mansions in michigan to tour

History, Culture, & Architecture

Absorb the beauty of architecture & history as we tour historic homes of Grand Rapids. Prestigious homes from mid-1800s to early 1900s are meticulously restored in the legally protected Heritage Hill . These designs reflect the individuality of their pioneer owners , who built each one to their own unique tastes. Among its 1,300 homes dating from 1843, more than 60 architectural styles show in its Richardsonian Romanesque stone arches, Juliette balconies on Eastlake Victorians, Greek Revival, Prairie and what’s considered the most authentic Frank Lloyd Wright designed building in existence . Inquire now (opens in a new tab) to arrange your walking, driving or Virtual Historic Home Tour.

Homes of 1800s & 1900s upper crust living, people who changed the world & a castle

See the 1918 school that educated a first lady, an astronaut & a celebrity voted “Most Likely To Get Arrested”

The 12,000 sq ft 1913 mansion that most people miss if you don’t know to look for it

And if you’d like, ghost stories, scandals and a serial killer can be included in the stories

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• Experience Details
• Good to Know

What You'll Do & See

Driving or walking along the streets, Heritage Hill Historic Homes in Grand Rapids is a trip back in time. As each home is often the combination of different styles, you immediately enjoy the unique character carved into the details of these much loved homes . About to be wiped out by the wrecking ball in the 1970s, these homes were saved at the last minute to become one of the “Best Old House Neighborhoods” in the nation. This is the place to take the pictures you’ll want to share!

The Details

Varies upon tour

Departure Time

Meeting point, availability.

Mon-Sun, year-round

Min. 4 – max. 55 people

1 professional tour guide

Not Included

Transportation

What to Bring

• Walking shoes
• Dress for the weather (layers in winter)

Participation Requirements

• Guests should be comfortable with walking 2 miles.
• This tour is wheelchair accessible. Please let us know if you have mobility issues or anything else that would help us make sure you have fun!
• Pet friendly. Your pet must be controlled with a leash or carrier, able to stay quiet during the tour, and comfortable around downtown activity, including horses. Please let us know if you’d like your pet to come .

About Your Guide

Certified tourism ambassador guide

As Heritage Hill Historic Home district is very large, you can see the most by vehicle, which we can do as a “ Step-on Guide for Bus Tours, Corporate Groups (opens in a new tab) ” in a tour bus or your personal vehicle. Walking tours are also available to see the historic home district, which focus on specific areas of the neighborhood. Story content can include ghost stories and scandals, if you’d like. Please Contact Us (opens in a new tab)  to learn more.

There are some homes in Heritage Hill where Tours Around Michigan can pre-arrange to tour inside. The two most common stops are a 1909 Prairie designed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright, another is a mid-1860s Italianate home built by one of Grand Rapids’ Mayors. Each of these homes have different things to appreciate and some areas are only accessible by stairs. If a guest cannot climb stairs, they can still enjoy a good portion of the homes, but some arrangements may be necessary ahead of time. The homes where we can arrange tours may also require some creative arrangements planned for larger groups. In some cases, any additional donation to the home is also expected with a tour group.

Most tours run 1.5 hours, but can be done in less time, if needed. Heritage Hill is one of the largest historic home districts in the nation, so we can also tour for hours, if you’d like, especially if it includes a stop to tour a specific home.

Yes. If time allows in Heritage Hill, we can stop in the historic district to grab some quick pictures in front of a gorgeous mansion (The Castle is a popular one). We can also have longer stops to walk around and see Heritage Hill from a different perspective. And, of course, if a tour inside an historic home is pre-arranged, we can Step-Off and Step-On again during the tour.

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Edsel and Eleanor Ford House

Headed to Ford House for the day? Get all the information you’ll need.

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Closed for Labor Day

The estate will be closed entirely on Monday, September 2 (this includes Friend Walks as well).

Learn About Our Education Programs 

From tours to trivia night! Our education programs are perfect for the entire family.

Ford Cove Project 

Ford House, the historic estate of Edsel and Eleanor Ford, is teaming up with the Great Lakes Commission (GLC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for a project to restore disappearing wildlife habitats along the shoreline of Ford Cove on Lake St. Clair — part of Michigan’s Great Lakes waterway.

Come for a tour. Walk on the grounds. Dine in our lakeside restaurant. Attend one of our programs, classes and special events. We promise you’ll leave with something more than you came.

The Continental at Ford House

Make a date for our lakeside dining destination, The Continental at Ford House.

Host your special event at Ford House

Elegant occasions should be celebrated in style. Our lakeside event spaces make the perfect setting for your private event.

The Lake Shore Room

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At Ford House, there's something for the whole family!

Special Thanks

Ford House is grateful for the generous support of Ford Philanthropy and helping us fulfill our educational mission and making Ford House more accessible to our community.

18 Magnificent Castles in Michigan to Visit

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Did you know there are dozens of castles in Michigan ? Many of them are not well known and are often a hidden surprise (and some aren’t actual “castles” but bear the name nonetheless), and you could make a trip to explore a wide range of these locations.

While not all of the castles in Michigan are accessible, and many are on private property, some are the perfect experience for those looking to explore the really cool history, architecture, and buildings throughout the state. 

Here are the best castles in Michigan that we recommend exploring!

Beaumont Tower | East Lansing

Located in East Lansing, Beaumont Tower was designed by Donaldson and Meier and constructed in 1928. A true collegiate gothic architecture style makes this fantastic castle a must-see.

Beaumont Tower is located on the campus of Michigan State University. The structure reaches 104 feet high at the site of College Hall, which was the first building on the campus.

Canterbury Castle | Lake Orion

Canterbury Castle is more of a true castle in terms of how it looks and feels. It’s located in Canterbury Village in Orion and is a historical landmark full of fantastic experiences.

Today, the building is used as a wedding venue and banquet center. Quite luxurious inside and out, it has beautiful architecture that creates a fantastic backdrop for photos.

Castle Farms | Charlevoix

Built in 1918, Castle Farms (previously Castle VanHaver) was originally a model dairy farm that showcased state-of-the-art farm equipment, but the property has changed owners three times since then.  It has been an artists’ mecca, a rock concert venue, and it is now a premier wedding venue and historic tourist destination.

Castle Farms has some of the most incredible formal and fun gardens to explore with walking paths and the largest outdoor model railroad. There is also a wine-tasting room, a 12-foot-tall dragon, and an enchanted forest! Tours of the castle include a history video about the property throughout the years and tram rides in the summer.

Castle Museum of Saginaw County History | Saginaw

Once known as Castle Station, Castle Museum of Saginaw County History is just that — a museum that pays homage to the area’s history. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The property was once the Saginaw Post Office. It was designed by William Martin Aiken and built in 1898 as a federal post office building. Today, it is filled with an archeology exhibit, a 1914 Saginaw cyclecar, and a lumbering exhibit.

Castle Rock | St. Ignace

Though it is not a true castle itself, Castle Rock certainly looks like one. It is also considered one of the oldest lookout points in the city and was once called Pontiacs Lookout by the Ojibwa Tribe.

The lookout point is quite noticeable from downtown St. Ignace. It’s quite impressive because it rises 195 feet above the water. You can walk up a path to it, from which you’ll get one of the best views in the region.

Cook Law Quadrangle | Ann Arbor

Located on the University of Michigan campus is the Cook Law Quadrangle , a beautiful space with stunning lawns and paved paths, along with some pretty impressive neo-Gothic buildings.

It was built throughout the early to mid-1900s and is comprised of four buildings — the Lawyers Club, the John P. Cook Dormitory, the Legal Research Building, and Hutchins Hall. While it’s not available for general public tours, tours are available to those intending to attend the university.

Curwood Castle | Owosso

For those who want to tour a castle that has been turned into a museum, a trip to Owosso to Curwood Castle is in order. It is a small castle built by James Oliver Curwood and opened in 1922.

Owosso Michigan itself is an impressive area because it is home to numerous historic homes and buildings, some of the most impressive in the region. The castle served as the author’s writing studio, and Hoddy House, also located on the property, was the family home.

The Castle Lofts | Detroit

A historical landmark in Detroit, The Castle Lofts is no longer available for tours. While the outside is truly an impressive experience, the interior has been converted into a range of loft-style apartments. A drive-by is well worth the experience, though.

Grand Army of the Republic Building | Detroit

The Grand Army of the Republic Building in Detroit Michigan is an excellent choice for those who want to see architectural beauty. This property has been added to the National Register of Historic Places.

It was designed by Julius Hess and construction began in 1899 as a meeting space for the Grand Army of the Republic, which was founded for veterans of the Civil War Union Army. However, the group vacated the building by 1930, and it was used by the women’s group G.A.R. Memorial Association until 1973.

The building has a Richardsonian Romanesque style to it and originally included 13 shops along with a bank, office space, and an auditorium. The Castle Hall in the G.A.R. Building currently serves as a wedding venue.

Although the G.A.R. Building is no longer available for tours and has gone through numerous ownership changes, it stands as a Civil War Memorial, and just walking around it along Detroit’s streets is an impressive experience in itself.

The Henderson Castle | Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo is home to The Henderson Castle , which is now a full-service restaurant and bed and breakfast. The castle was established in 1895 and has long been the home of various secret societies and was the home to the Henderson family at the turn of the century

Though The Henderson Castle has undergone numerous renovations over the years, it maintains its castle-like design and features.

Helmer Castle | Jackson

Helmer Castle is no longer what it once was, an impressive castle-like home in Jackson. It was designed in the 1920s after Max Helmer, a noted violinist, toured Europe and wanted to bring back the feel of the castles there.

