When the Detroit Historical Society throws a party, it does not settle for streamers and a DJ. This April, it is rolling out feather boas, big band swing, and a century-old cathedral of Aztec tilework for its annual Society Ball, themed “Gatsby at the Guardian.”
The event, set for April 18 at the Guardian Building in downtown Detroit, draws inspiration from the excess and elegance of the 1920s - and organizers say the venue could not be more fitting.
“It was built in 1929. It’s almost 100 years old, right at the height of the Roaring ’20s,” said Rebecca Salminen Witt, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer for the Detroit Historical Society. The Guardian Building, once home to a bank that would not survive the Great Crash, remains one of the city’s crown jewels - a point Salminen Witt is happy to make.
“Detroit is really blessed with some amazing architecture,” she said, citing the Fisher Building, the Detroit Institute of Arts, and the main branch of the public library as fellow survivors of the same gilded era.
The ball is more than a costume party. Salminen Witt describes it as an immersive experience, one where history is not just observed but felt. “The Society Ball gives you an opportunity not only to support, to learn about history, but actually to live it a little bit,” she said. This year, the society partnered again with Productions Plus to bring period-authentic fashion to life, with models showcasing the evening’s dress code alongside a Wayne County history exhibition displayed on the Guardian’s promenade.
And what is the dress code? Salminen Witt has clear advice for guests raiding their own closets. For women, she recommends reaching for the pearls. “If you’ve got fringe, wear fringe,” she said. “Bring out the feathers, friends.” For men, she points to pinstripes and three-piece suits, calling the era the apex of men’s fashion.
But the evening serves a purpose beyond the spectacle. The Detroit Historical Society holds 300,000 artifacts in its collection, and events like the Society Ball fund the ongoing work of preserving them. “We keep this history alive,” Salminen Witt said. “This is your history. This is all of our history.” The goal, she said, is straightforward: “It’s a way really to preserve the history for our next 100 years.”
Salminen Witt said the society is still welcoming attendees for the Speakeasy after-party, which begins at 8 p.m. and features swing dancing and a live big band. Tickets are $100 and available at detroithistorical.org.
As for the ball itself, Salminen Witt summed up the ambition simply: they wanted to do it up “in the way that only the Detroit Historical Society can.”
To watch the segment, click on the video above.