Such a beautiful venue! The views alone make it a great place to hold an event. The ceilings are tall and the decor was very sophisticated. There were a lot of spider webs on the outside of the windows due to being so close to the lake. If you don't like bugs, I don't recommend this venue! For the most part the staff was friendly but they did seem to be a little bit rushy a little bit before halfway through. They took my silverware before I was done eating without asking. The entrance is handicap accessible although there are no signs indicating that. I was trying to open the front door when suddenly they opened by themselves so I was caught off guard. It is a great venue for sights and pictures! read more

Grosse Pointe War Memorial - Outside - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan

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There was some grounds construction or refurbishment going on when we stopped by today. Temporary barriers and some orange cones pointed people to other directions. I was just interested in the historical marker and the building itself. Unfortunately, we did not have an opportunity to walk the grounds around the building to view the lake as a keen eye can see across to Canada from here. The marker reads, "Russell A. Alger, Jr., (1873-1930) son of Michigan's Governor Russell Alger, built this Italian Renaissance style mansion in 1910. Alger was one of the founders of the Packard Motor Car Company, Charles A. Platt of New York designed this elaborate structure, and Ellen Shipman of New York landscaped the grounds. The home, situated on Lake St. Clair, was referred to as "The Moorings." Alger lived here until his death in 1930. From 1936 to 1948, the house was used by the Detroit Institute of Arts as a branch museum. In 1949 it was deeded to the Grosse Pointe War Memorial Association in memory of those who served and died in our nation's wars and for facilitating the educational, cultural and civic needs of the community." It also mentions that it was erected in 1983 by the Michigan History Division. Russell A. Alger, Sr. was a Civil War general who served as the 20th Governor of Michigan from 1885 to 1887, US Senator and eventually, US Secretary of War under President William McKinley from 1897 to 1899. He was replaced during the Spanish-American War. The original home is still here and has had an auditorium added in 1962 and art wings added in 1977 and 1993. The original home building was donated by the Alger family to the Grosse Pointe War Memorial Association in 1949 and is an event venue. I'd like very much for someone to invite me to a wedding here! [Review 17980 overall - 373 in Michigan - 1501 of 2022.]l read more

Grosse Pointe War Memorial - Grosse Pointe War Memorial - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan

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Beautiful place to visit! We love attending events here and always enjoy the beauty that surrounds this area. read more

Grosse Pointe War Memorial - Les Braves II monument in the gardens behind the Alger House and the War Memorial. - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan

I've lived in Grosse Pointe my whole life and grew up routinely utilizing the Grosse Pointe War Memorial for numerous occasions. I have always had a wonderful time until recently. Their event coordinator, Nicole, was less than helpful throughout our entire family experience. We had a wonderful shower despite her in particular dancing around our engagement and agreed on price and the staff shuffling us out in a hurry. As a former service industry employee, I do hope she gets a little more experience in order to adequately perform the job and responsibilities required of her. read more

Just please such a wonderful part of my youth and college years. I had many school dances here through middle school. I had photos taken here for a wedding. I came here for friends wedding. I also have been here several times for Mother's Day brunch. This is an iconic place here in Grosse pointe and there isn't anyone in the area that doesn't know about it, if they grew up here. read more

Grosse Pointe War Memorial - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan

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Horrible food at work christmas party! Old Country Buffet would have been better. ABSOLUTE JOKE. FOOD WAS GROSS

The War Memorial is a great place to take classes. I took a belly dancing class this spring here and really enjoyed learning the art of belly dancing in a small class setting. In summer I look forward to the free concerts they offer. Its become a family tradition to picnic and enjoy the music and view. My new favorite do not miss concert is Neoclassical. They are very talented violinists with a sexy flare. Looking forward to seeing them again next year. read more

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What a beautiful venue! We were here for an ACG Detroit event and it was just lovely. Sweeping views of the water, lush gardens and courtyard, good service, good food. The chicken piccata was basic but yummy; veggies were perfectly cooked and the chocolate cake was fudgy and rich. A lovely place for a wedding or any event, really. read more

