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- Henry Ford outside Ford Motor Company Nankin Mills Plant, circa 1921 - In the early 1920s, Henry Ford set up small-scale factories throughout southeast Michigan. These "Village Industries" employed local residents -- ideally farmers who could maintain their farms when not working at the factory -- and supplied Ford with tools and vehicle parts. Nankin Mills was one of the first plants. The converted gristmill initially made screws and later became a stenciling plant for Ford.
- circa 1921
- Collections - Artifact
Henry Ford outside Ford Motor Company Nankin Mills Plant, circa 1921
In the early 1920s, Henry Ford set up small-scale factories throughout southeast Michigan. These "Village Industries" employed local residents -- ideally farmers who could maintain their farms when not working at the factory -- and supplied Ford with tools and vehicle parts. Nankin Mills was one of the first plants. The converted gristmill initially made screws and later became a stenciling plant for Ford.
- Ford Village Industries Nankin Mills Plant, 1932 - In the early 1920s, Henry Ford began locating small hydroelectrically powered plants in rural southeast Michigan. These "Village Industries" employed local people who could maintain farms while working at the factory. This Westland-area plant opened in an old flour mill in 1921. Workers here produced tool and die work and performed special engraving and defense experiment work during World War II.
- May 24, 1932
- Collections - Artifact
Ford Village Industries Nankin Mills Plant, 1932
In the early 1920s, Henry Ford began locating small hydroelectrically powered plants in rural southeast Michigan. These "Village Industries" employed local people who could maintain farms while working at the factory. This Westland-area plant opened in an old flour mill in 1921. Workers here produced tool and die work and performed special engraving and defense experiment work during World War II.
- Village of Inkster Welfare Provision Report, circa 1936 - During the Great Depression, Ford Motor Company made efforts to improve living conditions in Inkster, Michigan, a primarily Black community hit especially hard by the economic crisis. Ford repaired homes, paved streets, established a medical clinic, and opened a low-price commissary. Improvements were funded through involuntary paycheck deductions from Inkster residents employed at Ford's nearby Rouge plant.
- circa 1936
- Collections - Artifact
Village of Inkster Welfare Provision Report, circa 1936
During the Great Depression, Ford Motor Company made efforts to improve living conditions in Inkster, Michigan, a primarily Black community hit especially hard by the economic crisis. Ford repaired homes, paved streets, established a medical clinic, and opened a low-price commissary. Improvements were funded through involuntary paycheck deductions from Inkster residents employed at Ford's nearby Rouge plant.
- Diary of Joshua A. Clayton from March 21, 1845 to January 31, 1847 - Joshua Anderson Clayton chronicled nearly two years of his life in this personal diary from the 1840s. Clayton was a minister who served congregations in Plymouth, Nankin, Northville, and other southeast Michigan communities. His diary recounts the baptisms, weddings, and funerals he officiated and sermon scriptures he selected. Other events, such as important local elections and trials, also appear in his writings.
- 1845-1847
- Collections - Artifact
Diary of Joshua A. Clayton from March 21, 1845 to January 31, 1847
Joshua Anderson Clayton chronicled nearly two years of his life in this personal diary from the 1840s. Clayton was a minister who served congregations in Plymouth, Nankin, Northville, and other southeast Michigan communities. His diary recounts the baptisms, weddings, and funerals he officiated and sermon scriptures he selected. Other events, such as important local elections and trials, also appear in his writings.
- Democratic Party Presidential Election Ballot, Nankin Township, Michigan, 1864 - During the mid-1800s, Americans used preprinted ballots to vote. Political parties printed and distributed these ballots, sometimes through local partisan newspapers. These ballots listed candidates only from a single party -- so everyone knew who you voted for. Bold voters could scratch out or paste over names. This ballot was used in 1864 by Nankin Township, Michigan, Democrats to vote for George McClellan.
- 1864
- Collections - Artifact
Democratic Party Presidential Election Ballot, Nankin Township, Michigan, 1864
During the mid-1800s, Americans used preprinted ballots to vote. Political parties printed and distributed these ballots, sometimes through local partisan newspapers. These ballots listed candidates only from a single party -- so everyone knew who you voted for. Bold voters could scratch out or paste over names. This ballot was used in 1864 by Nankin Township, Michigan, Democrats to vote for George McClellan.