Detroit museums to ask Wayne, Oakland voters to back 10-year millage

August 18, 2026

The Detroit Historical Society and Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History have joined forces to request voter approval for a 10-year property tax increase in Wayne and Oakland counties during the November 3rd election. The proposed 0.

Who is affected

Residents and property owners in Wayne and Oakland counties (who would pay the tax and receive benefits)
Detroit Historical Society and Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History (institutions seeking funding)
Students and seniors (who would receive free transportation)
Teachers (who would receive new curriculum and training)
Museum members and small children (who currently receive free admission)
Families throughout communities including Detroit, Redford, Pontiac, and Birmingham

What action is being taken

The "Yes to Our Story" campaign was launched on Tuesday
Both museums are promoting the millage through social media, billboards, and canvassing over the next three months
The Detroit Historical Society and Wright Museum are running deficit budgets
The Wright Museum is using lines of credit and operating reserves to maintain contracted programs
The Historical Society's revenue is growing through paid memberships

Why it matters

This millage represents a critical lifeline for two significant cultural institutions that have operated for decades without financial stability—the Wright Museum (founded 1965) is the second-largest African American museum in the country, while the Historical Society (founded 1921) preserves metro Detroit's history through over 300,000 collective artifacts. The proposal would democratize access to history by eliminating admission barriers and ensuring that no family is "priced out of knowing and celebrating their own history." Without this funding, both museums face uncertain futures and potential closures, as they cannot continue operating with deficit budgets and diminished reserves, which would represent a significant loss to regional cultural preservation and education.

What's next

The millage will appear on the November 3rd ballot for Wayne and Oakland county voters
The museums will conduct a "quick and furious campaign" over the next three months to promote voter support
If the millage fails, museum leadership will need to make "tough decisions" about operations, though specific plans are not detailed

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com