Museums, galleries & stages / Grosse Pointe Farms
The War Memorial
Lakefront Alger estate in Grosse Pointe Farms: WWII memorial, community arts hub and a 600-guest ballroom on Lake St. Clair.
01 / The story of this place
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Charles A. Platt designed this Italian Renaissance-style lakefront house, The Moorings, for Russell A. Alger Jr. in 1910. From 1936 to 1948 it was a branch of the Detroit Institute of Arts, and in 1949 it was dedicated as a memorial to the 3,500 Grosse Pointers who served and 126 who died in World War II, and as a community cultural center. The Fred M. Alger Center, opened in 2022, adds a 600-guest ballroom facing the lake, and the grounds hold the only official reproduction of Omaha Beach's Les Braves sculpture.
- 1910 Alger estate on the lake
- World War II memorial
- 600-guest lakefront ballroom
- Official Les Braves replica
Photos were taken at different times; images are resized and cropped on cards.
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Sources & fact check · Checked: 2026-10-01
An independently written bilingual guide. This collection is not an attendance-based ranking.
03 / Events
Events at this place
Published events automatically linked from our event guide. Times are local to the venue.
Oct 10, 2026, 9:00 AM2nd Saturdays: Not-So-Spooky Halloween
The Grosse Pointe War Memorial's kids' series 2nd Saturdays welcomes children ages 3 to 10 on Saturday, October 10, from 9 to 11 a.m. at The War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms. Expect Halloween crafts, stories and a science stage show; tickets are $10 per child, and parents get in free.
Oct 13, 2026, 6:00 PMSilent Book Club at The War Memorial
Grosse Pointe War Memorial hosts its Silent Book Club on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 6 p.m. at The War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms. Bring your current read for a quiet hour; complimentary coffee and tea, with wine and cheese-and-cracker boxes for purchase. Monthly registration; members are pre-registered.
Oct 18, 2026, 10:00 AMYoung Athletes Showcase
Special Olympics Michigan hosts a sports sampler for kids ages 2–7 of all abilities and their families on Sunday, October 18, at 10 a.m. at The War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms. It's free to attend.
Oct 20, 2026, 6:00 PMHeirloom Aesthetics: Vintage in the Home
Mata Kartsonas of Center Coast Vintage leads a panel of four local vintage experts on Tuesday, October 20, at 6 p.m. at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms. You'll learn how to work vintage finds into your home, and your ticket includes a vintage-inspired cocktail or mocktail.
Oct 23, 2026, 5:00 PMFold & Relax Origami
Artist Andrew Sigman leads a guided origami workshop on Friday, October 23, at 5 p.m. at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms. Step-by-step, all ages, calming and focused. Registration required.
Oct 25, 2026, 12:00 PM4th Annual Halloween Spooktacular
Grosse Pointe War Memorial hosts the 4th Annual Halloween Spooktacular on Sunday, October 25, at 12 p.m., at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms. Expect indoor trick-or-treating in the historic Alger House plus live stage shows. Tickets are $10 per person.
Oct 29, 2026, 6:30 PMMiddle School Dance: Monster Mash Bash
The Grosse Pointe War Memorial hosts a Halloween dance for Grosse Pointe 6th to 8th graders on Thursday, October 29, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Grosse Pointe Farms. There's a costume contest and a slice of pizza, and registration is online in advance.
Nov 5, 2026, 6:30 PMVetConnect Seminar Series: Great Lakes National Cemetery
Rodney Heard Jr. and Eric Crawford from Great Lakes National Cemetery lead a free veterans seminar on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at The War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms. Topic: burial and cemetery benefits in Michigan.
Nov 9, 2026, 7:00 PMAuthor Talk: Bonnie Jo Campbell
Author Bonnie Jo Campbell sits down with local author Kelsey Ronan on Monday, November 9, at 7 p.m. at The War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms to talk about her latest book, The Spirits. Presented with Next Chapter Books; tickets start at $35.
Nov 10, 2026, 6:00 PMSilent Book Club at The War Memorial
Grosse Pointe War Memorial teams up with Friends of the Grosse Pointe Public Library for a Silent Book Club on Tuesday, November 10, at 6 p.m. at The War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms. Bring your current read for an hour of quiet reading; complimentary coffee and tea are included. Monthly registration; all are welcome.
Nov 11, 2026, 8:00 AMVeterans Day Breakfast
Grosse Pointe War Memorial hosts its Veterans Day Breakfast on Wednesday, November 11, at 8 a.m. in Grosse Pointe Farms, with Medal of Honor recipient Terry Richardson as keynote speaker. Reservations required; free for veterans, $20 for guests.
Nov 12, 2026, 10:00 AMWar Memorial History Tour
Grosse Pointe War Memorial’s History Tour starts Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 10 a.m. at The War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms. Explore the elegant Alger House on a 90-minute walk; it’s free with a Pay What You Wish option, capped at 20 guests.
Nov 13, 2026, 7:00 PMBingo & Beats
Grosse Pointe War Memorial throws a music bingo night on Friday, November 13, at 7 p.m. at The War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms. Six themed rounds—Motown & Disco, Movies + TV, and more—with halftime and grand prizes; $15 admission includes a bingo card for each round.
Nov 14, 2026, 9:00 AM2nd Saturdays: Mini Makers Market
Grosse Pointe War Memorial's family morning series, 2nd Saturdays, goes with a Mini Makers Market theme on Saturday, November 14, from 9 to 11 a.m. at The War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms. Kids ages 3–10 get three craft stations, storytime and a magic show; tickets are $10 per child, and parents get in free.
