Michigan Central Station Releases Details of OPEN House Exhibitions, Entertainment, Arts, and more
From June 7-16, OPEN House invites ticketed visitors to tour the landmark’s revitalized ground floor for first time after extensive six-year renovation This weekend to feature outdoor performances from local musicians; Station to reopen after initial celebrations on Friday and Saturdays throughout the summer starting June 21
DETROIT, June 7, 2024 — Today, Michigan Central Station officially reopens its doors to the public for the first time in nearly four decades following an extensive six-year restoration by Ford Motor Company. Over the next 10 days, more than 60,000 people are expected to participate in reopening festivities for the iconic landmark, which were kicked off last night with an outdoor spectacular in Roosevelt Park that featured an electrifying lineup of Detroit icons.
Starting today through June 16, OPEN House invites ticketed visitors to tour The Station’s revitalized ground floor before the building’s first commercial occupants begin moving in this fall. It will feature a range of exhibits, entertainment, art, and more that immerse visitors in The Station’s history, restoration, and next chapter. Activations include:
The MC Cube, A Dynamic Film Experience: Inside the Historic Women’s Waiting Room, visitors will experience a 15’ x 15’ cubed LED installation that tells the journey of Michigan Central Station: history, restoration and the next chapter.
The Story of The Station: A 1,000-foot sculptural timeline of shared moments of triumph, adversity, innovation, and resilience that flows down the center of Grand Hall.
Faces of Michigan Central, A Portrait Gallery: Millions of people have a connection to The Station and Michigan Central district. Faces of Michigan Central shares the stories of just a small handful of them.
What’s Your Station Story?: In the Historic Reading Room, visitors will be invited to recount their own personal memories, stories, and hopes for The Station in an intimate testimonial space, as well as hear the stories of those whose lives The Station has touched.
Open Archive, Resurrecting a Landmark: Open Archive is a collection of behind-the-scenes photographs, artifacts, and unexpected treasures that offer a glimpse into Ford’s daunting undertaking: restoring the deteriorated and decayed Station.
Poster Vault, A Visual Trip Through Culture: Accompanied by a soundtrack of songs forever linked to Detroit, visitors can explore walls covered with surprising artifacts that pays homage to the rich visual history surrounding The Station and our city.
Windows into The Station's Future: Take a stroll through the Historic Arcade to get a sneak peek at what else is coming soon to Michigan Central.
me + you, Interactive AI and Light Sculpture: A critically acclaimed interactive sculpture by Suchi Reddy that allows visitors to interact with the piece in The Station’s South Concourse. Visitors can speak a single-word representing their vision of the future, and open-source AI technology will express their word back in a unique pattern of light and color that shimmers across the structure, like a mandala, unique to each visitor.
The Kids’ Zone: At The Kids’ Zone, people of all ages can grab a complimentary “color-your-own” poster to express their unique vision of The Station, enjoy an interactive scavenger hunt full of secrets to discover throughout the space, and check out an incredible model of The Station crafted out of LEGO®.
From June 7-9, visitors can also enjoy music and local entertainment next door on the front lawn of Newlab at Michigan Central (the former Book Depository building). Programmed by Urban Arts Orchestra's De'Sean Jones and Theo Parrish the founder of Sound Signature, the weekend’s outdoor events will showcase Detroit’s diverse voices, as well offer opportunities to hear about exciting programming at Michigan Central and to purchase food, drinks, and commemorative souvenirs.
Registration is required and now closed for OPEN House. OPEN House hours times vary daily:
JUNE 7: 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
JUNE 8: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
JUNE 9: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
JUNE 11 - 13: 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
JUNE 14 - 15: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
JUNE 16: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Registration is not required to take part in the outdoor experience. Performance hours will vary daily:
JUNE 7: 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- Programmed by Urban Arts Orchestra’s De’Sean Jones and featuring Charity and Dames Brown.
JUNE 8: 10 AM - 10 PM
- Programmed by Theo Parrish of Sound Signature and featuring Scott Z and Yukiko, Ideeyah and Meftah, Thomas Shui, and a combined DJ set with Who Dat, Spector, Howard Thomas, and Theo Parrish with Duminie.
JUNE 9: 10 AM - 6 PM
- Pride programming featuring Isis Damil, India Solomon live, Ahya Simone, Ben Sharkey, Queen Gabby n House of Jit, Kesswa x Nova Zai, and Silly Girl Carmen
Summer at The Station
After OPEN wraps up on June 16, Michigan Central will begin a phased reactivation of The Station over the next several months and years as restaurant, retail, and other commercial and community-focused partners take up residency. From June 21 to August 31, the first floor will be open for Summer at the Station, allowing visitors to take self-guided tours from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, with food and beverage also available to enjoy outside of The Station. Note that tickets are not needed for the Summer at the Station experience.
Expanded hours will be announced for fall, when the first phase of commercial activations opens to the public.
The revitalized Michigan Central Station is a reminder of our city’s shared history and how it endures as a symbol of Detroit as a destination for opportunity. For more information on The Station’s incredible history, restoration and next chapter see: https://michigancentral.com/a-new-beginning-ford-to-reopen-michigan-central-station-after-multi-year-historic-restoration/.
