Curated Sets

The experts at The Henry Ford have carefully created these curated sets. Explore a specific topic or theme, drawn from our vast collections.

The Long March to Voting Rights

In 1965, all eyes turned to Selma, Alabama, as the next stage in the fight for civil rights. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and other activists planned a series of marches from Selma to Montgomery to draw attention to the continued struggle for voting rights for Black Americans.

Influencing Fashion

Magazines and catalogs have encouraged a desire for fashion since the late 19th century. Serving as style guides, they spread news of trends to those eager to keep up with the latest looks. Though high fashion might be out of reach for some, looking stylish is not.

Jackson Home: The House by the Side of the Road

The Jackson Home, originally located in Selma, Alabama, provided refuge and solace for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and others who worked, collaborated, strategized, and planned the Selma-to-Montgomery marches of 1965. The marches led to the signing of the Voting Rights Act on August 6, 1965, enshrining voting equality for all Americans as law.

African American Artists and Craftspeople in the Collections of The Henry Ford

This selection of artifacts explores a diversity of creative expressions from the Black American community.

"How Long?": Revisiting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and His Legacy

The life and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are often hidden behind the replaying of a few memorable lines from his "I Have a Dream" speech. In fact, Dr. King's real story--from unknown Baptist minister to American civil rights leader to international human rights spokesperson--is deeper, more subtle, and more complex.

Explore Our Curated Sets

Curated sets
The Long March to Voting Rights
23 Artifacts
In 1965, all eyes turned to Selma, Alabama, as the next stage in the fight for civil rights. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and other activists planned a series of marches from Selma to Montgomery to draw attention to the continued struggle for voting rights for Black Americans.
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Curated sets
Melvin Parson: Market Gardener and Social Entrepreneur
22 Artifacts
Melvin Parson, founder of We The People Growers Association, was the Spring 2019 Entrepreneur-In-Residence at The Henry Ford, funded by the William Davidson Foundation Initiative for Entrepreneurship. In the following interview clips, Parson — fondly known as Farmer Parson — shares his journey and mission towards securing equality and social justice through urban farming, comparing it to taking a seat at the table as a full member of society.
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Curated sets
Influencing Fashion
14 Artifacts
Magazines and catalogs have encouraged a desire for fashion since the late 19th century. Serving as style guides, they spread news of trends to those eager to keep up with the latest looks. Though high fashion might be out of reach for some, looking stylish is not.
Read More
Curated sets
Jackson Home: The House by the Side of the Road
18 Artifacts
The Jackson Home, originally located in Selma, Alabama, provided refuge and solace for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and others who worked, collaborated, strategized, and planned the Selma-to-Montgomery marches of 1965. The marches led to the signing of the Voting Rights Act on August 6, 1965, enshrining voting equality for all Americans as law.
Read More
Curated sets
Mourning and Memorialization
9 Artifacts
There are myriad ways that we honor and preserve the memory of those we hold dear. Below is just a small sampling that shows how Americans have mourned and memorialized, from the colonial era until today.
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Curated sets
America's Canal Era
34 Artifacts
In the early 19th century, Americans looked to canals for transportation. Artificial waterways carried people and goods over long distances with minimal power, extending water-borne commerce from seaports to inland communities. But canals were expensive to build and maintain, and floods, droughts and freezing weather interfered with operations. Railroads offered a better alternative and brought an end to America's canal era.
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Curated sets
Mercury
23 Artifacts
Ford Motor Company introduced Mercury for 1939. The mid-price make fit neatly between the economical Ford and the extravagant Lincoln, and it broadened the company's product range to better compete with General Motors and Chrysler. In the decades that followed, Mercury offered distinctive sedans, station wagons, muscle cars, and minivans. But the 21st century brought slowing sales and shifting priorities, and Mercury was discontinued in 2011.
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Curated sets
Posters from the Golden Age of the Circus
19 Artifacts
Between 1870 and 1930, the circus was one of the most popular forms of American popular entertainment. Showmen like Phineas Taylor "P.T." Barnum, James Bailey and the Ringling brothers traveled across the United States and the world. They brought death-defying stunts, exotic animals, and fun to audiences everywhere. This collection of circus posters highlights the many facets of the Golden Age of the circus.
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