Nankin Mills is featured in a short
online article posted on the MotorCities National
Heritage Area website.
Nankin Mills is a Great Place to Visit on a Cold Winter Day.
Area History
(including the Mill's Connection to Henry Ford), Snakes, Fish, a HUGE
Snapping Turtle Named Sue and More.
Stop by and
see what you think.
(See photos of our recent mill lighting and events on our
Facebook page. Then click to "Like us").
Nankin Mills
in Westland,
Michigan dates from 1842. Once a grist mill, it now serves as an interpretive
center and tells the area's cultural and natural history. The building
was once owned by Henry Ford who manufactured auto parts.
The Friends of Nankin Mills
has worked with
Wayne County Parks since 1987, to preserve this historic mill and ensure it
remains an important community resource.
Nankin Mills Interpretive Center is open
Monday - Saturday, 9 a.m.
4 p.m. Contact them at (734) 261-1990.
Local History Seminars
The Friends of Nankin
Mills is trying something new this year--free local history seminars for
adults that will take place at Nankin Mills. The first will be held on Feb.
4. Seats are limited and reservations are suggested. Call Carol at (734)
261-1850 to reserve a spot.
Marcus
Swift and the Local Underground Railroad
Saturday, Feb. 4, from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Mary Ann Wheeler, local historian and librarian and “Teller of Tales”, will
present a program from this fascinating period of our local history. Mary
Ann has thoroughly researched local abolitionist Marcus Swift and will share
stories with us about what she has discovered! Call the mill at (734)
261-1990 to reserve you spot. Questions about the seminar can be addressed
to Carol Clements, Parks Naturalist at (734) 261-1850.
2012 Nature Programs Nankin Mills
offers a variety of programs for students and organized groups, Scout troops and home schoolers,
as well as activities for families and individuals.
Here are the latest fliers:
Nankin Mills part of National Parks Passport Program
Stop
by the mill with your National Park passport and get it stamped. Nankin
Mills
is now one of 19 members of the Passport Program. Don't have a passport? No
problem. A limited number are available for $8.95 each.
This spiral-bound booklet
allows you to collect and store stamps available at National Parks and
Heritage Areas throughout the United States. The National Passport Stamp
Program was created in 1989. It is designed to serve as a log of the unique
experiences that a visitor encounters as they visit national parks,
landmarks and heritage areas across the country.
More information on where to get your passport stamped.
Did you know that Nankin Mills...
Was once owned by Henry Ford?
Now tells the natural and cultural history of the area?
Has a number of fish, reptiles and amphibians, including a large snapping turtle named Sue on display?
Provides a large number of interactive displays for kids?
Hosts a variety of programs and events for individuals, families
and groups year-around?
Nankin Mills Videos
The above
video was produced by The Ford Motor Company for Wayne County Parks and
provides information on history of the Rouge River and this mill. This video
can be viewed in the lobby of the Nankin Mills Interpretive Center.
The above video called "The
Story of the Little River" is from 1919 Unfortunately, there
is no commentary with it other than the information below that was posted by The Henry Ford
on YouTube:
Views
of several of Henry Ford's Michigan-based Village Industries along the
Rouge River. (The Village Industries concept allowed farmers to work in
a small local factory most of the year and also care for their farms.)
Opens with aerial view of the massive Ford Motor Company Rouge River
Plant and scenes of streams flowing through pasture land, followed by a
map showing the river and Village Industry plants in Nankin, Plymouth,
Phoenix, Waterford, and Northville. Includes Nankin Mills tool and die
employees; Plymouth employees with metal working machines; Phoenix
employees, including many women, creating small parts; Waterford
employees making and inspecting parts; and Northville employees making
valves for Ford engines. Closes with views of the activities of a
typical farm family.
This 8-minute video was
produced by a student at Madonna University three years ago. It tells the
story of Nankin Mills and makes nice use of the displays.
Did you know that
Nankin Mills...
Was once owned by Henry Ford?
Now
tells the natural and cultural history of
the area?
Has a number of fish,
reptiles and amphibians, including a large snapping turtle named Sue
on display?
Provides a large number of interactive displays for
kids?
Hosts a variety of
programs and events for individuals, families
and groups year-around?
If you have any
questions about about our group or the history of the mill, please
contact us at
Friends@nankinmills.org.
If you wish to
reserve a picnic area or have a
question concerning one of the Parks Department's activities or events, please call (734) 261-1990.
Click photos for larger view. Each photo shows two
cards.
The Friends of Nankin Mills has
boxed sets of note cards available with photos of Nankin Mills taken
around 1918, when Henry Ford purchased the mill. Each box contains
eight cards (four views) and nine envelopes. Inside of the cards is
blank.
Cost is $8.00, including postage. All proceeds benefit the mill. Please make
checks payable to Friends of Nankin Mills and send to: Friends
of Nankin Mills,
c/o Nankin Mills Interpretive Center,
33175 Ann Arbor Trail, Westland, MI 48185