I am super excited about this blog post. Out of all the places I’ve visited, this major US metropolis provided the best surprises. When I tell people that this city should definitely be on everyone’s US destination list, most look at me wide eyed before saying, “Really?” And that’s when I say,
“Yes, really”.
And the winner is —-
Detroit, Michigan. Yes, you’re reading it right.
Detroit, aka Motor City. Come along on my tour and I’ll show you why.
When my dear Uncle Pete passed away during the height of Covid 19, his children, cousins Eric and Kristen, wisely waited until things got safer before having his Memorial service. When Eric called to say that the service would be held on Sept 23, 2021 ( what would have been my mother’s 91st birthday), I quickly made plans to attend. Detroit has always held fond memories for me.
My grandfather, Adolf Jorgensen, immigrated from Denmark to Detroit in the mid 1920’s. A mechanical engineer, he first worked as a draftsman in Detroit to improve his English. He then spent his engineering career working for General Motors. He built a lovely Tudor home on Rutland Road where he and my grandmother. Ellen, raised their two daughters; my mother Else and her younger sister Grete.
Besides visiting the better known Henry Ford Museum, I made plans to see the Piquette Plant Museum located at 461 Piquette Avenue in downtown Detroit. Finding the lesser known museum on Tripadvisor, I knew Pete and I had to visit the birthplace of Henry Ford’s Model T. It is noted to be the oldest surviving auto factory left in the world. Virtually unchanged since 1904, you can actually step into the top secret room where Henry Ford first drafted his Model T. Each automobile on display carries its own interesting history. Our tour guide did an excellent job of explaining how the first cars were built by hand at this plant. The tedious process later became improved at the Highland Park plant where Ford's assembly lines were first installed.
At the Henry Ford Museum located in Dearborn, Michigan (a 15 minute drive from Detroit's International Airport), you will be blown away by seemingly miles of exhibits dedicated to the preservation of all things transportation.
You’re going to find it all here, fast cars, gorgeous cars, Presidential cars, first planes,
and trains.
To my delight, the museum also preserves iconic Americana relics like an original Holiday Inn motel room, an original McDonald’s sign, and a the 1959 VW Westfalia, noted to the "the first van camper".
As you travel through motor history, it’s one blast from the past after another. One particular thrill seeing on display my most favorite car ever, looking exactly as it did when built –
The 1968 Mercury Cougar (my Uncle Pete owned one).
The Henry Ford museum also displays the infamous rocking chair Abraham Lincoln was sitting in when shot on April 14, 1865 at the Ford Theater in Washington DC ( Henry Ford bought the chair in 1929). The chair is on permanent display.
Detroit has a storied history. It’s common knowledge that the city has gone through tough times but in the last 15 years, Detroit has made a huge comeback. I suggest renting a car and taking in the sites in and around the city such as Belle Isle Park, downtown Detroit (filled with incredible Art deco architecture), and Cranbrook House and Gardens.
I’m rooting for Detroit. Its problems are similar to my beloved Philadelphia. I love how the city is embracing its past while moving forward in the 21st century. Upon writing this article, I read that the old Studebacker plant located across from the PIquette Building is being rehabbed into apartments. Fabulous! I am looking forward to visiting Detroit again soon to enjoy the city’s continued progress.
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