Detroit Historical Museum celebrates grand re-opening

Detroit's past has a brighter future with the grand re-opening of the Detroit Historical Museum.

A grand re-opening gala was held Saturday night at the museum, in Detroit's cultural center.

Guests toured expanded and new exhibits, ranging from an expanded presentation of Detroit's vital role in the underground railroad to the Kid Rock music gallery, celebrating generations of music linked to Detroit.

 The long-time favorite exhibit of the streets of old Detroit remains and is enhanced with new items like the bright blue neon sign that stood atop the roof of old Tiger Stadium.

Many of the new exhibits are interactive.

  Museum executive director Bob Bury expressed pride in the $12 million overhaul.

"This night is really the culmination of ten years of planning and fundraising and finding the best way to tell Detroit's history, linking it to the future," Bury said.

Despite the expense of the renovations, admission to the Detroit Historical Museum will be free.

The museum reopens to the public the day after Thanksgiving.