As Michigan and the nation says goodbye to Congressman John Dingell this week, MotorCities also says farewell and thank you to our champion.
In his more than 59 years of service in the U.S. Congress, John Dingell championed influential legislation to support all sectors. He authored and co-sponsored the Automobile National Heritage Act in 1998 to create what is now the MotorCities National Heritage Area.
Dingell retired in 2014, and passed the torch to his wife, Debbie, who now represents his district in Congress. In 2015, he was the inaugural recipient of the MotorCities Milestone Award, recognizing all of his contributions. Since the creation of the heritage area, Dingell was its most vocal advocate imploring the organization to work to tell the story of the region and its people.
Rest in peace, John, and know that you served your state and nation well!
John and Debbie Dingell are pictured this past July at Fair Lane, the Home of Henry and Clara Ford, where they were interviewed for MotorCities 20th Anniversary.
If you're in Detroit for the North American International Auto Show, business, pleasure or a special event, there are incredible historic sites that tell the story of the automotive industry and labor movement. There are a number of places within walking distance, by hopping on the Detroit People Mover or by taking a short drive:
1 Hart Plaza
Hart Plaza is an outdoor, urban recreation area on the Detroit River Front featuring the iconic ‘Transcending’ monument dedicated to the labor movement and strength of the men and women who built Detroit.
General Motors Renaissance Center
400 Renaissance Center
The Renaissance Center complex is a group of seven interconnected skyscrapers in downtown Detroit that serves as the global headquarters for General Motors.
America's Motor City exhibit at the Detroit Historical Museum
5401 Woodward Ave
Located in Detroit's bustling Cultural Center, the Detroit Historical Museum is one of America's oldest museum sites showcasing the Motor City's rich automotive and local history. The museum has regular hours open the public in addition to special events.
Diego Rivera Murals at the Detroit Institute of Arts
5200 Woodward Ave.
The Diego Rivera murals (pictured at the top of this page) at the Detroit Institute of Arts is a powerful interpretation of the area's auto and labor history completed using 27 fresco panels between 1932-1933. In 2014, the murals were given National Landmark status. Take in the famed work along with other incredible displays at the DIA during regular museum hours.
Detroit Public Library
5201 Woodward Ave.
The Detroit Public Library is home to the National Automotive History Collection, which features nearly 40,000 images commemorating automotive heritage. The digitized special collection features photographs of automobiles, industry leaders, races, reliability tours, auto shows, factories, roads, highways, gas stations, repair shops, etc.
Ford Piquette Avenue Plant/Milwaukee Junction
461 Piquette Ave.
The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant serves as one of the historical footings for the Ford empire as Henry Ford's Model T was born in the restored building at the corner of Beaubien and Piquette in downtown Detroit. Surrounding the Piquette Plant, a bustling automotive community formed in the area called Milwaukee Junction. Many early auto manufacturers built factories within Milwaukee Junction such as Fisher Body, Cadillac, Studebaker, Packard, Regal, Dodge and others.
Fisher Building
3011 W. Grand Blvd.
Built just before the Great Depression and financed by the Fisher family, Detroit’s Fisher Building stands as an ornate and grand landmark from the heyday of the automotive industry. The Fisher Brothers started as carriage builders in 1908 before turning toward manufacturing parts for early automobiles. The family eventually sold the business to General Motors and used funds from the sale to finance construction of the building.
Boston Edison Historic District
Between Linwood and Woodward, east/west; and between Boston and Edison, north/south
The Boston Edison neighborhood once served as home to Detroit’s power brokers such as Henry Ford, the Fisher family, James Couzens, Walter P. Reuther and Joe Louis. Take self-guided tour of one of the Detroit’s most famed and historic neighborhoods by visiting the website: historicbostonedison.org.
Beyond Detroit
For more sites that commemorate Michigan's rich and unique automotive heritage, click here take a look at the MotorCities interactive map.
