Michigan Depression Glass Show

Southeastern Michigan has two Depression Glass organizations - The Michigan Depression Glass Society, and the Great Lakes Depression Glass Club.   The Michigan group has their annual show in November, and the Great Lakes Club has their's in the spring.

In 2012 I went to both shows and blogged about them here, but I didn't attend either in 2013.

~ Postcard I received promoting this year's show. ~

I returned to the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn, MI last Saturday for Michigan Depression Glass Society's 42nd annual show and sale. Vendors come with their glassware from all across the United States. What prompted me to attend this year was the Society's recognition of six different Detroit businesses located on Woodward Avenue [the heart of downtown]. Only two of the businesses exist today under different ownership, and in different locations - Sander's and Vernor's.

 ~ Hat and hat box from Hudson's Woodward Shop ~

~ A Hudson's Advertisement ~

Sanders Chocolates was first opened by Fred Sanders in 1875.  In 2002 Morley Candy Makers purchased the Sanders name and original recipes.  Morley's is another Michigan based company founded in 1919.

Vernor's is a ginger flavored soft drink, and the oldest surviving ginger ale brand in the United States.  It was created in 1880 by James Vernor, a Detroit pharmacist.  Vernor's is currently owned and manufactured by Dr. Pepper Snapple Group of Plano, TX

I loved the Lipton Tea dispenser pictured below, but it wasn't for sale. The vignettes were such a nostalgic and fun way to display vintage glassware and memorabilia of yesteryear.

Two of downtown Detroit's  dime stores were Woolworth's and Kresge's.  They were located directly across the street from J.L. Hudson's Department Store.   

Below is a photo I had taken in the "photo booth" at Kresge's Woodward store.  I was a Junior or Senior in high school on a downtown Detroit shopping trip with my girlfriend. Kresge's water colored the photo for a fee, but I don't remember what it was. Those were the days!  ;-)

Ernst Kern Department Store was across the street from Hudson's at Woodward and Gratiot. Detroit shoppers used to meet under Kern's clock.  The store closed in 1959, and the structure was torn down in the 1960's as part of urban renewal.  The clock, however, was saved and now sits at the corner of Woodward and Gratiot.

[Internet Photo]

The glass show opened at 10:00 a.m., and I got there around 10:30 a.m.  It doesn't look very crowded in my photos, but it was very well attended.

Lots of beautiful Depression Glass.  Believe it or not, I didn't purchase a single piece, but it was well worth the $5 entrance fee to see all of it.

The display below was near an entrance of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center advertising an upcoming art event.  A drawing was to take place for the winner to have tea with one of the artists, so  I had to take a picture of the display!  ;-)

When we finished looking at the Depression Glass displays, my girlfriend and I drove a short distance to the Dearborn Inn for lunch - the same place where the American Girl fashion show and tea was held a week ago - only no ball room this time. We ate in Edison's Restaurant. [Henry Ford and Thomas Edison were good friends.]

By the time we finished our lunch and visiting, the restaurant had pretty much emptied out so I was able to take photos.

Henry Ford had the Dearborn Inn built in 1931, so there are photos of him, Clara [his wife], and some of his friends displayed throughout the hotel lobby, hallways and restaurant.

Close-up of the photo above where Henry is carving Clara's and his initials on a tree trunk.

My girlfriend and I made it easy on our waitress by ordering the same thing... A pot of tea [Tetley's black], a cup of soup du jour [split pea], and a half Reuben sandwich.  It was a delicious lunch in a classy restaurant!

Another enjoyable Saturday afternoon in Dearborn, Michigan!