Boblo Island history
Follow the boats, the island, and the memories on both sides of the river.
Explore the story →Save the date · October 17, 2026
Boblo Day at The Foundry
The memories bring us together. The next chapter starts with a conversation. Join History Loves Company for Boblo Day—and help us ask whether Columbia could come home to Detroit.
Book signing · Saturday, October 17, 2026
Meet Chris from History Loves Company.
Join Chris Hubel during Boblo Day at The Foundry for a signing of They Lied to Us About Detroit. Celebrate local stories, meet the storyteller, and explore the day’s Boblo activities.
The Foundry
35 West Huron Street, Suite 101 · Pontiac, Michigan
A BOAT. A CITY. A CONVERSATION.
Should the steamer Columbia come home to Detroit?
She currently resides in Buffalo, New York. But could we bring her home?
For generations of Detroiters, Columbia was part of the journey to Boblo. We want to hear what a return could mean to you—and what it would take to give her a lasting future here.
Tell us your thoughts below ↓Meet us at The Foundry
Saturday, October 17, 2026
The Foundry by History Loves Company
35 W Huron Street, Suite 101, Pontiac, Michigan
Join us for Boblo memories, a small Boblo display, and a documentary screening. Bring your curiosity and the stories that make the island personal to you.
This is a save-the-date announcement. Follow The Foundry and Stories We Keep for schedule and attendance updates.
Your memories belong in the collection
Have Boblo photographs, artifacts, home movies, or a story to share? Interested in helping with the event? Contact HLC so we can discuss the item, its story, and how it could be included.
Begin the journey before the event
Boblo scavenger hunt
Find three answers across the Boblo, civil-rights, and shipping stories.
Explore the story →Pontiac building archive
Explore the historic downtown around The Foundry.
Explore the story →
