Formerly known as MotorCities At Home, we continue our series of programs featuring discussions of interesting automotive history topics.
We're Back! Join us Sunday, November 10 for an IN-PERSON program at the Ypsilanti Auto Heritage Museum!
"Mascots of Motion" with Steve Purdy
Friday, May 15, 2020 at 12 p.m. EDT
This presentation featured classic and collector car hood ornaments.
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube!
"Billy Durant, Founder of General Motors" by Russ Dore
Friday, May 22, 2020 at 12 p.m. EDT
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube!
"Cool Cars: Unique Automobiles of the Detroit Historical Society Collection" by Jeremy Dimick
Friday, May 29, 2020 at 12 p.m. EDT
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.
"R.E. Olds & the First Auto City" with Michael Rodriguez
Friday, June 5, 2020 at 12 p.m. EDT
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.
"Ford Motor Company & the Arsenal of Democracy" with Robert Kreipke
Thursday, July 9, 2020 at 12 p.m. EDT
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.
"Rosie the Riveter" with Alison Beatty
Thursday, July 16, 2020 at 12 p.m. EDT
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.
Southwest Detroit Auto Heritage Guide Panel
Thursday, July 23, 2020 at 12 p.m. EDT
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.
"Famous Firsts: The History of the Packard Proving Grounds"
Thursday, August 27, 2020 at 12 p.m. EDT
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.
"Ford's Incredible Letter Cars"
Wednesday, September 30 at 12 p.m. EDT
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.
"The Gilmore Car Museum: Miles from the Ordinary"
Wednesday, September 30 at 12 p.m. EDT
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.
"The Fort Street Bridge Interpretive Park: The What and The Why"
Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at 12 p.m. EST
Click to watch this panel discussion on YouTube.
"A History of Diversity at Ford Motor Company"
Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 12 p.m.
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.
"Power Under Her Foot: Women Enthusiasts of American Muscle Cars"
Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at 12 p.m.
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.
"A New Beginning at Ford House"
Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at 12 p.m.
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.
"A Stroll Through Stahl's Automotive Collection"
Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at 12 p.m.
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.
"The Michigan Firehouse Museum is Back"
Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at 12 p.m.
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.
"The Dodge Brothers: The Men Behind the Myth"
Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at 12 p.m.
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube. 
"Meet the Team Behind Making Tracks"
Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at 12 p.m.
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.
"The Importance of Role Models for Women in the Auto Industry" Panel
Wednesday, March 23, 2022 at 12 p.m.
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube. 
"Detroit's Industrial Architect: Albert Kahn" with John Gallagher
Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at 12 p.m.
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube. 
"Sloan Museum of Discovery: An Exclusive Sneak Preview" with Todd Slisher
Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at 12 p.m.
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.
"Pontiac's Transportation Legacy" with Terry Connolly
Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at 12 p.m.
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.
"Walter Chrysler: His Company and His Life" with Russ Dore
Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at 12 p.m.
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.
"Achievement: African Americans' Accomplishments and Contributions in Automotive" with Sarah Cook
Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at 12 p.m.
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.
"Women in Automotive Design" with Carolyn Peters
Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 12 p.m.
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.
"Disability Inclusion in the Automotive Industry" Panel Discussion at Services To Enhance Potential
Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at 12 p.m.
Click to watch this presentation on YouTube.
During World War II, metro Detroit and the region encompassing our MotorCities National Heritage Area converted from the production of automobiles to the materials of war. Dubbed by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt as America's "Arsenal of Democracy," this region played a key role in helping the Allies win the war.
Beginning in 2020, in the midst of the national emergency caused by the spreading of COVID-19, many companies in Michigan once again responded to the needs of the country and converted to production of ventilators, masks, hand sanitizer and other products necessary to win this new fight. Many dubbed this new fight the "Arsenal of Health."
The bomber production line at Willow Run (Photo courtesy of the Yankee Air Museum)
To bring some perspective to our history and its relevance today, here are some resources from our MotorCities partners to help you learn more about our proud history as the Arsenal of Democracy.
Detroit: The Arsenal of Democracy Exhibit at the Detroit Historical Museum
Encyclopedia of Detroit -- Arsenal of Democracy
Encyclopedia of Detroit -- Willow Run
Interactive Arsenal of Democracy Map
10 Key Events from Historic Fort Wayne's History
Current Exhibits at the Yankee Air Museum at Willow Run
A Ford worker with a medical mask (Ford Motor Company) President Trump to Visit Ford Rawsonville Plant
Eastern Echo - May 20, 2020
How GM and Ford Switched from Building Vehicles to Making Medical Supplies
CBS News "60 Minutes" - April 26, 2020
General Motors CEO Mary Barra
From Vehicles to Ventilators, Ford & GM Take On Coronavirus
CBS News "60 Minutes Overtime" - April 26, 2020
Ford Motor Company Making Face Shields with Help from Sinai Grace ER Doc
Fox 2 Detroit - April 22, 2020
The Big 3 Versus COVID-19
DBusiness - April 21, 2020
Ford Making Masks to Protect Workers from COVID-19
Reuters - April 13, 2020
What Fiat Chrysler Is Doing in Coronavirus Fight
Detroit Free Press - April 11, 2020
GM Gets $490 Million Government Deal to Build Ventilators
Detroit Free Press - April 8, 2020
Big 3 Automakers Could Enlist to Produce COVID-19 Medical Equipment
Michigan Advance - March 20, 2020
I-96 Eastbound ramp to I-75 Southbound in Detroit
Drivers around the Michigan are likely to notice something new along the highways -- those familiar brown National Park Service signs with a message welcoming them to the MotorCities National Heritage Area! The first nine signs were installed in November and December 2019 and are the culmination of many years of work with the Michigan Department of Transportation. An additional five signs were added in the Spring of 2020 to bring the total to 14!
Westbound I-96 before US 127 near Lansing
You can find the signs at the following locations:
Eastbound I-96 near the I-69 interchange
Watch our most recent sessions:
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month w/Cindy Estrada of the UAW
Wednesday, October 12, 2022
Watch the October 2022 session here.
Building the Auto Industry: The History of Organized Labor
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
Watch the September 2021 session here.