AHO Docent Meeting
Frankel Detroit Observatory, 26 –28 October, 2026
The Frankel Detroit Observatory will host a meeting for AHO organizational member staff, volunteers, and affiliates who work in public programs. This particular meeting will highlight the functional use of archives, historical material, and primary sources for public engagement.
The meeting will take place in Ann Arbor, Michigan, from October 26 – 28, 2026.
Contact: Austin Edmister, Assistant Director for Astronomy, Frankel Detroit Observatory, edmister [at] umich.edu.
In order to confirm attendance, interested attendees will be prompted to enter some brief information on a spreadsheet.
Flight into Detroit Metropolitan Airport + 30 minute drive or 1 hour bus ride (Michigan Flyer) to Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Ann Arbor is extremely walkable and is well supported by buses. City buses (TheRide) are very cheap ($1.50 per ride) and U-M Blue Buses are completely free for all. All bus routes are well supported by Google and Apple Maps.
The Frankel Detroit Observatory is within 15-20 minutes walking distance of all of Central Campus and downtown Ann Arbor. We will utilize U-M Blue Buses to travel to all other meeting locations and excursions.
The FDO has arranged for a block of 15 rooms with the Bell Tower Hotel at $189/night for the nights of October 25, 26, 27, and 28. Please follow this link for booking the Bell Tower Hotel blocked rooms. The Bell Tower is a 15 minute walk from the FDO, and it is conveniently located near the border between central campus and downtown Ann Arbor. Valet parking is available for $30/day.
You also have many alternative options around the city for lodging. However, please note that there is no free parking during daytime hours. City parking is typically $1.80/hour and on campus garages and meters are $2.50/hour. Most street parking and many campus lots become free after 6pm.
Ann Arbor loves its coffee and bakeries as much as it loves football, so I highly recommend trying local establishments. However, the FDO will be providing coffee and snacks each day!
The FDO is happy to also provide lunch for each day of the meeting.
Discussion topics will range of typical and topical:
| Mon 26 Oct (Day 1) |
9:30 a | Welcome & introductions | Frankel Detroit Observatory |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00 a | Public programs overview and updates | ||
| 12:00 n | Lunch | ||
| 1:00 p | Tour of historic Detroit Observatory | ||
| 2:00 p | Topic: Expanding our docent tours | ||
| 3:00 p | Topic: Public history | ||
| 4:00 p | Discussion: How do you engage with hostoric material | ||
| 5:00 p | End Day 1 | ||
| 8:00 p | Historic telescope observing | ||
| Tue 27 Oct (Day 2) |
9:30 a | Bentley Historical Library tour | Bentley Historical Library |
| 10:00 a | FDO Collections viewing and discussion | ||
| 12:00 p | Lunch | ||
| 1:00 p | Travel to Clements Library (bus or walk) | Bus or walk | |
| 1:30 p | Clements Library Tour | Clements Library | |
| 3:00 p | Discussion: How does your observatory use archives? | ||
| 4:00 p | Discussion: Utilizing collections for exhibits | ||
| 5:00 p | End Day 2 | ||
| 8:00 p | (Backup) Telescope observing | ||
| Wed 28 Oct (Day 3) |
9:00 a | ||
| 10:00 a | U-M Library Special Collections tour | Hatcher Graduate Library | |
| 11:30 a | Lunch | Frankel Detroit Observatory | |
| 12:30 p | Discussion: Collections management | ||
| 1:30 p | Session | ||
| 2:30 p | Session | ||
| 3:30 p | Session | ||
| 4:30 p | Session | ||
| 5:00 p | End Day 3 |