When it was built, this six-story Medieval stone castle was an impressive addition to the community. It was intended to provide seclusion and privacy, and each of the first five levels consisted of a bedroom with its own fireplace. Today, Helmer Castle is an event hall.

Meadow Brook Hall | Rochester

Located in Rochester, Meadow Brook Hall is a Tudor revival-style mansion built from 1926 to 1929 for Matilda Dodge Wilson of the Dodge automaker family. You can take a tour of this impressive space, as well as host a wedding or other event here.

This property, which is a national historic landmark, is on the Oakland University campus. Its grand design and details pay homage to the incredible woman Ms. Wilson was. And, when it was built, no expense was spared, which is why it cost $4 million.

Newberry Hall | Ann Arbor

Built as the home of the Students’ Christian Association on the campus of the University of Michigan, Newberry Hall is a fabulous castle worthy of exploration. Dating from 1890, it has a Romanesque style.

The hall has been used for classroom space and even for a museum over the years. Today, it is home to the Bentley Historical Library. The stone exterior remains in excellent condition for its age.

Old Main | Detroit

Another stunning campus building is Old Main, which is a part of Wayne State University . It was first opened in 1896 and has a Queen Anne style of architecture along with a Romanesque Revival style.

Old Main was originally built as a high school for the community before it became a core component of the college campus. It was built by Malcomson & Higgenbotham, a large builder of schools of the time.

Penniman Castle | Battle Creek

Penniman Castle is a single-family home that was built in 1906. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and was built to look like a European castle. The Penniman family remained in the home until 1910, after which it remained vacant for some time before being purchased by Glenn M. Hayes.

The Castle | Holland

The Castle in Holland Michigan sits on the waterfront in Castle Park . Though it is not accessible, it is said that this was the inspiration for The Emerald City from the movie “The Wizard of Oz.” It was owned by a German family for some time and remains privately owned today.

Hoyt Main Library | Saginaw

The Hoyt Main Library was built by Eric Pinchet in the 19th century. It was a Richardson Romanesque library noted for its many genealogical records for the middle region of the state.

The original building was commissioned by Jesse Hoyt, who gave the city $100,000 to build a library. Over the years, additions were added to it, making it even more impressively beautiful.

Discover More Castles in Michigan

If you are looking for other locations to explore, there are a number of other “castles” in Michigan that could be well worth the experience. Check out these additional recommendations:

• Castle Shops at Bavarian Inn Restaurant | Frankenmuth
• Miners Castle | Munising ( Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore )
• Victoria Hill | Oakland Township (outskirts of Metro Detroit)
• Wisconsin Cheese Castle | Michigan Center (near Jackson)

For those who want to explore castles in Michigan, be sure to do a bit of research to determine if the location is available. Many of these locations are privately owned, but they may still be worth driving past to just to see the beautiful architecture that grants them the name of “Michigan castle”.

A lover of all things Michigan. Will never get tired of exploring the unique places across the state and meeting all the awesome inspiring people that are here. Always ready for a new Michigan adventure! Owner, Director, and Chief Explorer!

Take The Tour

You can use your smartphone or tablet to take a tour of the Manor with the owners, Julie and Dave Sprenger, providing an audio background for each of the rooms. 

The tour of this mansion begins in the library. It is the large room with a fireplace on the right as you came in the front door. You can turn the lights on in the room you are in and we ask that you turn them off as you leave.

The TV in the den is running a continuous slideshow of photos of the Laurium Manor Innfrom the years 1985-2014 plus old photos of the Hoatson family.

You should allow 30 to 60 minutes to complete your tour of the mansion and grounds. A pamphlet telling the history of its owners and descriptions of all the rooms and interesting features is given to everyone touring the mansion.

• INTRODUCTION
• HOATSON FAMILY HISTORY
• THOMAS HOATSON JR HISTORY
• CALUMET & ARIZONA MINING CO
• MANSION CONSTRUCTION
• SPRENGER'S HISTORY WITH THE MANOR
• MAIN FLOOR HALLWAY
• DINING ROOM
• MAIN STAIRCASE
• ROOM #6, MASTER BEDROOM
• ROOM #1, GUEST BEDROOM
• GUEST BATHROOM
• ROOM #2, GIRLS BEDROOM
• ROOM #3, NURSERY
• ROOM #5, OLDEST SON'S BEDROOM
• ROOM #4, BOYS BEDROOM
• ROOM #7, MAIDS ROOM
• MAID'S BATHROOM
• ROOM #8, MAID'S ROOM
• ROOM #9, MAID'S ROOM
• ROOM #10, CEDAR LINEN CLOSET
• BACK STAIRWAY
• 31-BREAKFAST ROOM
• 32-BOY'S PLAYROOM
• THE GROUNDS
• CARRIAGE HOUSE

AGATHA CHRISTIE AND WHISKEY AT THE BARKER COTTAGE SEPTEMBER 25TH!  GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

Visit the Mansion

Built in 1857, The Barker Mansion is a monument to Gilded Age architecture and commemorates the Barker family’s influence in shaping the railway landscape of the American Midwest. Explore its 38 rooms and beautiful gardens. Experience Michigan City history.

Featured Events

Connect with history and experience the Gilded Age at one of our upcoming featured events. The Barker Mansion also offers general admission and guided tours.

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The Barker Mansion is open six days weekly. With events for adults, children, families, and history enthusiasts, there’s something for everyone. Guided tours are available to individuals and groups, or choose general admission for a self-guided tour of the mansion and gardens.

Featured Exhibit

The Barker Mansion’s  permanent exhibit.

Join us at the revolutionary Haskell & Barker factory as we embark on the journey of a boxcar and explore the city where it all started.

We illuminate the present by bringing the past to life

Built in 1857 by John Barker and remodeled in the early 1900s, The Barker Mansion stands as a testament to the success and innovation of the Barker family and a prime example of luxury in the Gilded Age. Through their industrial enterprises, the Barker family helped define the Midwest as a center of trade and commerce. Their home set the tone for opulence and culture during the Gilded Age by honoring the grace and beauty of the past while calling upon the brilliance of progressive architecture and design. The Barker Mansion opened as Museum and Civic Center in 1970 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

Today, The Barker Mansion serves to interpret the history of the Barker legacy and its context within Michigan City, Indiana. We accomplish this through interpretive tours, exhibits, lectures,  education, and other public programs.  The Mansion is also available for wedding and event rentals. 

The Barker Mansion’s architecture, collections, and social history create a living museum for both the scholar and casual visitors. The Mansion operates as a non-profit institution for schools, civic and cultural groups, and the public at large.

Portrait of Catherine Barker Hickox

Book Your Special Event Today

From weddings and baby showers to birthdays and anniversaries; plan your event with the historic Barker Mansion as the backdrop.

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Our History

Over the years, The Barker Mansion has witnessed pivotal moments in American history and served as a social hub during the Gilded Age.  Our historical timeline is woven with stories of resilience, innovation, and community.  We invite you to take a step back in time and experience the legacy of the Barker Family…

Event Rentals

The Barker Mansion and grounds offer a beautiful historic background for any event. Our outdoor formal gardens and sophisticated indoor spaces are perfectly equipped to accommodate both intimate gatherings and large-scale events…

Visit The Mansion

The historic Barker Mansion lives as a monument of industry, charity, and turn-of-the-century life in Michigan City, highlighting the legacy of the Barker family through community events…

Open for The Holidays

Future events, philanthropy & construction update, our latest reviews.

We were so glad to have went to a tour and after we were done the nice lady and her son gave us so much more details on the home and the family they were incredible.

The employees were very helpful and knowledgeable. The whole family enjoyed the experience. They even gave us recommendations on the area attractions.

Amazing place. Stunning details, I could spend all day in here.

Excellent day and a look back into history.

A lot of history shared. Antique furniture. Nicely displayed. Beautiful garden! Great venue for wedding.

After undergoing extensive renovations, Barker Mansion has reopened its doors, and I recently had the pleasure of visiting during Michigan City's Uptown First Fridays event. This event provided free admission for Michigan City residents, making it an excellent opportunity to explore this historic gem. Barker Mansion is a stunning example of Gilded Age elegance and architecture. As you walk through the mansion, you are transported back in time, thanks to the meticulous preservation of original furnishings and fixtures. Each room tells a story, reflecting the luxurious lifestyle of its former inhabitants and offering a tangible connection to the past. One of the highlights of my visit was the basement exhibit, which focuses on the Haskell-Barker Car Company. This display provides insightful historical context about the family's business and its impact on the region, adding depth to the overall experience of the mansion. The restoration efforts are evident throughout the mansion, with each area carefully returned to its original state, as it would have appeared when the Barker family resided there. This attention to detail in the restoration allows visitors to fully immerse themselves in the historical ambiance of the mansion. Furthermore, the staff at Barker Mansion deserves special mention. They were incredibly insightful and friendly, readily available to answer any questions we had. Their deep knowledge and enthusiasm for the mansion's history significantly enhanced our visit, making the experience not only educational but also genuinely engaging. Additionally, the property features a beautifully maintained walled garden complex. This serene setting hosts tea-time events, which I find to be a charming way to engage with the property while enjoying a bit of leisure and luxury in a picturesque environment. I highly recommend a visit to Barker Mansion for anyone interested in the history of Michigan City or those simply seeking to experience the splendor of a bygone era. Whether you're a local resident or a traveler, the mansion offers a fascinating glimpse into the opulent Gilded Age and the rich history of the Barker family. The knowledgeable staff, captivating exhibits, and beautiful grounds make it a must-visit destination.

The amazing restoration work that was done is impeccable. Recommend to anyone who likes this type of detail and workmanship.

