MotorCities - uncategorised

Making Tracks chronicles the experience of African-Americans in the auto industry. As you explore the stories and support materials, please take time to reflect on the significant contributions over the last century of auto heritage. The individual profiles will highlight stories of ingenuity, creativity, leadership, and perseverance. Utilize the timeline and additional support materials as tools to gain more context about the time in which these events occurred and how they align with the national landscape.

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PHOTO CREDITS

Detroit Historical Society
Lincoln Motor Car Company / Ford Local 600 Women’s Auxiliary Workshop

Detroit Public Library, National Automotive History Collection
DeSoto Plant

Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
Michigan Central Station Passengers / GM Cadillac Sit Down Strike Pickets

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Formerly known as MotorCities At Home, we continue our series of programs featuring discussions of interesting automotive history topics.

We're Back! Join us Sunday, February 23, 2025 at 2 p.m. for an IN-PERSON program at the Michigan Military Technical & Historical Society in Eastpointe!

Michigan Military Technical & Historical Society

This museum is dedicated to preserving the stories of Michigan citizens who served and sacrificed, here and abroad, from World War I to the present. The 11,000 square foot museum exhibits the actual equipment, vehicles, weapons, uniforms and other artifacts from American conflicts. The program starts at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $3 and include admission to the museum, a presentation on the museum's history and collections by Chris Causley, and a tour. Reserve your spot by clicking here.

Check out our past programs on YouTube at the links below.

Past sessions:

"Mascots of Motion" with Steve Purdy
Friday, May 15, 2020 at 12 p.m. EDT
This presentation featured classic and collector car hood ornaments.
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube!
MotorCities At Home Steve Purdy RESIZED

"Billy Durant, Founder of General Motors" by Russ Dore
Friday, May 22, 2020 at 12 p.m. EDT
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube! MotorCities At Home May 22 RESIZED
"Cool Cars: Unique Automobiles of the Detroit Historical Society Collection" by Jeremy Dimick
Friday, May 29, 2020 at 12 p.m. EDT
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.
MotorCities At Home May 29 RESIZED

"R.E. Olds & the First Auto City" with Michael Rodriguez
Friday, June 5, 2020 at 12 p.m. EDT
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube. MotorCities At Home Word June 5 RESIZED
"Ford Motor Company & the Arsenal of Democracy" with Robert Kreipke
Thursday, July 9, 2020 at 12 p.m. EDT
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.
MotorCities At Home Word from Our Sponsor July 9

"Rosie the Riveter" with Alison Beatty
Thursday, July 16, 2020 at 12 p.m. EDT
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.
MotorCities At Home Word from Our Sponsor July 16

Southwest Detroit Auto Heritage Guide Panel
Thursday, July 23, 2020 at 12 p.m. EDT
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.

Timken Detroit Axle Company 1919 cropped RESIZED

"Famous Firsts: The History of the Packard Proving Grounds"
Thursday, August 27, 2020 at 12 p.m. EDT
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.
MotorCities At Home Roger Luksik August 27

"Ford's Incredible Letter Cars"
Wednesday, September 30 at 12 p.m. EDT
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.

MotorCities At Home September 23 RESIZED

"The Gilmore Car Museum: Miles from the Ordinary"
Wednesday, September 30 at 12 p.m. EDT
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.
MotorCities At Home September 30 RESIZED

"The Fort Street Bridge Interpretive Park: The What and The Why"
Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at 12 p.m. EST
Click to watch this panel discussion on YouTube.
Fort Street Bridge Park entry wall

"A History of Diversity at Ford Motor Company"
Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 12 p.m.
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.
MotorCities At Home February 24 2021 RESIZED

"Power Under Her Foot: Women Enthusiasts of American Muscle Cars"
Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at 12 p.m.
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.

MotorCities At Home Word from Our Sponsor March 24 2021

"A New Beginning at Ford House"
Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at 12 p.m.
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.

MotorCities At Home A Word from Our Sponsor April 28 2021

"A Stroll Through Stahl's Automotive Collection"
Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at 12 p.m.
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.

MotorCities At Home A Word from Our Sponsor June 23 2021 RESIZED

"The Michigan Firehouse Museum is Back"
Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at 12 p.m.
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.
MotorCities At Home A Word from Our Sponsor August 25 2021
"The Dodge Brothers: The Men Behind the Myth"
Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at 12 p.m.
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.

"Meet the Team Behind Making Tracks"
Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at 12 p.m.
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.

Making Tracks Mast Head 900 pixel width updated Feb 2011

"The Importance of Role Models for Women in the Auto Industry" Panel
Wednesday, March 23, 2022 at 12 p.m.
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.
March 2022 MCAH panel horizontal photos

"Detroit's Industrial Architect: Albert Kahn" with John Gallagher
Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at 12 p.m.
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.
MotorCities At Home May 25 2022

"Sloan Museum of Discovery: An Exclusive Sneak Preview" with Todd Slisher
Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at 12 p.m.
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.

MotorCities At Home A Word from Our Sponsor June 22 2022

"Pontiac's Transportation Legacy" with Terry Connolly
Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at 12 p.m.
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.
MotorCities On The Road A Word from Our Sponsor October 26 2022

"Walter Chrysler: His Company and His Life" with Russ Dore
Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at 12 p.m.
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.

MotorCities On The Road A Word from Our Sponsor November 16 2022

"Achievement: African Americans' Accomplishments and Contributions in Automotive" with Sarah Cook
Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at 12 p.m.
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.

MotorCities On The Road A Word from Our Sponsor February 22 2023

"Women in Automotive Design" with Carolyn Peters
Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 12 p.m.
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.

MotorCities On The Road A Word from Our Sponsor March 22 2023

"Disability Inclusion in the Automotive Industry" Panel Discussion at Services To Enhance Potential
Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at 12 p.m.
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.

Panel photo May 2023

During World War II, metro Detroit and the region encompassing our MotorCities National Heritage Area converted from the production of automobiles to the materials of war. Dubbed by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt as America's "Arsenal of Democracy," this region played a key role in helping the Allies win the war.

Beginning in 2020, in the midst of the national emergency caused by the spreading of COVID-19, many companies in Michigan once again responded to the needs of the country and converted to production of ventilators, masks, hand sanitizer and other products necessary to win this new fight. Many dubbed this new fight the "Arsenal of Health."

The production line at Willow Run Yankee Air Museum RESIZED 3 The bomber production line at Willow Run (Photo courtesy of the Yankee Air Museum)

To bring some perspective to our history and its relevance today, here are some resources from our MotorCities partners to help you learn more about our proud history as the Arsenal of Democracy.