Now in its fourteenth year, History Detectives continues to offer up-to-date history from independent researchers and academic historians to popular audiences —virtually, when necessary.
Started in 2008 by Christine Byron and Marcie Beck, then staff members of the Grand Rapids History Center at the Grand Rapids Public Library, History Detectives quickly grew from an afternoon of three programs featuring the research projects of local historians to a day-long event created in collaboration with local groups with a history of working together. On wintry January days, six speakers would present to a full house on topics varying from Michigan tourism to women’s history and from African American barber shops to urban renewal.
