Passport to Manchester

912 City Road,Manchester MI 48158

28 August, 2021

Description

Ford Industries in Manchester: Henry Ford’s Conversion of Historic Water-Powered Mills to Industrial Production Locations: Manchester Village Hall (912 City Road, Manchester) and Sharon Mills, partnership with WCPARC (5701 Sharon Hollow Road, Manchester) Learn about Henry Ford’s Village Industries, which Ford developed across rural areas of Michigan, while visiting two such sites at Manchester Village Hall and Sharon Mills. Examine artifacts and equipment, tour the facilities, and hear from historians about Ford’s philosophy and the success (or not) of the plants, as well as from local residents who worked at the Manchester plant including Abraham Cohan and his family, the first known Jewish settlers in Manchester in the 1930's. Jewish influenced music will be presented by local violinist Henrik Karapetyan. Fun fact: Ford chose old mill sites as the base for many of his Village Industry plants due to his admiration for water as a clean and almost inexhaustible source of power, and his desire to stimulate the economies of small towns similar to where he had grown up. Advanced Registration Recommended This event is supported in part by the Manchester Area Historical Society, Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, National Endowment for the Arts, and Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation. Agenda 10:00 - Assemble in lobby of Manchester Village Hall - former turbine room of the Ford plant 10:10 - Brief remarks by Riverfolk and MAHS 10:15 - History of Ford Village Industries concept and conversion of former mill into the Ford plant - Ray Berg and Pat Vailliencourt, followed by walking tour through library (former manufacturing area) and brief view of mill race and dam structure 11:00 - Leave for Sharon Mills plant 5701 Sharon Hollow Road, Manchester 11:20 - Arrive at Sharon Mills, meet inside for tour and demonstration of water power equipment (Cary Church) 11:45 - Serve lunch in pavilion, order through ticketing or purchase on site. $10 Fresh Forage Boxed Lunch. 12:00 - musicians perform Henrik Karapetyan 12:45 - brief talk on Ford works at Sharon Mills, followed by walking tour of grounds, viewing of historic plaques - plan to end formal talks/tours around 1:30, guests can linger and review materials and discussions with hosts as desired until 2:00. Additional demonstrations: Ford Model Vehicles on display in parking lot and local Manchester artist prints for sale. Riverfolk's mission is to engage the community in music and arts experiences, which nurture creativity and promote cultural diversity.  The Riverfolk Music & Arts Organization exempt from Federal income tax under section 501c(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.