My wife and I were visiting Michigan City, IN for a few days and decided to check out The Barker Mansion for a tour. The mansion has been painstakingly renovated by a number of local companies that have done a great job of bringing this beautiful property back to its glory days. The tour was self-guided and there were helpful staff members on hand to answer questions and help with historical background and information. I recommend starting with the video and historical information located on the lower level before walking through the first and second floor rooms. This is a relatively new local attraction open as of June 1, 2024, and well worth a visit! Please feel free to use any or all of the attached photos.

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Wedding Rental Corporate Business Rental Private Events Rental Tea At The Mansion

Please see below hours of operation:

Monday: Closed Tuesday: 11am – 4pm Wednesday: 11am – 4pm Thursday: 11am – 4pm Friday: 11am – 4pm Saturday: 11am – 4pm Sunday: 11am – 4pm

Company Details

631 Washington St, Michigan City, IN 46360 Phone: (219) 873-1520 Privacy Policy Terms Of Use

Accessibility

The Barker Mansion has an accessibility ramp in the rear of the building so guests can access the first floor and first floor bathroom. The lower level is accessible via two chair lifts. We ask that those who require the ramp call ahead so that staff can meet guests at the side entrance on 7th Street: (219) 873-1520. Please contact the Mansion with any questions. We are happy to help!

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• Real Estate

Take A Tour Of Detroit's Famous And Historic Charles Fisher Mansion

The Fisher family previously ran one of Detroit's most prominent auto-body production companies — the Fisher Body Company, according to the Detroit Historical Society . A family of seven brothers, they opened their business up in 1908 and, by 1914, became one of the largest manufacturers in the world before ceasing operations in the 1980s, according to the  Automotive Hall of Fame . Although decades have passed, their names still pop up in the media, such as Alfred J. Fisher's historical mansion, which recently sold for about $5 million — a record home sale for Detroit, according to Hour Detroit .

The Charles T. Fisher Mansion, owned by "The Good Doctor" actor Hill Harper, has also made headlines in previous years after Harper allowed a record number of designers from six states into the mansion to design 44 rooms, according to MLive . This was for the 2018 Junior League of Detroit Designer's Show House, and the design elements they implemented were absolutely breathtaking. The photos show they've also preserved the historical wooden carvings and other features. So, let's take a look at this combination of historical and modern design.

The famous Detroit exterior

The Charles T. Fisher mansion is over 18,000 square feet of beauty, according to Curbed Detroit . Design Aspire Home says Fisher and his wife moved into their home back in 1922; however, its exterior design is timeless and continues to be gorgeous to this day. The home is made of mostly red brick and a cement-like material that brings floral detailing to the front exterior. There are also wood designs present on a section of the home that is held up by red and white striped columns.

The front of the property is also adorned with luscious greenery; shrubs follow the cement and tiled pathway, and the bushes and trees are laid strategically across the yard. By the large front porch — where slumbering stone lions lay — there are more green shrubs that are meticulously trimmed into perfect spherical shapes. Redfin says that behind the home, there is a carriage house that holds a two-bedroom apartment above it and a four-car garage below.

Every designer's dream

There are several living areas, all with their own unique design. One seating area was designed with a colorful theme in mind, as strokes of several bright paint colors attract the viewer's gaze to the ceiling, according to Curbed Detroit . The inner part of the entryway follows this colorful theme — painted in a graffiti art style, which incorporates similar colors. The walls of the room are painted black for an elegant contrast, and the large French windows allow the perfect amount of natural light to stream in.

On the second floor, a lounge area was created with two types of seating arrangements at the two ends of a large kitchen island. This island is long matte black, keeping several kitchen appliances hidden. The flooring is broken up in a straight and herringbone pattern, and both seating arrangements feature an elegant fireplace for the ultimate lounging experience.

Bathroom design fantasies

One of the incredibly designed bathrooms was created with a floral theme in mind, according to Curbed Detroit . The designer installed flower decor everywhere; the ceiling, bathtub, sink, and more. The overall design is fresh and pleasurable to look at. The simple white tile on the wall and the brown tile on the floor serve as the perfect backdrop to allow the different shades of pink to flourish.

One of the other bathrooms has a stand-up shower full of extravagant marble with tones of gray, blue, and gold. The colors flow smoothly, forming clouds of color in random corners of the space. The gold hardware blends in with this marble, creating a visual masterpiece as all of the colors blend to look like one large slab of marble. There is also a window in the shower, allowing natural light to flood the space and accentuate all the unique veining.

Recommended

This Gorgeous House Museum In Michigan Will Transport You Straight To The Victorian Era

By: Author Savannah Walker

Posted on Published: June 24, 2024  - Last updated: July 12, 2024

Right here in Michigan , there’s a door to the past that will transport you to a different era.

The moment you cross the threshold of the William G Thompson House Museum & Gardens in Hudson, the Victorian charm, grandeur, and elegance embrace you like an old friend.

This historical gem is not just a feast for the eyes but also a journey through time.

Ready to discover what makes this place so enchanting?

The William G Thompson House Museum & Gardens is a stunning example of Victorian architecture, meticulously preserved to give visitors a genuine taste of the late 19th century.

Every corner, every room, tells a story steeped in history and culture.

The house, originally owned by William G Thompson, has been transformed into a museum that showcases the architectural beauty of the era and the lifestyle and customs of its inhabitants.

Upon entering, the first thing you notice is the intricate woodwork and ornate details that define the Victorian aesthetic.

The high ceilings, ornate staircases, and elaborate chandeliers are nothing short of breathtaking.

Even the wallpaper, carefully chosen to reflect the period, adds to the authenticity of the experience.

Walking through the halls, it’s easy to lose track of time as you marvel at the craftsmanship and attention to detail.

The museum offers guided tours that are both educational and entertaining.

These aren’t your typical, dry history lessons.

No, no, these tours are something special.

The guides are like time-traveling storytellers.

One moment you’re standing in a Victorian house, and the next, you’re transported back to the 1800s with tales of the Thompson family.

The stories are filled with quirky anecdotes and fascinating insights into the societal norms of the Victorian era.

Now, these guides have a real knack for bringing history to life.

Their storytelling is vivid and their presentations are engaging.

They sprinkle their tours with humor and little-known facts, making you chuckle while learning something new.

And the passion they have for history is truly infectious.

They talk about the Victorian customs as if they lived through them themselves.

By the end of the tour, you’ll find yourself with a new appreciation for the past.

You’ll leave chuckling at the oddities of Victorian life and marveling at how much things have changed.

And who knows?

You might even start quoting Victorian etiquette at your next dinner party.

Beyond just educational, these tours are a delightful romp through history with some very enthusiastic guides leading the way.

One of the highlights of the tour is the parlor, a room that epitomizes Victorian opulence.

With its plush furniture, ornate decorations, and exquisite artwork, the parlor is a testament to the luxurious lifestyle of the time.

The intricate patterns on the wallpaper and the rich colors of the drapes transport you to a world of elegance and sophistication.

It’s easy to imagine the Thompson family hosting lavish parties and entertaining guests in this splendid room.

The dining room is another marvel, with its grand table set with fine china and silverware.

The attention to detail is astounding, from the intricately carved chairs to the delicate lace tablecloth.

The room exudes a sense of grandeur and formality, reflecting the importance of dining as a social event in Victorian society.

The guides provide insight into the customs and etiquette of the time, adding depth to the experience.

Related: This Funky Outdoor Art Project is One of the Strangest and Most Unique Places in Michigan

Related: This Quirky Outdoor Gallery in Michigan is a Wonderland of Whimsical Recycled Art

Related: Discover this Spooky Horror-Themed Macabre Museum Hiding in Michigan

The bedrooms, too, are a sight to behold.

Each room is uniquely decorated, showcasing the personal tastes and preferences of its occupants.

The antique furniture, delicate linens, and vintage accessories create a cozy yet elegant ambiance.

But it’s not just the interiors that captivate visitors.

The gardens surrounding the house are equally enchanting.

These gardens are not your average backyard.

They are meticulously maintained masterpieces.

Picture vibrant flower beds, lawns groomed to perfection, and walkways that invite you to take a leisurely stroll.

These spaces create a serene and picturesque setting, perfect for unwinding and soaking in the beauty of nature.

Seasonal blooms?

They add splashes of color that will make any landscape artist weep with joy.

It’s like walking through a living painting.

The flowers don’t just sit pretty.

They tell stories of Victorian gardening practices and the significance of various plants and flowers.

The garden tour, led by guides who know their begonias from their hydrangeas, offers deep dives into these fascinating topics.

This is not just a garden but a botanical adventure.

Think of it as a journey through time and horticulture.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or someone who can barely keep a cactus alive, there’s something magical about these gardens.

They have a way of making everyone feel connected to nature, and maybe, just maybe, a bit more knowledgeable about the plant world.

The museum also hosts a variety of events and activities throughout the year, from historical reenactments to themed tea parties.

These events provide a unique opportunity to experience Victorian culture firsthand.

Whether you’re participating in a traditional dance or enjoying a cup of tea in the garden, these activities add an extra layer of fun and engagement to your visit.

For those with a keen interest in history, the museum’s extensive collection of artifacts is a treasure trove of information.

From vintage clothing and accessories to household items and personal belongings, the collection offers a glimpse into the daily lives of the Thompson family and their contemporaries.

The exhibits are thoughtfully curated, with detailed descriptions and historical context, making it easy to understand and appreciate the significance of each item.

The William G Thompson House Museum & Gardens is more than just a historical site—it’s a journey into a bygone era.

The immersive experience, combined with the stunning architecture and beautiful gardens, makes it a must-visit destination in Michigan.

Whether you’re a history buff, a lover of architecture, or simply someone looking for a unique and enjoyable day out, this museum has something for everyone.

