History Hounds® Lecture Series | Historical Society of Michigan

"Sniff out" the past with History Hounds

Enjoy learning about Michigan history in a casual setting? Our lectures are for you!

Join us for our weekly History Hounds presentations and discover more of Michigan's history. From the Underground Railroad to shipwrecks, our diverse offering of lectures are a popular event for our members and community. You can find a schedule of upcoming topics and speakers below.

or call us at (800) 692-1828

A Benefit of Membership

Did you know that all of our History Hounds lectures are free with an HSM membership? With new lectures every week on unique topics each year, our program is a popular reason for many to choose membership over single lecture sign-ups. Register for any—or all!—for free and peruse our online library of older, pre-recorded lectures at any time on our website.

Learn More About Membership

Upcoming Lectures

NOTE: Registration for each History Hounds event closes 3 hours prior to the event time—9 a.m. ET for Tuesday midday lectures and 4 p.m. ET for Wednesday evening lectures.

Registrations completed after those times will not be processed in time for live viewing of the event.

Events

Safe Passage for Michigan Metals: The Marquette Harbor Lighthouse

Tue, Apr 25 2023, 12 - 1pm

Virtual

Marquette was the premier iron port on Lake Superior after iron ore was discovered in the area in 1844. In 1853, a stone lighthouse tower and cottage were completed to provide a reliable light for the bustling port. After the structures deteriorated, a new story-and-a-half “schoolhouse” lighthouse was completed in 1866. Today, the Marquette Harbor Lighthouse still stands as a beacon to the city’s mining and shipping past.

Let's Go Fishing!: Fish Tales from the North Woods

Wed, May 3 2023, 7 - 8pm

Virtual

For centuries, fishing has figured heavily into our spiritual and cultural lore—to say nothing of our cuisine. Nowhere is this truer, perhaps, than in Michigan and the great north woods. Join author and speaker Eric Dregni to explore everything from angling heroics to solitary pleasures, small-town festivals to sport-fishing meccas, throughout the Great Lakes region.

Diabolical Arts and Daily Life in Seventeenth-Century New France

Tue, May 9 2023, 12 - 1pm

Virtual

What can we learn about history from studying beliefs related to witches and demons? Join our presenter to hear about her journey from the shore of the St. Lawrence River to the Vatican archives and the stories that provide insight into the everyday experiences and deep anxieties of colonists in New France.

E.K. Warren: Father of Featherbone

Wed, May 17 2023, 7 - 8pm

Virtual

Edward Kirk Warren, a merchant in the small village of Three Oaks, had an idea for a product that became all the rage in women’s fashion of the 1880s and 1890s. “Featherbone”—used to structure corsets—made Warren a huge fortune and briefly made Three Oaks a boomtown. Warren used his clout to ban liquor and promote patriotism, helping Three Oaks win a nationwide contest for a souvenir from the Spanish-American War.

A magnifying glass hovering over the text "History Hounds"

Looking for recordings of past lectures?

HSM members can access past lectures on demand! You must be logged in with an active membership to view past recordings of History Hounds and all your other benefits.

Watch Recorded Lectures

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Schedule

Programs alternate each week between Wednesday evenings (7 p.m. Eastern) and Tuesday afternoons (12 p.m. Eastern) and last for approximately one hour. All programs will be virtual until further notice. Browse upcoming lectures below, and sign up today!

Details

History Hounds is FREE for HSM members – both individuals and organizations
Nonmembers can attend for $7 per event
Instructions for joining the virtual program will be sent to registered attendees one day prior to the scheduled lecture
Attendees who sign up the same day as the event can find the instructions for joining on the event listing after completing registration

Hank Meijer presenting a History Hounds lecture

Get the most out of Michigan's history

If you're considering attending one of our History Hounds lectures, or have participated in a previous one, we encourage you to check out our HSM membership program. ALL of our History Hounds lectures are free with an HSM membership—and you'll be able to re-watch or catch up on missed lectures at your leisure using your online account.

The membership is a great way to save and enjoy all of our additional history content. All HSM members receive event discounts, free access to weekly History Hounds® live lectures and previously recorded lectures, both Michigan History and Chronicle magazines, and more.

Explore Our Memberships

Questions?

We'd love to help! Reach out to our HSM staff today at hsm@hsmichigan.org or by calling us at (517) 324-1828.