Kresge at 100: A Century of Impact, A Future of Opportunity

May 5, 2024–February 2, 2025

NOW OPEN in Wrigley Hall

The Kresge Foundation was established in Detroit in 1924 by Sebastian Spering Kresge, whose retail empire, the S.S. Kresge Co., brought low-priced goods to the nation through five and dime stories, and later, Kmart. Today the private philanthropic foundation works to expand equity and opportunity in America’s cities through grantmaking and social investing.  

This unique exhibition details the 100-year history of the Kresge Foundation in two separate galleries of the Detroit Historical Museum. On the lower level of the museum, the Kresge & Wilson store in the iconic Streets of Old Detroit will feature new interpretive elements, giving visitors a preview of the main exhibition, housed in Wrigley Hall. The main exhibit will feature a company and foundation timeline, a Kresge store lunch counter complete with historic menus, and a spotlight on Foundation programs. 

For more information about the foundation’s centennial celebrations, visit kresge.org/100.

Kresge Second Sundays

The Kresge Foundation is sponsoring free admission on the second Sunday of every month during the run of the exhibition. Beginning on June 9 and running through January 12, 2025, every Second Sunday will be free to visit the Detroit Historical Museum.