Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Museum Tour
On Wednesday, October 25th, BCD members and guests toured the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Museum - birthplace of the Model T - in downtown Detroit. Over 60 early Ford vehicles are on display there. This is the only museum that displays every alphabet model of Ford cars together in one location. (Ford Models B, C, F, K, N, R, S, and T were assembled here.) BCD member and one of the founding members of the Piquette Plant, Mike Skinner, gave us a private tour. We learned so much from him. Most of us met for lunch before the tour at Z’s Villa down the street. Great food and service.
Mike had us pose here. This Ford is for photo ops. The other 60 gorgeous vehicles were to be admired but not touched.
Mike Skinner stands by one of his own Ford treasures that is on loan to the museum. Mike is one of the founding members of the Henry Ford Heritage Association, the historic Ford Piquette Plant and the Piquette Model Ford Club. He is THE “Model volunteer and organizer” personified!
The photos on the left and right were taken at the room that reproduces (in the exact same spot) where a lot of the ideation was generated. Henry Ford would write out on the blackboard what he wanted produced, and his machinists and engineers would work on his ideas. Mike told us that Henry Ford was known to have sat in a rocking chair to contemplate and to direct his team.
Volunteers have worked for years restoring the exterior and interior of this historic building. Loft apartments are being constructed next door.
Of course, there were Ford race cars on display as well. The yellow one is on loan from Mike.
Henry Ford’s office is reproduced in detail at the museum (center photo). Mike also had automotive books for BCD members to peruse and purchase.
We are so grateful to Mike Skinner for providing our members with a private tour. If you missed this, keep in mind that you can visit the Piquette Plant Museum - Wednesdays to Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It is also available for private parties. Such a beautiful and interesting venue!
For additional information please visit the website at fordpiquetteplant.org