The War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms is Metro Detroit’s gathering place — we’re a legacy-filled institution, driven by an energetic determination to emerge as a regional driver of the arts, culture, hospitality, learning, connectivity, and patriotism.
Situated on the breathtaking lakefront grounds of the historic 1910 Alger Estate, The War Memorial serves around 200,000 individuals with 2,000 functions annually, including programs to honor veterans, engagement experiences for adults and children, community events, celebrations — and premier culinary, libations, and hospitality services. We are a unique, dynamic, and forward-thinking hub for southeast Michigan with a mission to be a patriotic, cultural, and community leader.
The War Memorial has a strong commitment to arts and culture, and we have various lines of programming that support this: Arts at the Alger, for instance, is our premiere performing arts series, through which we partner and collaborate with such names as Detroit Public Theatre, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Michigan Opera Theatre, and the Detroit Institute of Arts. Our speakers series, This Americana, has presented influential voices such as Dr. Cornel West and Glennon Doyle Melton. We’ll soon welcome to our stage renowned social ethicist Dr. Gary Dorrien; later in the season, Major Mary Jennings Hegar, author of Shoot Like a Girl, will join us to discuss her book, which is being turned into a major motion picture starring Angelina Jolie.
Our series of food and drink events, EAT (which stands for Engage, Aspire, Taste), brings together leading culinary artists from both Metro Detroit and afar, showcasing the crème de la crème of culinary masterpieces, wine, and spirits. We’ve been privileged to partner with EdibleWOW magazine for our 2017–2018 season, which runs through June and features upcoming events with Brut Detroit, Social Sushi, Bell’s Brewery, Detroit City Distillery, The Wine Counselor, as well as exciting and highly worthy guest chefs. Our EAT programming ranges from special classes to tasting events to one very special night featuring a wine-themed magic show. While The War Memorial has always offered opportunities for guests to enjoy fine food and drink, EAT has allowed us to set the bar higher, curating engaging, unique experiences that bring our visitors even further into the world of cooking, wine, spirits — and socializing.
At The War Memorial, we truly believe we’re an experiential space unlike any other in Michigan, where art and music live, where laughter and love are shared, where memories are made, and where the community and its leaders connect. And we hope you’ll visit us soon!
By Brooks Hoste, Senior Director of Community Engagement