Historic Ford Piquette Avenue Plant to Host Open House on Saturday, June 14

In the Spirit of the Ford Centennial, Birthplace of the Model T Will be Open To the Public and Feature a Special Display of Piquette-Built Cars and Early Detroit Autos

DETROIT, June 9 -- In the spirit of the Ford Motor Company Centennial, the public is invited to visit the historic Ford Piquette Avenue plant for a one-day celebration on Saturday, June 14. Piquette is recognized as the birthplace of the Model T. This landmark of industrial Americana is located at 411 Piquette Avenue, on the corner of Beaubien, in downtown Detroit.

The three-story, wood and brick structure was the first piece of commercial real estate owned by the then-fledgling Motor Company. The Piquette Avenue Plant is an incredible artifact of early Ford history -- down to its original, untouched paint and signage on the third floor.

Purpose-built in 1904, the Piquette Plant was in operation through 1910 and the original Ford Model A was assembled there, along with subsequent models B, C, F, K, N, R and S. Most significantly, the amazing Model T Ford was conceived, designed, developed and manufactured at Piquette from October, 1908 through January, 1910--before production moved to Highland Park.

Henry Ford's earliest ideas for the moving assembly line were also born on the corner of Piquette and Beaubien. Even the universally-recognized Ford logo-script is said to have originated at Piquette, reputedly from the pen of C. Harold Wills.

The Model T Automotive Heritage Complex, Inc. (T-Plex), the non-profit group dedicated to preserving and restoring the historic structure to its 1904-1910 appearance, will open the doors of the plant on Saturday, June 14 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM for the one-day event. Comprehensive tours will be provided by preservationists who will highlight Piquette's international and architectural significance, while exhibits on the plant's and the Detroit- area's place in automotive history will be featured. There will also be exhibits on the Model T and the station assembly process, along with associated slide presentations.

In addition, a unique display of Piquette-built cars and other, early Detroit autos will be featured on this special occasion. Examples of the 1903 Ford Model A, and Ford models F, K, N, R, S, and T are expected to be on hand. Other early, Detroit-area autos such as Brush, Cadillac, EMF, Flanders, curved-dash Olds, Wayne and Wills Sainte Claire are anticipated at the June 14 Open House.

Guests can also visit the new Piquette Plant gift area, and shop at the special automobilia boutique which is being arranged by YESTERDAY'S COLLECTION.

The Open House is free for donors to the Piquette Plant Preservation Project and T-Plex members. General admission is $12.00, and children under 12 are free. Ample, secure parking is available at no charge.

Ford Centennial operations has also indicated that Piquette will be an available tour option from June 12 - 16.

The Ford Piquette Plant is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a State Historic site. For more information visit www.tplex.org

(248)470-5788