To plan your visit and learn more about the museum, check out its website and Facebook page .

Use this map to find your way there.

Where: 101 Summit St, Hudson, MI 49247

Ready to step back in time and experience the elegance and charm of the Victorian era firsthand at the William G Thompson House Museum & Gardens?

• Grand Rapids/Muskegon
• Saginaw/Bay City
• All Michigan

A look at the historic Michigan mansions of Detroit's automotive pioneers

• Published: Jan. 12, 2018, 8:00 p.m.

Tanya Moutzalias | [email protected]

Tanya Moutzalias | MLive Detroit

As the Detroit auto show approaches, here's a historical look at where the pioneers of the auto industry lived.

For historic auto industry photos check out this collection:  Historic photos show Ford's early Model T assembly line and wartime production

More coverage of the Detroit auto show, which runs Jan 13-28, can be found here .

The century old Fair Lane estate of Henry and Clara Ford has been undergoing extensive renovations to the restore the 31,770 square feet home back to its original state by the same nonprofit that manages the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House.

Related :  Century-old Henry Ford Fair Lane estate to undergo extensive renovations

The restorations project includes repairs to roofs, foundations and important structural supports to the estate's buildings. Architectural elements and finishes to the estate will be restored, as well as replicated furniture added to "reimagine" the estate, caretakers said. (Courtesy of the Edsel and Eleanor Ford Estate)

The goal is to restore the home to how it to a looked when Henry and Clara Ford first built Fair Lane. (Courtesy of the Edsel and Eleanor Ford Estate)

The estate was "one of the first National Historic Landmarks in Michigan, when it was designated in 1966," according to the Ford House. (Courtesy of the Edsel and Eleanor Ford Estate)

Edsel & Eleanor Ford House

The Edsel & Eleanor Ford House was the former private residence of Henry and Clara Ford's only child, Edsel, his wife Eleanor and their children: Henry II, Benson, Josephine and William Clay.

Related:   See inside historic Edsel and Eleanor Ford House filled with fine art and European furnishings

The 30,000-square-foot Cotswold style home was completed between 1926 and 1929 and sits on 87-acres of lakefront property in Grosse Pointe Shores. After Eleanor Ford died, the house was opened to the public in 1978 for visitors to experience the Ford's history and the grand estate. (Courtesy of the Edsel and Eleanor Ford Estate)

Inside the historic Edsel and Eleanor Ford House, 'The Gallery' was a room used to host large parties. The long room features "two walls of 16th century oak linenfold paneling and the immense chimney piece from Wollaston Hall in Worcestershire, England. An oil painting attributed to Frans Hals, "A Youth in Feathered Hat." A French Henry IV carved walnut court cupboard of the late 16th or early 17th century once on the collection of William Randolph Hearst. An Elizabethan carved oak blanket chest, circa 1600 and a rare wine jar from the Han Dynasty of China, circa 200 B.C," according to the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House.

The 60-room home was preserved by Eleanor Clay Ford with antiques and furnishing dating back to the late 16th century and artwork from Europe and Great Britain. (Courtesy of the Edsel and Eleanor Ford Estate, photograph Mike Skinner, MB 124146)

The Drawing room inside the historic Edsel and Eleanor Ford House was used to entertain guests before dinner and host meetings. The room is filled with 18th century French furniture and French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings. A reproduction of the sold Paul Cezanne's "La Montagne Ste Victoire" hangs on the wall where the original once was. Cezanne's original masterpiece watercolor still-life "Bouilloire et Fruits," stills hangs on the wall. The elegant room features "two Louis XV gilt metal and rock crystal chandeliers and five sconces accent the Louis XV carved rouge royal marble mantel," according to the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House.

"Eleanor Ford in front of La Tasse de Chocolat by Pierre-Auguste Renoir." Many of the original masterpieces were donated to the Detroit Institute of Arts and are now some of the most popular pieces at the museum. (Courtesy of the Edsel and Eleanor Ford Estate)

Walter Buhl Ford II, Alfred Ford, William Clay Ford, Bill Ford Jr., Edsel Ford II, Henry Ford II, Benson Ford Jr. and Benson Ford in the Main Hall at Gaukler Point, January 23, 1953. (Courtesy of the Edsel and Eleanor Ford Estate)

Honeymoon cottage

Built in 1917, Edsel and Eleanor Ford once lived in this 'honeymoon cottage' on Iroquois St. in Detroit's Indian Village.

Henry Ford II and Benson Ford were thought to be born in the home. The 6-bedroom house sits on 0.83 acres complete with a garden, 4 car garage and carriage house above with a bathroom.

The 5,500-square-foot home has many of its original features, including one of the first refrigerators made, which has been converted into a pantry.

Original communication devices are still inside the home like this in telephone system that could be used to call between rooms inside the house, including a line for "Mrs. Ford."

Boston-Edison home

"Henry and Clara Ford lived here from 1908- 1915. The Fords were the first automobile magnates to reside in the Boston-Edison neighborhood," reads the Michigan Historic Site marker in front of the 1908-built 140 Edison St.

While at this house, Ford created his mass production methods of the Model T and wage price theories.

1486 Chicago Blvd. , built in 1918 for the Vice President of Manufacturing of the Model T at Ford Motor Co., Peter E. Martin.

Martin was the fifth Ford employee hired, according to the Historic Boston Edison Association. He was plant superintendent at the Piquette Plant and the Rouge facility. In 1924, he was named Vice-President of Manufacturing and became a trusted advisor to Henry Ford.

610 Longfellow St., built in 1910 by Albert Kahn for the treasurer and shareholder of Ford Motor Co., James Couzens, who was also a Detroit Police Commissioner, Detroit Mayor from 1919-1922 and U.S. Senator.

90 Edison St. , built in 1907 for original Ford Motor Co. shareholder and philanthropist Horace Rackham. Rackham, a lawyer who helped Henry Ford write up documents to start the Ford Motor Co., bought 50 shares in the start up company for $5000.

In 1919, Ford bought back Rackham's shares for 12.5 million dollars. Afterwards Rackham became a philanthropist, heavily supporting the University of Michigan and other charities.

Meadow Brook Hall, located in Rochester Hills, was the county estate of Matilda Dodge Wilson, widow of auto baron John F. Dodge, and her second husband, lumber baron, Alfred Wilson.

Related:  Inside Meadow Brook Hall, the historic estate of one of the world's wealthiest women of her time

The manor is the fourth largest historic house museum in the United States with 88,000 square feet and 110 rooms. The Tudor-revival manor cost over $4 million to build and furnish between 1926 and 1929. The house and its 1,500 acres are now home to Oakland University. (courtesy of Meadow Brook Hall Archives)

After John and Horace Dodge's death from influenza in 1920, the brothers' widows sold their share of the Dodge Brothers Motor Car Company. The sale made Matilda Dodge heir to one the wealthiest fortunes in the United States.

Matilda's influence spread beyond her wealth and charity, as she became the first woman to serve as lieutenant governor of a U.S. State, appointed as the 43rd lieutenant governor of the state of Michigan in 1940. (courtesy of Meadow Brook Hall Archives)

Matilda was also the first woman to sit on the board of a major automotive firm.

In 1957, the family donated the entire 1,500 acre estate and $2 million to Michigan State University to create a branch college campus, which later became Oakland University.

Matilda and Alfred lived in the home until he died in 1962 and she died in 1967. The Hall opened to the public in 1971. It serves as a hosting space for Oakland University, weddings, events and is open for historical tours.

670 W Boston, built in 1922 for President of Fisher Body Charles T. Fisher. Charles T. Fisher was the president of Fisher Body Company, which he co-founder in 1908 with one of his seven brothers, Fred Fisher. According to the Automotive Hall of Fame, "In 1914, Fisher Body Company produced 370,000 car bodies to become the largest manufacturer of car bodies in the world."

Related:   A rare look inside the largest historic Boston-Edison home, the Charles T. Fisher Mansion

The Charles T. Fisher mansion is the largest home in the Detroit's historic Boston-Edison district. 1921 (Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library)

The 48-room estate has 12 bedrooms, 14 bathrooms, a pub, a private chapel, a prohibition-style pub and a gymnasium on the third floor.

The 1922 English Tudor-style mansion was built for Charles and Sarah Fisher by architect George D. Mason. Mason also designed the Ransom Gillis House, the Belle Isle Aquarium and Mackinac Island's Grand Hotel.

54 Arden Park Blvd. , just across Woodward Ave. was built for Frederick J. Fisher of Fisher Body.

Frederick T. Fisher co-founded Fisher Body Company in 1908 with one of his seven brothers, Charles T. Fisher.

"Exterior view of the Frederick J. Fisher residence an Italian renaissance style home. Embossed on photo front: "Hance." Written on photo back: "54 Arden Park." Stamped on photo back: "George D. Mason & Co., architects, 508 Griswold St., Detroit, Mich." 1917 (Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library)

"Interior view a living room in the Frederick J. Fisher residence, with two upholstered chairs in front of fireplace, and the portrait of a woman above fireplace. Written on photo front: "1917, F.J. Fisher, #196." (Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library)

"Parlor or living room in the Fisher residence. Written on photo front: "1917, F.J. Fisher, 197." (Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library)

"Foot of staircase in the Fred J. Fisher home at 54 Arden Park showing carved railing and entry into another room. Stamped on photo back: "Godfrey and Grossman, commercial photographers, 97-99 Fort Street West, Detroit." (Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library)

892 W Boston Blvd. , built in 1922 for Edward F. Fisher. After Fisher Body was bought by General Motors, Edward F. Fisher became the General Manager of GM's Fisher Body division, according to the Historic Boston Edison Association.