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This is a stunning facility. Took my wedding pictures here 9 years ago and it's still a beautiful location. The building exterior is well kept and the landscaping/gardens are so pretty, especially for picture backdrops. Recently I've been here for a few wedding showers and I was blown away by the food! Really, some of the best I've ever had at a shower. I want to host an event just so I can book this place and have the food! The large banquet room overlooking the water was recently renovated and is just beautiful. The servers I encountered during my visits were wonderful; very pleasant and accommodating. It is apparent they enjoy contributing to their customers' fine dining experience. read more

Absolutely stunning! I attended a wedding here recently (9-19-15), which also marked the first time that I've ever been to the Grosse Pointe War Memorial, though my husband, a Detroit native, had been here at least once before. I have to say that I was truly impressed, as was practically everyone else in attendance that evening. It's truly one of the nicest, if not the nicest, venues that I've seen used for a wedding. From the setting and the decor to the food and hospitality, pretty much everything was first rate. The grounds are beautiful, with an amazing view of the lake and well-manicured gardens behind the main buildings. For a wedding venue, it can't be beat. Talk about picturesque! The ceremony took place on the steps of the stately Alger House, with pictures being taken in the garden and near the water, for optimal effect. As soon as the ceremony (a quick, non-denominational process lasting about 15 minutes) ended, we were lead up the back steps into the Alger House, where we were promptly greeted by waiters offering us flutes of champagne as we entered the premises. Talk about a class act! While the service was beyond reproach, the food did not quite measure up to the same standards and was thus a bit of a letdown, but a small one. All meals were served hidden beneath silver cloches. We had three options for our plated dinners (vegetarian, chicken or steak) and my husband and I had RSVP'd for the vegetarian meals. We dined on a slightly odd mushroom-based dish, served with salad, rice, spinach, and rolls. Everything was plated to perfection, though my meal, while more than adequate, fell a little short in terms of flavor. I guess I was thrown by the large mushroom taking center stage on my plate. I was a little surprised to see that as my main entree because I was expecting a vegetarian pasta dish or something along those lines. The steak and chicken dishes did look amazing and everyone else at our table that ordered them seemed pleased. I was told the caterers here also baked the cake, an adorable four layered confection designed with swirls of "bleeding color" from top to bottom, that tasted delicious. As for the bar, those bartenders did a great job accommodating the diverse taste of the wedding guests. They were knocking out everything from Manhattans, Mojitos and Sidecars to Martinis, Cosmopolitans, Whisky Sours, and even the Old Fashioned and pretty much everything in between. Our crowd kept them on their toes, that's for certain. Their philosophy was "we don't work at the NO factory!" In other words, if anyone wanted it, they made it and to perfection. The wine and champagne selection also seemed a bit better than the average wedding, too. The decor was lovely and while Alger House was smaller than the Fries Crystal Ballroom that the bride originally wanted, it worked out well having the reception spread out between the rooms. I know that she was worried about how everything would run being spread across three major rooms, but it was fine. No one in attendance seemed to mind much. In fact, we were all commenting about how lovely everything was. All of the antiques, vintage feel and original architecture helped add to the ambiance. The only caveat, albeit, a tiny one: everyone at the wedding experienced the same glitch; we had virtually no cell service because of our close proximity to the water and therefore, the cell signals were blocked as we were so near Canadian waters (or so said my husband's nephew-in-law, who works at Verizon). The closer we were to the water, the worse it got, but we still were basically incommunicado even while seated at dinner. We had data, but photos wouldn't upload to Facebook while we were there, plus we had no ability to place or accept phone calls. I couldn't get my photos to upload until I was about a mile down the road! read more

Grosse Pointe War Memorial - Exterior of Grosse Pointe War Memorial- steps leading up to Alger House. - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan

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Beautiful facility but food has room for improvement. We were in town visiting for Mother's Day and had heard great things regarding their brunch event. The venue itself is gorgeous. Located on the lake, the seating has a surrounding view of the water. The grounds are kept up very nicely with beautiful landscaping. Every employee we came in contact with here were very helpful, friendly and courteous. I would say the setup for the buffet could have been better. Lines gathered in front of the kitchen doors. While we were there, a huge crash of drinks came down because of people standing in front of these doors. It didn't seem like they thought this out well. As far as the brunch menu and food, I was very disappointed. There was an omelet station, only a few different entree dishes to choose from, fresh made waffles and a dessert table. From the various selections I chose, the food lacked in great flavor. Supposedly I had chicken with a plum sauce. Honestly it tasted like ketchup. It was something I would want on grilled chicken. The omelet station didn't have a great selection of items for filling. No where could I find any bacon for omelets for even on the side of eggs. You would think bacon is a staple for breakfast. I would find another place to celebrate Mother's Day with better food. There are plenty around. read more

