Commems Collection Medals: 1951 Detroit, MI 250th Anniversary

The 1930s, 1940s and 1950s were good times for medal collectors as many high-relief commemorative / historical art medals were commissioned and made available to the public at reasonable prices. I previously posted about the 1934 Maryland Tercentenary Medal, the 1935 Connecticut Tercentenary medal and the 1953 Ford Motor Company medal (links below); this time out, I take a quick look at the 1951 medal that marks the 250th Anniversary of Detroit, Michigan.

The obverse of the official medal depicts the 1701 landing of Antoine de LaMothe Cadillac, and his accompanying French colonists, as they land at the site of the future Fort Pontchartrain on the north bank of the Detroit River. A small group of Native Americans is seen in the left foreground; Cadillac and the original French colonists had a good relationship with the local people - some Native Americans helped with the construction of the fort.

A settlement developed around the fort in the years that followed. The Fort was under French control from 1701 to 1760, at which time is was surrendered to the British during the French and Indian War - it was renamed Fort Detroit by the British. The fort was turned over to the United States in 1796 after the Jay Treaty was negotiated with the British (the Treaty formally established North American borders between the US and UK). The Fort was briefly recaptured by the British during the War of 1812.

The fort was given to the City of Detroit in 1826 and dismantled in 1827 as it was no longer suitable for its intended purpose - other forts were built.

There is no historical park at the site or recreation of the Fort; the site is now occupied by a hotel.

A circa 1951 depiction of the Detroit skyline is seen on the medal's reverse. An inset at left presents the original fort of 1701. The tallest building depicted on the medal is the Penobscot Building which reigned as the tallest in Detroit from 1928 (the year it was completed) until 1977 (when it was eclipsed by the new Renaissance Center).

The obverse and reverse designs together clearly present a "Detroit: Than and Now" theme.

The medal was sponsored by the Detroit's 250th Birthday Festival Committee; Rene P. Chambellan was commissioned to create the medal's designs/models. It is solid bronze, with a diameter of 2-7/8 inches.

Sales of the official medal were managed by the Detroit Historical Society for the Festival Committee; the issue price was $2.00 (plus $0.25 for mail orders). Net proceeds from medal sales were put toward a Detroit Historical Society building fund.

The medal is one of two Chambellan pieces I have that commemorate Detroit's 250th anniversary and Cadillac's role in it. I'll post the other soon.

1951 Official Detroit 250th Anniversary Medal


1951 Official Detroit 250th Anniversary Medal - Informational Leaflet



Medal posts referenced above:

- 1934 Maryland Tercentenary Medal
- 1935 Connecticut Tercentenary Medal
- 1953 Ford Motor Company Medal


For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medal, have a look at: Read More: Commems Collection.