111 Edison St. , built in 1916 for William A. Fisher of Henkly Motor Co. and Fisher Body.

Other early automotive pioneers settled in Detroit's Boston Edison neighborhood

700 W Boston Blvd. , built in 1915 for Walter O. Briggs, president of Briggs Mfg., which made car bodies, and owner of Briggs Stadium and the Detroit Tigers.

Briggs Manufacturing was once the nation's largest producer sof car and truck bodies, before shifting gears into producing plumbing products as market for car bodies shrank, according to the Historic Boston Edison Association.

Related: Tour Detroit's neighborhood of automotive pioneers, Boston-Edison

650 W Boston Blvd. , built in 1911: President of Hupp Motor Car Co., John W. Drake, designer of the Model T, C. Harold Wills. Grinnell Electric Auto Co. and Grinnell Brothers music, Ira Grinnell.

611 E Boston Blvd. , built in 1912 for President of the Regal Motor Car Co. Charles Lambert.

Ossip Gabrilowitsch, a conductor with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra from 1918-1936 and his wife, Clara Clemens, daughter of Mark Twain, also lived here.

664 Chicago Blvd. , built in 1925 for treasurer for General Motors and philanthropist Meyer L. Prentis.

"He was the chief accountant and auditor for GM, and in 1916 was promoted to comptroller. Three years later, Prentis became treasurer of General Motors, a position he held until 1951," according to the Historic Boston Edison Association. He also endowed Detroit Medical Center's Meyer L. Prentis Cancer Center.

655 Chicago Blvd. , built in 1917 for President of Detroit Durant Motor Car Co. Adam H. Sarver.

Sarver started as a salesmen for Durant-Dort Buggy Company.

"In 1916, Durant's Chevrolet Company took control of Scripps-Booth Motor Company, and in 1917 Sarver was named president of Scripps-Booth. The following year, Chevrolet, along with Scripps-Booth, merged into General Motors, and Sarver moved to Detroit," to 655 Chicago Blvd., according to Historic Boston Edison Association. In 1924 he became the Director of Durant Motor Co. before retiring in 1930.

631 Chicago Blvd. , built in 1911 for Alfred O. Dunk, manufacturer of electric cars.

Dunk, born in Saginaw, started as a manufacture rof engines and other mechanical components. In 1929, Dunk bought the failing Detroit Electric Car company, which produced cars until his death in 1936. The reorganized Detroit Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Co. dissolved shortly after his death.

160 Longfellow St. , built in 1915 for Vice-president of Packard Motor Car Co. and Director of Engineering for Cadillac Motor Car Co., S. D. Waldon.

"During WWI, Waldon was a Colonel involved in preparation of aircraft manufacturing for the war effort, and was instrumental in creating a viable US air force," according to the Historic Boston Edison Association.

1247 Chicago Blvd. , built in 1936 for Vice President of Cadillac Motor Co. Barney Smith.

2437 Longfellow St. , built in 1921 for Henry P. Hellmuth of Scripp Motor Co.

2460 Edison St. , built in 1919 for David E. Williams of Liberty Motor Car Co.

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Watch CBS News

Best Historical Home Tours In Detroit

September 28, 2011 / 8:55 AM EDT / CBS Detroit

Meadow Brook Hall & Gardens

Oakland University 2200 N. Squirrel Road Rochester, MI 48309 (248) 364-6200 www.oakland.edu/mbh

If you've ever wondered how "the other half" lives, then a tour of Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester, MI is definitely a must-see. Affectionately called "America's Castle" by some, this architectural masterpiece was built for Matilda Dodge Wilson, widow of the auto pioneer John Dodge, and is the fourth largest historic house museum in the nation. Many of the mansion's 110 rooms are open to the public along with the beautiful gardens and charming playhouse (Knole Cottage). Meadow Brook Hall offers tours as well as many special activities like dinner and a movie in the ballroom, pajama parties for the kids, and, of course, the traditional Holiday Tour where the entire home is decked out for the holidays by local designers. Meadow Brook Hall is located on the campus of Oakland University. Check the website for tour times and information.

Edsel and Eleanor Ford House

1100 Lake Shore Road Grosse Pointe Shores, MI 48236 (313) 884-4222 www.fordhouse.org

In 1929 Edsel and Eleanor Ford brought in the renowned architect Albert Kahn to design an elegant yet comfortable family home on 87 acres overlooking Lake St. Clair in Grosse Pointe, MI. The estate has been open to the public since 1978, allowing hundreds of thousands of visitors the opportunity to marvel at the architecture, antiques and art or stroll the beautiful lakefront ground. Visitors can take an iPod App Tour or enjoy one of the unique "behind the scenes" tours like a look at life for the Ford Estate staff. Don't miss the swimming pool designed to look like a tiny lake between a stand of birch trees or the 2/3 scale Tudor playhouse built in 1930 for seven-year-old Josephine. To visit the Ford House, check the website for tour times and event information.

Saarinen House

Cranbrook 39221 Woodward Ave. Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304 (877)462-7665 www.cranbrookart.edu

If you're a fan of Art Deco, don't miss an opportunity to tour the Saarinen House on the grounds of Cranbrook Academy of Art. Saarinen House was the home and studio of the Finnish-American designer Eliel Saarinen and his wife, Loja Saarinen. He was Cranbrook's first resident architect, the Academy's first president, and the head of the Architecture Department. She was the Academy's first head of the Weaving Department. This beautifully restored home includes Eliel's delicately-veneered furniture, Loja's sumptuous textiles, as well as early furniture designs by their son Eero Saarinen, and doors designed by their daughter, Pipsan Saarinen Swanson. Public tours include take place from May through October and include additional sites on the Cranbrook campus. Visit the website for further information.

Henry Ford Estate (Fair Lane Mansion)

4901 Evergreen Road Dearborn, MI 48128 (313) 593-5590 www.henryfordestate.org

In 1914 Henry and Clara Ford began construction on a beautiful home hidden on 1300 acres of Dearborn, MI farmland. The 31,000 square foot, 56 room residence was not the largest or most opulent estate built at that time, but it still took between 500 and 800 craftsmen working full-time approximately two years to complete this project. The estate is closing December 17, 2010 as the University of Michigan transfers ownership of this National Historic Landmark to the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores, MI. The Fair Lane Mansion will be restored and reopened in stages over the next seven years.

Octagon House

57500 Van Dyke Washington, MI 48094 (586) 781-0084 www.octagonhouse.org

The Octagon House is one of America's unique contributions to the field of architecture and there's a beautiful example of this style of home just north of Detroit in Washington, MI. The Loren Andrus Octagon House was completed in 1860. It has eight sides, eight foot-windows letting in lots of sunlight, and features a beautiful 55-step circular staircase in the center of the home that winds its way up to the third floor cupola. All the rooms fan out on either side of the staircase. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Michigan List of Historic Places. Tours are available on the 4th Sunday of every month. See the website for tour and special event information.

Kris Kelly is the Community Affairs Manager for WWJ-TV and CW50.  In her free time ... if there is any ... she enjoys finding fun and interesting things to do in the Metro Detroit area.  Got any great suggestions for future "Best of ..." stories?  Send her an e-mail .

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Grosse-Pointe-Park

Harbor springs, grand haven.

Set on a leafy street downtown, this five-bedroom home is walking distance to shops and restaurants. The 2018 cedar-shingled Craftsman has a barrel-ceilinged hallway; a paneled den with fireplace; a kitchen-living room with eat-in island, breakfast room, and wine storage; a primary bedroom wing; and a lower-level bedroom suite, fitness room, and rec space.

In back are a covered porch, a landscaped patio with a pool, a firepit, an alfresco dining area, and a detached garage with an apartment. $3,995,000. Kathy Broock, Max Broock Realtors/Luxury Portfolio International, (248) 318-4504 .

The double lot of this updated 1929 Tudor is near a park and the Detroit River. The four-bedroom house features a living room with refinished oak floors, arched doorways, and a bay window with stained glass; a chef's kitchen with navy cabinets and blue granite counters; and a connected sitting room with French doors.

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The formally landscaped property includes a heated driveway and walkways, courtyard, pool, pool house, teahouse, and terraced gardens. $2,200,000. Jaime Turnbull, Higbie Maxon Agney, (248) 672-2020 .

A non-through road in Northern Michigan leads to this rustic-contemporary three-bedroom home, built in 2000 of rough-hewn split cedar. Inside are a vaulted main space with a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace; an updated kitchen; and a lower-level second kitchen, fitness area, and game room.

The 5-acre forested property has gardens, a garden shed, an outdoor kitchen and fireplace, a hot tub, and a she shed; skiing, hiking, and a town are nearby. $1,495,000. Trish Hartwick, Coldwell Banker Schmidt-Petoskey, (231) 838-0411 .

Frank Lloyd Wright designed the 1950 Robert D. & Winifred L. Winn House in Parkwyn Village, a community of Usonian homes 10 minutes' drive from Kalamazoo. The three-bedroom midcentury ranch home has the architect's signature large windows, custom built-in furniture, cement flooring, and geometric-patterned concrete blocks; rooms include a long, curved sunroom with skylights and water and forest views.

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The wooded 2.38-acre double-lot property comes with access to Little Asylum Lake. $1,850,000. Fred Taber, Jaqua Realtors, (269) 806-6829 .

This three-bedroom modern apartment sits atop two floors of income-generating commercial office space in downtown Grand Haven, overlooking the river and steps away from dining and shopping.

Built in 1979 and renovated in 2016, the open-plan home features exposed ducts and metal beams, wood floors, a two-sided fireplace, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Outside is a 17-by-45-foot steel-railed deck with sail shades, a linear firepit, and Grand River views. $3,299,000. Mara Walsh, Coldwell Banker Realty, (773) 220-9062.