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My husband and I held our wedding reception in the ballroom (a year ago, this Saturday) - 08/15/08!!!! The food was delicious, the grounds were beautiful and the setting is perfect (overlooking Lake St. Clair). It is set back from the road so you are definately secluded from any traffic. For dinner, we served a split main course of beef tenderloin with bernaise sauce and tuscan chicken - very good. The prices are reasonable for the location - the prices are definately better than a place like Andiamo (for example). They provided a place for me and my bridesmaids to get ready, because we were being photographed there prior to the ceremony. We got to get ready in the Alger House (an old GP mansion). I loved our choice for a reception site, and you can even hold your ceremony there if you so choose. We opted for a church wedding. :) read more

Grosse Pointe War Memorial - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan

THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE MOTHER'S DAY BRUNCH ONLY. Beautiful grounds and venue, however the Mother's Day brunch was something that I will never go back to. For the money we paid ($16 for my 3 year old son!) I was expecting exceptional service and food. And we didn't get that at all. Our reservations were for 10:30am, the first seating. The email I received with the tickets stated to be prompt. We arrived at 10:20am and were told that not everything was set up yet. Please come back at 10:30am. Ok, so we walk around - good thing it was nice out and not raining like the forecast said earlier in the week. We arrive back at 10:30am and there are about 5 other families in front of us now. We get up to the hostess, it's assigned seating (I figured). We get sat at a table in the middle of the room. That's fine and all, but the tables are so close together that every time someone walked by me I got hit. With my prego belly I can't scoot any closer to the table! We sat at our table for a few minutes not knowing if we got our own drinks, or the wait staff. We also weren't sure if we could just go right up and get food, or we needed to wait to be called by the wait staff. So there we sat....a polite waiter came up about 5 minutes later and asked if he could get us anything or we would like to get it ourselves. I asked for a kids cup, he stated they didn't have any. Really?! Ok, then, I'll just take a small plastic glass for my toddler. Nope, only GLASS! So I chanced it - he did really well :) After we got our own drinks, we stood in line for food. First off there were no signs on anything. We basically had to take guesses on what everything was. I mean, yes, most was recognizable. But, not everything. Also, the buffet line was a one way street near the kitchen doors. And then with the tables right on top of the buffet it made for very little room. The chefs at the omelet station were very nice! He saw my prego belly and made sure everything was cooked thoroughly, even stating "Happy Mother's Day!" to me. The French toast was pretty plain, and the maple syrup almost seemed watered down. My husband and my father loved the prime rib and salmon - so 5 stars to that! After we were done eating we headed to the dessert table, which was out near the front doors. This was totally not set up and ready to go (let me just state that it was about 11:40am at this time!) People were trying to cut their own cake/pie, then a waitress noticed and came over and was helping. It was just slopped onto plates, and not even they knew what everything was - again with no labels. I asked "is this plain cheesecake?" The waitress responds "Yup, looks like it!" Got back to the table and it was LEMON cheesecake. Let me tell you, lemon does not do a pregnant lady's heartburn good. I would recommend a different place for Mother's Day Brunch. I know we will be going elsewhere next year. read more

I always feel like I'm walking into a parallel universe when I come here. I momentarily pretend that I'm living a fancy life. Maybe not so fancy as I'm able to pretend while at the GPYC, but still, a step or two beyond my usual social orbit. I've not been here too often, mostly for family and special occasions. Though it may seem like foreign land to me, there's no denying it's beautiful. The grounds are well-kept and green, and the view of the lake is soothing. The events I've been to here have always been well executed and comfortable. The only thing that I hope (for the sake of other veggies, now that I eat meat) is that they've improved their vegetarian meal options for receptions and events over the years. If you're looking to plan a truly special event in this neck the woods, and you have an ample budget, this may be your spot. read more

