Long before the Rouge and the moving assembly line, Henry Ford built the Model T in a plain brick factory on Piquette Avenue, and that building still stands. The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Museum occupies the 1904 factory in Detroit's Milwaukee Junction neighborhood, a U.S. National Historic Landmark and the place where, according to the museum, the Model T was created in the Secret Experimental Room in 1908. It is the opposite of a polished corporate museum, and that is its charm: wooden floors, tall factory windows, and cars parked where they were once built. Visitors can explore more than 65 rare automobiles at their own pace, among them Henry Ford's so-called Letter Cars, Model T conversions and other vehicles made in Milwaukee Junction, and can see Henry Ford's office and the Secret Experimental Room itself. Guided tours led by museum docents run about 75 minutes and begin with an 18-minute film. For car lovers this is the most rewarding stop in Detroit after The Henry Ford, and because it is small and personal, it is also the one that lets you ask questions and get real answers.
Hours and holidays
The museum is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays except for group tours by appointment. Its holiday closures include Easter, July 4, Thanksgiving Day, December 20 to 25, December 31 and January 1, and it is open on December 28 and 29.
Private, group and school tours can be booked by reservation on any day by phone. The museum also runs special events, such as an evening Motor City Origins tour covering the history of Milwaukee Junction that includes a bar, light bites, a presentation and a tour of the museum; check the calendar for dates.
Tickets and visiting
Advance tickets are handled through a will-call list rather than physical or digital tickets, so you receive a confirmation email and give your name on arrival. You can choose a self-guided visit or a guided tour; first-time visitors who care about the history will get the most from the guided tour, which explains how Ford changed manufacturing and puts the cars in context. The museum is in an old industrial neighborhood a short drive north of downtown, so a car or rideshare is the practical way to reach it.
Pairing it
Spend the morning here and the afternoon at The Henry Ford in Dearborn, and you will have seen the beginning and the sweep of the story. Car enthusiasts, history lovers and photographers will be happy for two hours; younger children may enjoy the cars but will tire of the guided talk. Pair it with a coffee or lunch in Midtown or at Eastern Market.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided look at more than 65 rare early cars in a 1904 factory, or a docent-led tour of about 75 minutes that opens with an 18-minute film.
Best time
A Wednesday to Sunday morning; the guided tour is the best way to see it the first time.
How long
About two hours with a guided tour, a little less self-guided.
Tips
Check holiday closures, book ahead and use a car or rideshare since the building is in an industrial neighborhood.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Car lovers and history fans who want the Model T story at its source.
- Families
- Fine for school-age children who like cars; the guided talk suits older ones best.
- Couples
- A quiet, knowledgeable morning followed by lunch in Midtown.
- Pair with
- The Henry Ford in Dearborn, or the Corktown and Michigan Central walking tour.
- Time needed
- Two hours.
Good questions
When is the Piquette Plant open?+
Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is closed Monday and Tuesday except for group tours by appointment, and on several holidays.
Is this where the Model T was made?+
The museum says the Model T was created in its Secret Experimental Room in 1908, in Henry Ford's original Model T factory, built in 1904.
How long is the guided tour?+
About 75 minutes, beginning with an 18-minute film and including time for questions.
What will I see?+
More than 65 rare automobiles, including Henry Ford's Letter Cars and Model T conversions, plus Ford's office and the Secret Experimental Room.
Do I get a ticket for advance bookings?+
Advance bookings use a will-call list. You receive a confirmation email and check in by name.