Part of midtown Detroit's Art Center neighborhood, this 1928 brick Tudor townhome is walking distance from the Institute of Arts and other cultural landmarks. The four-bedroom condo unit has a carved staircase; a living room with wood floors, ceiling medallion, bay window, and small, ornate gas fireplace; a separate kitchen and dining room; and an attic bedroom with walk-in closet.

In back are a one-car garage and common yard. $425,000. Austin Black II, @properties Detroit/Christie's International Real Estate, (313) 550-2307 .

This article was first published in the latest issue of The Week magazine. If you want to read more like it, you can try six risk-free issues of the magazine here .

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Michigan Central Station releases details for public tours: Registration, times, more

Michigan Central Station is weeks away from welcoming the public with open houses of the iconic building shining starting June 7.

The long-abandoned train station, which was nearly demolished in 2009, became a national symbol of Detroit's disrepair before undergoing window restorations and rescuing from Ford Motor Co. After spending years restoring the massive structure and facing delays , Ford is ready to let the public see the results.

“After a six-year restoration by Ford and so many others, Michigan Central Station will reopen, reimagined as a place of innovation and culture open to all,” Mary Culler, chair of Michigan Central, said in a news release. “This is a historic moment not just for Michigan Central but for those near and far who love Detroit, and that’s why we’re creating an opening worthy of this achievement that invites everyone to join us for the station’s next chapter, no matter where they are located in the world.”

Not all details were released Monday, but here is what to know about the tours:

Tours, time and dates

Michigan Central will host a three types of events for its opening. The first, dubbed "OPEN Live," will be the main concert event on June 6 at 8:30 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration will be online at https://michigancentral.com/open starting at noon Tuesday.

OPEN Houses from June 7-16, allowing visitors can experience the grandeur of the restored station through an "immersive" tour. Visitors can expect to explore various activations, storytelling and art throughout the ground floor of the train station. Registration will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at https://michigancentral.com/open , also expected to be available at noon Tuesday. Individuals will be able to reserve no more than four spots for the tours.

In addition, OPEN Outdoors will take place outside of the train station on the front lawn of the renovated Book Depository building, now known as Newlab. Visitors can expect to learn more about Michigan Central's growing ecosystem, enjoy music and local entertainment, purchase food and beverages, along with Michigan Central merchandise. Registration is not required for this event.

The outdoor event will run from noon to 10 p.m. June 7; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 8; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 9; noon to 8 p.m. June 10-13; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; June 14-15; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 16, city records show.

After the main event, Michigan Central will begin a "phased reactivation" of the train station for several months as restaurant, retail and other commercial and community-focused partners fill the space. The first floor will be open for tours on Fridays and Saturdays through the summer. Expanded hours will later be announced for the fall, when the first phase of commercial activations opens to the public, according to a news release.

Registration details

Registration for Michigan Central events will open at noon on Tuesday at https://michigancentral.com/open .

Getting there

Major events can drive plenty of traffic in the area. Several roads will close throughout the event but visitors can choose from nearby street parking, free parking in the 1501 Wabash St. garage on a first-come, first-served basis, riding the bus through the Detroit Department of Transportation, e-scooters or ridesharing.

Dana Afana is the Detroit city hall reporter for the Free Press. Contact: [email protected]. Follow her:  @DanaAfana .

Biden returning to Michigan next Friday

President Joe Biden will visit Michigan again next Friday, the White House said on Thursday afternoon.

No other details regarding where the president will go or when on Friday were made available. It was not known whether the event would be open to the public.

The White House said only that Biden "will travel to Michigan to discuss how his Investing in America agenda is benefiting communities across Michigan and ensuring Americans have a brighter, more prosperous future."

The visit will come four days after Vice President Kamala Harris, who replaced Biden as the Democratic nominee for president this year, is set to visit metro Detroit on Labor Day. After that visit, Harris was scheduled to go to Pittsburgh for a Labor Day event with Biden.

More: Kamala Harris, Tim Walz to sit for first interview since launching campaign

The presidential campaigns and their surrogates have made numerous visits to Michigan, which is expected to be a battleground state this fall. On Thursday, former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, spoke in Potterville, making his second trip to the state in a week; two days earlier, his vice presidential nominee JD Vance, spoke in Big Rapids .

Biden last came to Michigan on July 12, delivering a fiery speech at Renaissance High in Detroit even as some Democrats called for him to step aside as the party's nominee, raising questions about his age and mental and physical acumen. Biden stepped aside as nominee later that month, endorsing Harris, who visited metro Detroit for a large rally on Aug. 7.

Biden's visit will also be his first to the state since he and his administration in early August finalized a historic prisoner swap with Russia that resulted in a Novi man, Paul Whelan, r eturning to the U.S. after more than five years in Russian captivity.

Contact Todd Spangler: [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter@tsspangler.

The Latest: Trump campaigns in Michigan, Wisconsin; Harris sit down for interview with CNN

Former President Donald Trump is campaigning Thursday in Michigan and Wisconsin as he ramps up battleground state travel heading into the traditional Labor Day turn toward the fall election

Former President Donald Trump is campaigning Thursday in Michigan and Wisconsin as he ramps up battleground state travel heading into the traditional Labor Day turn toward the fall election.

Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, sat down Thursday for the first major television interview of their presidential campaign as the duo travels in southeast Georgia on a bus tour.

The interview with CNN’s Dana Bash gave Harris a chance to quell criticism that she has eschewed uncontrolled environments.

Follow the AP’s Election 2024 coverage at: https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024 .

Here’s the Latest:

The first sit-down interview from Harris and Walz since taking the helm of the Democrats’ presidential ticket for 2024 has ended.

Bash asked Walz about several misstatements of fact in his record, starting with how he has described his 24 years of service in the National Guard.

In a 2018 video clip that the Harris-Walz campaign once circulated, Walz spoke out about against gun violence and said, “We can make sure that those weapons of war, that I carried in war, is the only place where those weapons are at.”

Critics say Walz portrayed himself as someone who spent time in a combat zone. But a campaign spokesperson said he misspoke.

Walz replied that he was “incredibly proud” of his National Guard service.

“My record speaks for itself, but I think people are coming to get to know me. I speak like they do. I speak candidly, I wear my emotions on my sleeves, and I speak especially passionately about our children being shot in schools ... I think people know me. They know who I am. They know where my heart is.”

Walz said his wife, who was an English teacher, tells him that his grammar is not always correct.

“One thing I’ll never do is, I’ll never demean another member’s service in any way. I never have. And I never will,” Walz said.

Asked about statements that appeared to indicate that he and his wife conceived their children with in vitro fertilization when they in fact used a less controversial fertility treatment, he said he believes most Americans get that it’s the Trump campaign that’s splitting hairs.

But Walz did not address Bash’s question about false statements that his staffers made in his first congressional campaign in 2006 about his arrest for drunken driving in 1995. The staffers denied that he was driving drunk, but a transcript of his court appearances shows that he and his attorney acknowledged that he was.

She explained that it was a Sunday — July 21 — when she answered the phone at the vice-presidential residence in Washington. Family was visiting, including her 6- and 8-year-old nieces. They had pancakes and bacon for breakfast and were sitting down to work on a puzzle when the phone rang.

It was Biden and Harris said, “He told me what he had decided to do and ... I asked him, ‘Are you sure?’ and he said, ‘Yes,’ and that’s how I learned about it.”

She said she didn’t ask Biden to endorse her because “he was very clear that he was going to endorse me.”

“He is so smart and loyal to the American people,” Harris told CNN. “And I have spent hours upon hours with him, be it in the Oval Office or the Situation Room. He has the intelligence, the commitment and the judgment and disposition that I think the American people rightly deserve in their president.”

Harris’ words of support for Biden, whose exit from the nomination and endorsement cleared her path, also came with a criticism of Republican Trump. She said her opponent in November’s election had none of Biden’s values.

Asked about Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza, Harris said, “I am unequivocal and unwavering in my commitment to Israel’s defense and its ability to defend itself.” But the vice president also reiterated what she’s said for months, that civilian deaths are too high amid the fighting.

“Far too many innocent Palestinians have been killed, and we have got to get a deal done,” Harris said of the Biden administration’s efforts to help broker a cease-fire to temporarily end the fighting in Gaza. She added, “This war must end.”

Harris also promised to “work toward a two-state solution,” a policy that is also consistent with the Biden administration.

Their debate is set for next month, but it seems like Trump is paying close attention to Harris’ CNN interview.

After Bash mentioned the Sept. 10 debate between Harris and Trump, Trump posted to Truth Social, “I look so forward to Debating Comrade Comrade Kamala Harris and exposing her for the fraud she is.”

Trump went on to say that his Democratic opponent “has changed every one of her long held positions, on everything. America will never allow an Election WEAPONIZING MARXIST TO BE PRESIDENT OF THE U.S.”

Bash noted during the broadcast that the debate would be the first-ever meeting for Harris and Trump. She said the opponents had only been in the same space when Harris, as a senator, attended Trump’s State of the Union addresses.

Trump wrapped up his town hall in Wisconsin earlier tonight — at just over half an hour, a notably short campaign event compared to Trump’s hour-plus-long rallies — less than 10 minutes before the beginning of Harris’ interview broadcast.

Vice President Harris in her CNN interview chose not to dignify former President Trump’s claim that the multicultural Democrat only recently began identifying as Black.

“Same old tired playbook, Harris said. “Next question, please.”

Harris’ mother was born in India and her father in Jamaica. She has long embraced the totality of her identity and graduated from Howard University, a historically Black institution.

Harris says that she values building “consensus” and will put a Republican in her Cabinet if elected.