My friend's wedding and reception was held here in August of 2014, and it was a delightful experience. The entire memorial kept the old architecture, while maintaining a wide-open feel as you move from room to room. While the hallways are narrow and doors still creak from old age, the staff members were more than accommodating to the guests. The catering staff in particularly, were wonderful and hard-working. Be sure to catch the view in the courtyard, as it will sure be memorable in any event. Two reasons why it gets 4 instead of 5 stars. The AC was only enough in the cocktail room, but it was unbearable in the reception and dining area. We asked the staff members to turn up the AC around 4pm, and by the time 7pm came around (beginning of the dining/reception), the rooms were hotter than before. Secondly, the lack of bathrooms and cleanliness. There are two bathrooms near the first floor (single occupant), so once they are dirty, it goes downhill from that point. Overall we had a great time at the Gross Pointe War Memorial, even if a few of us guests wish we brought extra dress shirts, given how hot it was indoor. read more

Really great venue with an excellent events staff who made our wedding day perfect! So now let's take off the rose colored glasses (because afterall it was my wedding day...) There wasn't much flexibility in terms of the overall set up or run-of-show (we did both our wedding and reception here). It was rainy on and off all day, but the staff allowed me plenty of time the day of to make the call (inside vs outside). Glad the rain held and we were able to do it on the lawn. The library isn't nearly as lovely. At the reception (held in the Algier house), it was a really lovely atmosphere, but note that it is an old house so your reception will be in multiple rooms. This on paper didnt seem to be a big deal, but looking back on it, it was. The guests in the far room couldn't hear any of the speeches and had very little idea what was going on during dinner. bummer. This also wasn't mentioned to me as something to share with the DJ. I assumed that they'd be able to hear with the speakers in the main room. This was not the case. Both meat dishes that were served (salmon and tuscan chicken) were good and the staff was very accommodating of food allergies that half of america has these days. However, the artichoke veggie option was really weird. Literally a giant breaded artichoke on a plate. I'd suggest ordering something else. Setting was magnificent, price was right, and staff was very on point. Overall, a 95% venue. Docking points for: - Cramped quarters - Artichoke strange meal - No accommodation for sound system in 2nd room. read more

this mansion is pretty huge! donated by Russel Alger once he passed in honor of world war ii veterans. you have to be a veteran in order to host any kind of events here, so plan well. :) i was pretty impressed by this place. the building itself was beautiful!! well manicured lawn, two mini garden maze, historical artifacts, several rooms for lounging, beautiful water fountains... ohh and did i mention we were right off the lake? see pics. sigh. i'm going to find me a husband now. read more

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No air conditioning (they used 1-2 small floor fans in a 2500+ sqft room; stupid), no speaker system (couldn't hear hardly anything; there must've been only one quiet speaker), and HORRIBLE food (i.e. Prime rib cooked well done, FROZEN/thawed hummus with no flavor, etc.) This was a graduation ceremony for doctors! I wouldn't feed this food to dogs graduating from obedience school. read more

This is probably one of the best places I've had the not-pleasure of attending a memorial service at. If you haven't been, I will try and give the best back story I can. Grosse Pointe War Memorial is an old mansion that was converted into a World War II museum, as well as a beautiful banquet hall overlooking the Detroit River. It really is a sight to be seen. The catering staff who assisted in my Grandma Rachel's memorial service were terrific. They did nothing except give us the best service, help us with everything and make sure everything went amazingly smooth. Between how beautiful the property is, how amazing the house is, how great the views are, to how professional the staff is, I can't ask for more when it comes to a banquet-style place. read more

lovely venue, the staff came to help with all our needs. The setting, space and decor gave a lovely tranquil feeling and a timeless elegance. read more

I am taking a sewing class here. Really enjoy the class, it's small group (9 people), great instructor, very reasonable price, and excellent location. The premises are beautiful. I especially enjoy driving in along the long driveway that takes you to the building. It will look especially beautiful during the autumn. read more

