Entry No. 29 — the Detroit file — filed under: black-history
William V. Banks Broadcast Museum & Media Center
A highly specialized archive housed in the original studios of WGPR-TV62, the first Black-owned and operated television station in the United States.
The story
Drive down East Jefferson Avenue through Rivertown and you could easily roll right past 3146 without a second glance. But in 1975, Dr. William V. Banks took over this space and built WGPR-TV62, making history as the very first Black-owned and operated television station in the United States. At a time when network newsrooms locked out Black journalists and directors, Banks constructed his own control room right here on the east side, giving local reporters, anchors, and technical crews the platform to report their own stories.
Opened as a dedicated museum on MLK Day in 2017, the space keeps the spirit of 1970s broadcasting intact. Walk onto the studio floor and you are standing inside the actual rooms where local news broadcasts and legendary Detroit dance shows hit the airwaves. You're surrounded by real relics of early independent media—vintage studio cameras, soundboards, and archival footage playing back the exact moments Detroiters turned on Channel 62 to see themselves reflected on screen.
What it's like
Expect a focused, hands-on dive into broadcast history inside the original low-slung building. You'll browse vintage camera rigs, historic photographs, and video stations screening archival clips of early news broadcasts and dance programs. Because operating hours can be tailored around guided tours and special events, you'll want to check their schedule or confirm ahead on their website before heading out to East Jefferson.
The move: Step into the vintage 1970s broadcast studios together and watch archival footage of local dance shows and news broadcasts that paved the way for Black media.
- 📍 Rivertown
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 3146 E Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI 48207
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Elmwood Cemetery — Drive less than a half-mile inland to walk through Detroit's oldest non-denominational cemetery and certified arboretum.
- The Heidelberg Project — Head a mile north into McDougall-Hunt to trade broadcast history for Tyree Guyton's open-air installation built from neighborhood artifacts.
- shelby — Head west into the Financial District after your museum tour to sip drinks inside a 100-year-old bank vault hidden beneath a coffee shop.
Good to know
Where is the museum located?
It is located at 3146 E Jefferson Ave in Detroit's Rivertown neighborhood, inside the original studios of WGPR-TV62.
Why is WGPR-TV historic?
Founded by Dr. William V. Banks in 1975, WGPR-TV Channel 62 was the first Black-owned and operated television station in the United States.
What will I see on a tour?
The museum features vintage 1970s studio production gear, historical artifacts, control room equipment, and video archives of Detroit news broadcasts and dance shows.
Do I need to check hours before going?
Yes, hours can vary and tours are often organized in advance, so verify current visitor schedules on their official website before you visit.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · michiganpublic.org · detroitnews.com
last checked: 2026-07-21