
Ed Renehan, Author of
"The Life of Charles Stewart Mott: Industrialist, Philanthropist, Mr. Flint"
May 21, 2020
For Members
​Stay Tuned for Time, Location and Ticket Price!

A Few Highlights of our programs

Annual Heritage Dinner
​GUEST Speaker:
​Rad Jones, retired Special Agent

A fascinating presentation, and members were able to ask "up close and personal" questions.  One of a kind opportunity.

​Mr. Jones, a retired Special Agent in charge of the Michigan U.S. Secret Service, presented an intriguing look into the Secret Service, and his experiences while protecting six Presidents and foreign heads of state.

Rad, a 1962 graduate of Michigan State University, joined the Secret Service under President Kennedy.  His service spanned six presidencies, assigned to Presidential, Vice Presidential, and foreign dignitary details.

Back to the Bricks

This year, we were crazy busy at the Durant-Dort Carriage Company Headquarters with visitors touring the building all day.  The time flew by as we greeted folks and answered questions.  It was a fun day!

The 2019 Buicks on the Bricks, a part of the Back to  the Bricks celebration, was another resounding success!  Buicks are displayed in front of the Durant-Dort Carriage Company Headquarters, and line all down Water Street.  Tours and video and live presentations at the Durant-Dort Carriage Factory Headquarters were available to the public throughout the event.

boys under the hood

As always, it was a full room during the truly riveting telling of "Boys Under the Hood", the true story of Flint's Auto heritage presented by Gary L. Fisher, during the Back to the Bricks celebration.  The presentation links the past to the present, showing how relevant history is to today's current events.  

​After the program, visitors stayed to ask questions, which Gary happily answered, providing even more insight and stories about Flint and the early founders of General Motors.

Past Events:

February 22, 2029:  From Mexico to Michigan
Presenter:  Bailey Ramirez, Director GCHS
Location:  Food Bank of Eastern Michigan

January 30, 2019:  From Sit-down to Shutdown:  The 84-Year War Between General Motors and the UAW
Presenter:  Gary L. Fisher, VP of the GCHS 
Location:  U of M-Flint, Frances Willson Thompson Library

December 11, 2019:  Annual Christmas Open House at the Durant-Dort Carriage Company

November 21, 2019:  The 16th Michigan Infantry in the Civil War
Presenter:  Author, Kim Crawford
Location:  Durant-Dort Carriage Co. Headquarters

October 23rd:  Architecture of Death
Presenter:  Architect, Ron Campbell
Location:  Durant-Dort Carriage Co. Headquarters

October 18th:  Haunted History Tour
In conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce

October 23rd:  Preservation Workshop, Stone Masonry
Location:  Whaley House

September:  Mid-Century Modern Tour
Location:  Durant-Dort Carriage Co. Headquarters, then tour of private homes

August 17, 2019:  Buicks on the Bricks (Part of Back to the Bricks)
Durant-Dort Carriage Company Headquarters Tour
Boys Under the Hood Presentation:  Gary L. Fisher, VP GCHS
Location:  Durant-Dort Carriage Co. Headquarters

July 13, 2019:  Be a Tourist in Your Own Town; Mid-Century Modern Survey 1940-70
In conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce
Presenter:  Elaine Robinson
Location:  Durant-Dort Carriage Co. Headquarters

June 26, 2019:  Genesee County Historical Society Annual Heritage Dinner
Presenter:  Rad Jones: Retired Secret Service Agent for Six Presidents
Location:  Durant-Dort Carriage Co. Headquarters

March 21, 2019:  Lecture on the Saginaw Trail
Presenter:  Leslie K. Pielack, author of "The Saginaw Trail: From Native American Path to Woodward Avenue"
Location:  Durant-Dort Carriage Co. Headquarters

February 28, 2019:  Sloan Museum Renovation Presentation
Presenter:  Todd Slisher, Sloan Museum Director
Location:  Durant-Dort Carriage Co. Headquarters

January 30, 2019:  Book Signings and Discussions on Billy Durant, David Buick, and Jacob Smith
Lawrence R. Gustin, author of "Billy Durant: Creator of General Motors", "David Buick's Marvelous Motorcar"
Kim Crawford, author of "The Daring Trader"
Location:  Totem Books

August 16-18, 2018:  Back to the Bricks Tours
"The Boys Under the Hood" Presentation
Presenter:  Gary L. Fisher
Location:  Durant-Dort Carriage Co. Headquarters

May 5, 2018:  Annual Preservation Workshop
Location - Durant-Dort Carriage Co. Headquarters

APR 19, 2018:  Lecture on Flint UAW Sit Down Strike
Location: Durant-Dort Carriage Co. Headquarters

OCT 2, 2017:  Window Restoration Workshop
Location: Durant-Dort Carriage Co. Headquarters

NOV 5, 2017:  Preservation Workshop
Location; Durant-Dort Carriage Co. Headquarters

SEP 21, 2017: Genesee County Historical Bus Tour
Location:  Genesee County Historical Society

MAY 10, 2017:  Genesee Country Historical Society Heritage Dinner
Location:  Flint Institute of Music 

APR 19, 2017:  David Buick's Marvelous Motorcar

MAR 15, 2017:  Women and Their Bright Ideas
Location: Kettering University

FEB 16, 2017:  Floating Vengeance: The World War II Japanese Balloon Attack on Michigan
Location:  Mott Community College - RTC

JAN 19, 2017:  The Flint Symphony Orchestra: 90 Years of Music  

OCT 6, 2016:  The Year of the Bray
Location:  Flint Institute of Arts

MAY 26, 2016:  Genesee County Historical Society Heritage Dinner