OMG, The staff needs some work in customer service. Two years ago, I purchased 3 Mothers Day Brunch tickets for myself, wife and mother. That morning, my stepfather is rushed to the emergency room and my mother is stuck sitting around the hospital on Mothers Day. After visiting them in the hospital that morning, I took my wife to the Brunch. I explained that we had a ticket for my mother and weren't worried about a refund but could the kitchen please just throw a few items in a box for her to have when she got home from the hospital? I fully understand boxes are not allowed at a brunch buffet but I thought they would make an exception. The banquet manager said she would ask the chef but came back to say they wouldn't do that for my mother stuck in the hospital on Mothers Day. She took my info and said she'd refund the ticket but it was never credited to my account. The following year (2018), I called to buy three more tickets so my mother could have a nice Mothers Day. The lady on the phone takes all my info and says- oops, there's only two tickets left, not three. I explained how she had a ticket last year that she never used and why and she was really hoping to attend the brunch this year. The Lady tells me to just leave my wife at home!! Hundreds of guests that day with multiple seating's and they're telling me they can't find one seat for her?? read more

I attended a wedding here last month, and it was a lovely venue! It was a last-minute venue change for the happy couple, whose original venue flooded. The ceremony was in the back facing the building - I think it would have been nicer facing the water, but the building certainly isn't an eyesore or anything. The cocktail hour was around the front of the building in the circle drive, which is also very lovely (although not well-shaded and it was HOT, so everyone was dripping in sweat by the time the cocktail hour was over). The reception itself was a little odd - all the guests were divided between four different rooms - I get that it's an old historic building that was never intended for these purposes, but it was honestly a little off-putting to have flown in from across the country for this wedding and then have to eat in an entirely separate room from the bride and groom (although I suppose that says more about their seating chart choices than about the venue itself). The dance floor was fairly crowded, as the room that was in was quite small, but the lawn was open throughout so we were able to go outside for fresh air and watch the boats go by, which was very nice. read more

Imagine the excitement of signing up for an are class then after driving 40 minutes to the location only to find out that the class has been rescheduled for a later date three weeks out. And several students showed up and were not notified. One person advised the room was being painted, another that the instructor cancelled. So where is the truth. THEN imagine driving 40 minutes again for for the rescheduled class only to get a phone call 20 minutes prior to class starting, I was less than a mile away, that the entire course is now cancelled due to lack of enrollment. By the time I drove home, heading north in rush hour backed up traffic now, the class was no longer showing on the website, so of course someone knew what was going on, but didn't have the courtesy to notify the students at all. Huh, so would this be the reason for the first cancellation also? I was told that a full refund would be issued, but of course that hasn't happened yet. I will update my review as the story unfolds, but as of right now it apparent that the people that are being paid to run this program are falling very short, and not doing a very good job of it at all. read more

Our experience at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial was simply wonderful. The entire facility is beautifully appointed and well maintained, and the atmosphere is just right for a classy event. In the case of our relatively small wedding (100 guests), the library provided a perfectly intimate setting for our ceremony, and the Alger House was an ideal venue for our evening reception. The food was delicious, and the service was excellent. Our captain and his crew were friendly, professional, and extremely helpful over the course of the evening--many of our guests commented on how impressed they were by the quality and generosity of the staff, and we couldn't have agreed more. As soon as we expressed an interest in booking a date, we were greeted with open arms by everyone on staff, a feature of our experience which never wavered. Cheryl (our wedding coordinator) was on top of everything, and remained equal parts patient and flexible as she helped us through the planning process. From our first meeting with her to the moments before Meghan walked down the aisle, she was the consummate professional, and her support and guidance were an invaluable resource. Needless to say, we would strongly recommend the Grosse Pointe War Memorial to anyone seeking a wedding venue in the metro Detroit area. We cannot say "thank you" enough to the amazing staff for the vital role they played in our special day. read more

Had my wedding ceremony on the patio and reception in Alger House in June 2012. It was absolutely beautiful. I was worried about the set-up in the Alger House (had 80 guests) because there are 4 rooms but it was perfect and cozy. It was nice having dancing music separate from dining room for the older guests. To avoid the trouble of food choices with invitations (for sit down), we had chicken marsala for everyone and a vegetarian option. The service was great. Cake from Morning Glory in GP Farms was adorable and the best wedding cake I ever tasted. Wouldn't have changed a thing! read more