The vice president said on CNN that “it would be to the benefit of the American people” if she had a Republican as part of her administration’s top advisers.

But Harris paused when asked to name prospective appointees, saying she would not be “putting the cart before the horse” with more than two months left until Election Day.

Harris, who has said she would be a president representing all Americans, from all political persuasions, said she felt it “important to find a common place of understanding to where we can actually solve problems,” something that could be served by having a high-ranking Republican around her as president.

Vice President Harris defended the Democratic administration’s record on the southern border and illegal immigration. Harris said her work in the administration was on the “root causes” in other countries that were driving the border crossings.

She noted that border crossings are down from their peaks and stressed that there was a bipartisan deal to strengthen border security that Trump, her Republican opponent, killed “because he believes that it would not have helped him politically.” Harris said she would sign the bipartisan deal if she is elected and it passes Congress.

“We have laws that have to be followed and enforced, that address and deal with people who cross our border illegally, and there should be consequences,” Harris said.

"As president, I will not ban fracking,” Vice President Harris said.

The Democratic nominee had said as part of her campaign for her party’s nomination in 2020 that she would ban the practice of fracking to produce oil and natural gas.

Harris indicated that her position has changed, but said her values had not and that the country could now address climate change without needing to ban fracking.

Asked about voters who might want to return to economic prosperity they recalled from the Tump administration, Harris noted that she and Biden were tasked first with helping the U.S. dig out from difficulties brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic when they entered the White House.

Harris also promoted her proposals to clamp down on price gouging and extend the child tax credit.

“First of all, we had to recover as an economy,” Harris added when asked why she had not yet implemented some of those ideas during her time as Biden’s vice president.

Asked about voters who want prices to go back to 2019 levels, Harris stressed job growth and inflation being under 3% annually.

But Harris also acknowledged that “the American people know” prices are too high. The Democratic nominee said she would tackle the issue of possible price gouging by supermarkets, expand the child tax credit and offer $25,000 in down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers to help deal with costs.

CNN has just started broadcasting its interview with Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic ticket in November’s presidential election.

Dana Bash conducted the interview in the likely swing state of Georgia. After talking with Harris aboard her vice presidential plane, they met at Kim’s Cafe in Savannah.

Trump is taking the stage at La Crosse Center, an arena along the Mississippi River for a town hall discussion moderated by former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.

More than 5,000 have been waiting for more than two hours at the venue in western Wisconsin, in a county Trump lost in 2020 — La Crosse County — but surrounded by rural counties in northern and western Wisconsin he won en route to losing the state by fewer than 23,000 votes.

Gabbard, a former Democratic House member, left the Democratic Party in 2022, after leaving office in 2021, and endorsed Trump Monday in Michigan. Trump was traveling to Wisconsin from Michigan, where he appeared at an event in a town southwest of Lansing.

Trump has repeatedly called the Republican party a “leader” on IVF this month — a claim many IVF experts and medical ethicists have refuted by pointing to what they say is an innate tension between support for IVF and for the laws granting legal personhood to fetuses and embryos that are pillared by many GOP lawmakers.

At least 23 bills aiming to establish fetal personhood have been introduced in 13 states so far this legislative session, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights. This type of legislation, based on the idea that life begins at conception, could imperil fertility treatments that involve the storage, transportation and destruction of embryos.

Reproductive rights legal experts also warn of the potential that Trump, if elected, would appoint judges who support fetal personhood, which may lead to restrictions on IVF down the line.

“That’s a very real risk that we could see the impacts through court rulings a few years down the line,” said Kimberly Mutcherson, a professor of reproductive rights, bioethics and health law at Rutgers Law School.

In Alabama, clinics paused IVF treatments after the all-conservative state supreme court granted frozen embryos the legal rights of children in February. Soon after, Alabama’s Republican governor signed legislation shielding doctors from legal liability so that IVF procedures could continue in the state.

In the weeks after the ruling, congressional Republicans rushed to appear unified in support for the fertility treatment, despite histories of voting for fetal personhood laws many medical ethicists and legal experts say are legally inconsistent with IVF access.

These attempts at unity on the issue have also been complicated by opposition from anti-abortion leaders, including members of the right-wing House Freedom Caucus who have objected to expanding IVF access for veterans, and by Senate Republicans blocking legislation that would have made IVF access a federal right.

In an interview with NBC, Trump seemed to indicate that he will vote to repeal Florida’s six-week abortion ban that was signed into law by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis last year.

The former president told NBC that banning the procedure after six weeks is “too short,” and that “it has to be more time.”

“I am going to be voting that we need more than six weeks,” Trump said.

Florida voters, of which Trump is one, will get to vote on a ballot measure in November that legalizes abortion until fetal viability. That would expand the right even beyond the prior ban on abortion at 15 weeks that Florida had in place before its newest law.

Trump has previously called DeSantis’ signing of the six-week ban a “terrible mistake.” But he has also taken credit for appointing U.S. Supreme Court justices who overturned nationwide abortion rights and called it “a beautiful thing to watch” as states set their own laws.

Trump has shifted his position on abortion over the years but his current stance is that restrictions should be left to the states. His running mate JD Vance said in a recent interview that Trump would not support a national abortion ban if elected president and would veto such legislation if it landed on his desk.

The vice president was asked by CNN about Trump falsely saying he only learned she was Black a few years ago because she’d always promoted her Indian heritage.

She responded to CNN’s Dana Bash with, “same old, tired playbook” and “next question, please.”

Trump made the false statement during a July interview during the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago. Harris is the first woman, and first Black and Asian American person to be elected vice president. She is now the first Black woman and first Asian American person to be the presidential nominee of a major political party.

Harris’ mother and father were immigrants from India and Jamaica, respectively. She’s a graduate of Howard University, a preeminent historically Black institution in the U.S. She pledged to a historically Black sorority and was a member of the Congressional Black Caucus when she was a U.S. senator.

Trump recently came under criticism for the way he discussed the Congressional Medal of Honor, the military’s highest decoration for service members.

Praising billionaire Republican donor Miriam Adelson, whom he awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award, Trump said she fared “much better” than receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor because recipients of that award are often badly injured or dead.

Despite the Veterans of Foreign Wars admonishing Trump by calling his comments “flippant” and “asinine,” he repeated a version of the remark at his campaign event in Michigan, saying he’d “rather get” the Medal of Freedom because the Medal of Honor recipients “often times they’ve suffered greatly, right? They’ve suffered greatly or they’re not around.”

Former President Donald Trump says that, if he wins a second term, he wants to make IVF treatment free for families.

“I’m announcing today in a major statement that under the Trump administration, your government will pay for — or your insurance company will be mandated to pay for — all costs associated with IVF treatment,” he said at an event in Michigan. “Because we want more babies, to put it nicely.”

IVF treatments are notoriously expensive and can cost tens of thousands of dollars for a single round.

He also said that new parents will be allowed to deduct expenses on caring for newborns from their taxes. “We’re pro-family,” he said.

The announcement comes as Trump has been under intense criticism from Democrats for his role in appointing the Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe v. Wade, ending the Constitutional right to an abortion.

The decision is expected to be a major motivator for Democrats this November.

Kamala Harris said at a rally Thursday in Savannah that Donald Trump does not trust women and insists the former president will sign a national abortion ban.

“If he wins, Donald Trump will go forward. He will sign a national abortion ban you best believe.”

Trump has said abortion should be left up to the states, but he’s also taken credit for appointing the judges on the Supreme Court who created a conservative majority and overturned federal abortion protections.

Swedish supergroup ABBA has asked Donald Trump to stop using their music at campaign rallies, but the Republican presidential nominee’s campaign says it has permission.

“ABBA has recently discovered the unauthorized use of their music and videos at a Trump event through videos that appeared online,” said a statement to The Associated Press from the band, whose hits include “Waterloo,” “The Winner Takes It All” and “Money, Money, Money.”

“As a result, ABBA and its representative has promptly requested the removal and deletion of such content. No request has been received; therefore, no permission or license has been granted.”

A spokesman for the Trump campaign said it had obtained a license. “The campaign had a license to play ABBA music through our agreement with BMI and ASCAP,” the spokesperson told the AP.

▶ Read more about the Trump and ABBA

Harris told CNN that she would name a Republican to her Cabinet if elected.

The vice president noted in the interview airing at 9 p.m. ET tonight that there are still 68 days until the election “so I’m not putting the cart before the horse.” She said she didn’t have a particular Republican in mind but thinks having a member of the GOP in her Cabinet is important because “I have spent my career inviting diversity of opinion.”

She continued: “I think it’s important to have people at the table when some of the most important decisions are being made that have different views, different experiences. And I think it would be to the benefit of the American public to have a member of my Cabinet who was a Republican.”

Harris has pledged to be a president for all Americans.

Former President Donald Trump is campaigning in Michigan and Wisconsin as he ramps up his battleground state travel heading into the traditional Labor Day turn toward the fall election.

Trump is intensely focused on recapturing states he won in 2016 but lost narrowly in 2020 as he continues to adjust to the reality of his new race against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.

Trump’s first stop was Potterville, Michigan, near the state capital of Lansing, where he railed against the Biden administration over inflation in the most dramatic terms, accusing Harris and President Joe Biden of having presided over “an economic reign of terror” and “committing one financial atrocity after another.”

“Kamala has made middle-class life unaffordable and unlivable and I’m going to make America affordable again,” he vowed to supporters at Alro Steel.

In a new book, former President Donald Trump calls his 2018 summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki “a GREAT meeting” and threatens to imprison Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg if the tech mogul does anything this year akin to his $400 million donation to local election offices in 2020.