Nov 15, 2026, 12:00 PMGingerbread House Decorating Competition
Grosse Pointe War Memorial hosts a Gingerbread House building competition on Sunday, November 15, at 12 p.m. in Grosse Pointe Farms. You get three hours to build solo or in a small team; kits are provided, and the winner earns a table for four at Breakfast with Santa. Registration is $35 per team.
Nov 20, 2026, 7:00 PMArias After Dark
Detroit Opera’s 2026–27 Resident Artists—Madison Montambault, Grace Ryan, Travis Leon Williams, and Aurélien Mangwa—bring Arias After Dark to The War Memorial ballroom in Grosse Pointe Farms on Friday, November 20, at 7 p.m. Candlelit opera evening; tickets $50, or $70 with wine pairings.
Nov 22, 2026, 4:00 PMTree Lighting Ceremony
Grosse Pointe War Memorial kicks off the season with its Tree Lighting Ceremony on Sunday, November 22, at 4 p.m. in Grosse Pointe Farms. A 20-foot decorated tree, live ice sculpting, and a vintage holiday market set the mood; the main event is free with registration. Santa visits in the ballroom are $5 per child.
Dec 3, 2026, 6:30 PMLiquor & Lore: Colonial Christmas
Cocktail historian Beth Vandergrift leads a holiday cocktail class on Thursday, December 3, at 6:30 p.m. at The War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms. You'll mix drinks from early America, including some founding father favorites. Tickets are $90.
Dec 6, 2026, 4:00 PMBedtime Stories with Santa — Sunday
Grosse Pointe War Memorial hosts Bedtime Stories with Santa on Sunday, December 6, at 4 p.m. at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms. Fireside stories, songs, milk and cookies, plus a professional family photo.
Dec 9, 2026, 6:00 PMVet-To-Vet
Grosse Pointe War Memorial hosts Vet-To-Vet on Wednesday, December 9, 2026, at 6 p.m. at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms. A relaxed way for veterans to connect over coffee; free to attend, registration encouraged.
Dec 10, 2026, 10:00 AMWar Memorial History Tour
Grosse Pointe War Memorial’s History Tour is Thursday, December 10, at 10 a.m. at The War Memorial’s Alger House in Grosse Pointe Farms. A 90‑minute, small-group look at the mansion’s architecture and stories; free with Pay What You Wish.
Dec 10, 2026, 4:00 PMBedtime Stories with Santa — Thursday
Grosse Pointe War Memorial hosts Bedtime Stories with Santa on Thursday, December 10, 2026, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms. Kids come in PJs for fireside stories, songs, and milk-and-cookies with Santa.
Dec 13, 2026, 9:30 AMBreakfast with Santa
Grosse Pointe War Memorial hosts a family Breakfast with Santa on Sunday, December 13, with seatings at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in Grosse Pointe Farms. Santa arrives by helicopter, and kids get a craft and a chance to share their wishes. Tickets are $50 for kids and $70 for adults.
Dec 19, 2026, 6:30 PMSupper Club: Merry & Bright Holiday Dinner
Grosse Pointe War Memorial hosts a three-course holiday dinner and a Dave Bennett Quartet concert on Saturday, December 19, at 6:30 p.m. in Grosse Pointe Farms. Dinner packages start at $85, or you can come for the concert only at $25.
Dec 22, 2026, 6:30 PMMiddle School Dance: Christmas by the Lake
Grosse Pointe War Memorial hosts a holiday dance for 6th through 8th graders on Tuesday, December 22, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Grosse Pointe Farms. Expect music, dancing and a slice of Jet's Pizza with every ticket. Registration is online and in advance.
Jan 9, 2027, 9:00 AM2nd Saturdays: Pirate Treasure Hunt
Grosse Pointe War Memorial's family morning sails in on Saturday, January 9, at 9 a.m. at The War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms, with a pirate treasure hunt for kids ages 3 to 10. Crafts, storytime and a live stage show are on deck, and parents get in free.
Feb 13, 2027, 9:00 AM2nd Saturdays: Pajama Party Playdate
Kids ages 3–10 can roll in wearing their pajamas on Saturday, February 13, from 9 to 11 a.m. at The War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms. Expect craft stations, storytime and a live stage show; tickets are $10 per child.
Feb 16, 2027, 9:00 AMPremier World Discovery presents: Hawaii 3 Island Adventure
Premier World Discovery's Hawaii trip is featured on Tuesday, February 16, 2027, at 9 a.m. at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms. The 8-day tour covers three islands: Oahu, the Big Island and Maui.
Feb 18, 2027, 5:00 PMVeterans Resource Fair
Grosse Pointe War Memorial hosts a Veterans Resource Fair on Thursday, February 18, 2027, from 5 to 7 p.m. in Grosse Pointe Farms. Organizations and service providers offer help to veterans, active-duty service members and their families. Free, with registration.
Mar 13, 2027, 9:00 AM2nd Saturdays: Under The Sea
Grosse Pointe War Memorial hosts a family morning for kids ages 3 to 10 on Saturday, March 13, at 9 a.m. at The War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms. Expect ocean crafts, storytime and a live stage show; tickets are $10 per child.
Jun 24, 2027, 9:00 AMPremier World Discovery presents: Alaska Cruisetour
Premier World Discovery presents its Alaska cruisetour on Thursday, June 24, 2027, at 9 a.m. at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms. It's a 12-day trip pairing a 7-night cruise with rail travel and guided sightseeing.
Oct 1, 2027, 9:00 AMPremier World Discovery: Eastern Europe & The Lower Danube River Cruise
Travel company Premier World Discovery presents a 10-night, seven-country Danube river cruise, listed for Friday, October 1, 2027, at 9 a.m. at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms.
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