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FLINT, Mich. — The Stockton House Museum is giving residents and visitors more reasons to visit one of Flint’s oldest historic homes through a growing lineup of educational programs, public tours and community gatherings scheduled throughout the year.
The Stockton House Museum, located at 720 Ann Arbor St., occupies the former home of Col. Thomas B. W. Stockton and his wife, Maria. Built in 1872, the Victorian residence has served as a family home, an early hospital and today stands as one of Michigan’s important local history museums. The museum continues to preserve Flint’s past while offering events that appeal to visitors of all ages.
Stockton House Museum Offers Monthly Activities
The Stockton House Museum calendar includes several recurring programs designed to attract both history enthusiasts and first-time visitors.
Trivia Night is held on the first Tuesday of each month beginning at 6 p.m. Teams of up to five people compete in a friendly contest for a prize, with a $5 entry fee per team.
The museum also hosts a Silent Book Club on the first Sunday of each month during the warmer months. Participants enjoy quiet reading time before gathering for conversation over tea and cookies.
History remains front and center through the Stockton Speaker Series on the fourth Monday of each month. Speakers present programs on Michigan history and broader historical subjects, including recent presentations on Cuba and the Titanic.
Public tours are offered on the third Saturday of every month from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is free for children ages 5 and younger, while visitors ages 6 and older are encouraged to make a suggested $5 donation. The tours give guests an opportunity to experience one of Michigan’s best-preserved Victorian homes while learning about the Stockton family’s influence on Flint.
Michigan Moments: Flint-Area History
Watch four short history films about Flint, Ortonville, Durand and Fenton. Select any video card to begin watching.
Flint
ShortGood Roads Day in Flint
Crowds pack Saginaw Street for a Good Roads Day parade around 1913, when better highways became a major public cause.
OrtonvilleA Short History of Ortonville
See how a small depot town gained an outsized role during Michigan’s railroad and interurban electric railway era.
DurandDurand and Its 100 Trains a Day
Durand became one of Michigan’s busiest railroad junctions, with passenger and freight traffic reshaping the small community.
FentonThe Factory Fire That Changed Fenton
A major industrial fire forced Fenton to confront economic change while the lakeside community searched for a new direction.
A Victorian Home With Deep Flint Roots
The Stockton House Museum preserves the legacy of Col. Thomas Stockton, a military engineer who served in both the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. During the Civil War he organized the 16th Michigan Infantry and later endured imprisonment at the infamous Libby Prison before returning to military service.
His wife, Maria Stockton, made equally lasting contributions to the community. In 1851 she organized Flint’s Ladies’ Library Association, which later became the foundation for the city’s public library system.
The Stockton family also donated land that became the Michigan School for the Deaf, an institution that continues to serve students today.
More Than a Historic House
The building itself reflects more than 150 years of changing community needs.
In 1920, the Catholic Diocese converted the residence into St. Joseph Hospital. A three-story addition expanded the building into a 52-bed medical facility before the hospital moved to a larger location in 1936.
Today, the restored home welcomes school groups, civic organizations, and visitors interested in Genesee County history. Educational programs cover Flint history, Civil War topics, Victorian architecture, and environmental restoration efforts at nearby Spring Grove.
Preserving Flint’s Story
The Stockton House Museum continues to serve as both a historic landmark and an active community gathering place. Through monthly lectures, tours, book clubs, and trivia nights, the museum offers residents and travelers new opportunities to experience Flint museum events while learning about the people who helped shape one of Michigan’s most historic cities.