The book, entitled “Save America,” is a collection of pictures, anecdotes and reminiscences from Trump’s presidential campaigns and term in office.

In it, Trump defended his widely criticized Helsinki meeting with Putin, in which Trump said he gave equal weight to the Russian president’s claims not to have interfered in the 2020 presidential election as to the conclusions of U.S. intelligence agencies. In regards to his meeting with Zuckerberg, Trump writes that “He would bring his very nice wife to dinners, be as nice as anyone could be, while always plotting to install shameful Lock Boxes in a true PLOT AGAINST THE PRESIDENT,” referring to the more than $400 million that Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan Zuckerberg, donated to election offices in 2020.

The book is scheduled to be released Sept. 3. It is one of a number of commercial ventures the former president has launched that include a special pair of sneakers , an edition of the Bible and digital trading cards . “Save America” will sell for $99 with a signed copy going for $499.

▶ Read more about Trump’s new book

The first clip of CNN’s interview with Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, is up.

In it, Harris is pressed about once supporting the Green New Deal — a sweeping package of policies meant to drastically reduce the nation’s greenhouse emissions at an accelerated pace — and other liberal policy initiatives she supported while running in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary but now no longer does.

“My values have not changed,” Harris responded.

She added of the Green New Deal, “I have always believed — and I have worked on it — that the climate crisis is real, that it is an urgent matter.”

The vice president said that the U.S. had to set deadlines to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the Biden administration has done that. She added that her policies around the U.S.-Mexico border also have not changed, noting that she prosecuted human and drug smugglers as California attorney general.

This is the first sit-down interview Harris has done since President Joe Biden dropped his reelection bid and endorsed her.

Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh told reporters at a briefing Thursday that the military has approved a request from the Department of Homeland Security to provide additional support to both the Harris and Trump presidential campaigns.

The support will include both active duty and National Guard forces who will provide additional helicopter lift, explosives detection, chemical weapons detection and military working dogs among other assets to provide both campaigns increased security and support.

The support will continue for both campaigns through election day and for the next president and vice-president-elect through inauguration day, Singh said.

With most states reliably red or blue, the path to the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency runs through seven states where the contest is expected to be narrowly decided.

Those are: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. All together, they are home to only 18.3% of the country's population.

The Associated Press has been tracking the campaign appearances of the Democratic and Republican tickets since March.

Since then, Pennsylvania has been getting the most love from both campaigns, with a total of 21 visits, including one planned this coming weekend. Wisconsin and Michigan are close behind with 17 and 16, respectively.

Most states haven’t been visited at all, and a handful with clusters of wealth, such as California, get attention not for their voters but when the campaigns want to tap the wallets of the rich.

JD Vance was greeted with some cheers and some boos during an appearance before a top firefighters union.

Vance appeared Thursday at the annual meeting of the International Association of Firefighters in Boston.

After receiving a mixed reaction to some of his comments, he remarked that it “sounds like we've got some fans and some haters — that's OK."

One of Vance's remarks that elicited both cheers and jeers was that he and Trump “are the most pro-American worker ticket in history.”

The GOP vice presidential nominee’s appearance came a day after Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz addressed the same group. The organization’s political arm endorsed President Joe Biden’s candidacy in the 2020 campaign.

Vance got a larger reaction of cheers when he promised support for collective bargaining and more benefits for firefighters.

Next month’s debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump won’t have an audience, live microphones when candidates aren’t speaking, or written notes.

That's according to rules that host network ABC News shared this week with both campaigns.

A copy of the rules was provided to the Associated Press on Thursday by a senior Trump campaign official on condition of anonymity ahead of the network’s announcement. The Harris campaign on Thursday insisted it was still discussing the muting of mics with ABC.

The parameters now in place for the Sept. 10 debate are essentially the same as they were for the June debate between Trump and President Joe Biden , a disastrous performance for the incumbent Democrat that fueled his exit from the campaign.

Harris’ campaign had advocated for live microphones for the whole debate, saying in a statement that the practice would “fully allow for substantive exchanges between the candidates.”

Associated Press reporter Jill Colvin in New York contributed.

The Army says an Arlington Cemetery official was “abruptly pushed aside” during an altercation with a member of Trump's campaign staff that took place as Trump was attending a wreath-laying for service members killed in the Afghanistan war withdrawal.

In a statement Thursday, the Army said the employee was trying to make sure those participating in the wreath-laying ceremony were following the rules, and “acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption.”

The Trump campaign has been facing blowback since an NPR report said that two Trump campaign staff members had “verbally abused and pushed” aside a cemetery official who tried to stop them from filming and photographing in Section 60, the burial site for military personnel killed while fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Federal law prohibits campaign or election-related activities within Army national military cemeteries.

The Trump campaign has claimed the Republican presidential nominee’s team was allowed to have a photographer during the Monday event and has contested the allegation that a campaign staffer pushed a cemetery official.

Trump campaign adviser Corey Lewandowski says Vice President Kamala Harris has been dodging the news media ahead of her interview Thursday night on CNN.

Lewandowski, who was recently brought back to the Trump campaign, said the former president has conducted more than three dozen interviews in recent weeks while Harris refused to grant an interview to a major news outlet.

He also complained that Trump will have to “beat two Democratic nominees” after Harris’ “coronation” by Democrats, following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race. Harris “can’t hide” from the Biden administration’s record on jobs and inflation, Lewandowski told reporters on a call Thursday morning.

Democrats’ enthusiasm about their vote in November has surged over the past few months, according to polling from Gallup . About 8 in 10 Democrats now say they are more enthusiastic than usual about voting, compared with 55% in March.

This gives them an enthusiasm edge they did not have earlier this year. Republicans’ enthusiasm has increased by much less over the same period. About two-thirds of Republicans now say they are more enthusiastic than usual about voting.

Donald Trump is scheduled to campaign Thursday in Michigan and Wisconsin as the former president ramps up battleground state travel heading into the traditional Labor Day turn toward the fall election.

Trump’s intense focus on recapturing states he won in 2016 but lost narrowly in 2020 continues with stops in the middle of Michigan and western Wisconsin.

Trump’s day starts with an afternoon rally in Potterville, Michigan, near the state capital of Lansing. Trump won Eaton County, where part of Lansing is located, in both 2016 and 2020, but by a smaller margin the second time.

Later, he'll visit La Crosse, Wisconsin, for a town hall moderated by former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who endorsed him in Detroit. It will be Trump’s first visit to Wisconsin since the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, will sit down Thursday for their first major television interview of their presidential campaign as the duo travels in southeast Georgia on a bus tour.

The interview with CNN’s Dana Bash will give Harris a chance to quell criticism that she has eschewed uncontrolled environments, while also giving her a fresh platform to define her campaign and test her political mettle ahead of an upcoming debate with former President Donald Trump set for Sept. 10. But it also carries risk as her team tries to build on momentum from the ticket shakeup following Joe Biden’s exit and last week’s Democratic National Convention.

The CNN interview is set to air at 9 p.m. EDT. It was scheduled to be taped at 1:45 p.m. EDT at Kim’s Cafe, a Black-owned restaurant in Savannah, Georgia. The interview comes during Harris' two-day bus tour through southeast Georgia that culminates with an evening rally in the coastal city.

Joint interviews during an election year are a fixture in politics; Biden and Harris, Trump and Mike Pence, Barack Obama and Biden — all did them at a similar point in the race.

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WATCH: Trump delivers remarks on the economy at campaign event in Potterville, Michigan

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Donald Trump is campaigning Thursday in Michigan and Wisconsin as the former president ramps up battleground state travel heading into the traditional Labor Day turn toward the fall election.

Trump’s intense focus on recapturing states he won in 2016 but lost narrowly in 2020 continues with stops in the middle of Michigan and western Wisconsin.

Watch Trump’s remarks in Michigan the player above.

Trump’s day started with an afternoon rally in Potterville, Michigan, near the state capital of Lansing. Trump won Eaton County, where part of Lansing is located, in both 2016 and 2020, but by a smaller margin the second time. It will be his third visit to the state in the past nine days and second this week after a speech to the National Guard Association in Detroit on Monday.

Later, he will visit La Crosse, Wisconsin, for a town hall moderated by former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who endorsed him in Detroit. It will be Trump’s first visit to Wisconsin since the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, which ended three days before President Joe Biden dropped out of the race and made way for Vice President Kamala Harris.

Along with Pennsylvania, which Trump will visit on Friday, these three Midwestern states make up a northern industrial bloc Democrats carried for two decades before Trump won them in 2016. Biden recaptured them on his way to the White House in 2020.

Trump and his vice-presidential pick, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, have blitzed the battleground states in recent weeks, with Vance in both states this week as well.

The battleground offensive comes as a reinvigorated Democratic Party rallies around Harris and her new running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

Harris and Walz are aiming to leverage the surge in enthusiasm among the party’s base since her campaign launch just over a month ago. They hope this excitement — which was on full display at last week’s convention in Chicago — will extend to more moderate areas as they embark on a two-day bus tour in Georgia, including events in the state’s rural southern regions.

Trump’s events in Michigan and Wisconsin are both in swing congressional districts.

Watch Trump’s remarks in Wisconsin in the player below.

Potterville is in Michigan’s 7th District, which features a mix of Republican-dominated counties like Clinton and Shiawassee, and Democratic strongholds such as Ingham, home to the state Capitol and Michigan State University. This district is expected to be one of the nation’s most competitive this fall following incumbent Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin’s decision to run for the state’s open U.S. Senate seat.

La Crosse, meanwhile, is a hub within Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, where Republican Derrick Van Orden won narrowly in 2022. Democrat Rebecca Cooke won the Aug. 13 primary to face him in November.

Beaumont reported from Des Moines, Iowa.

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