Fedora, 1920-1940

According to our records, the hat belonged to Henry Ford.Born in 1863 on a farm in what is now Dearborn, Michigan, Henry Ford parlayed a youthful aptitude for engineering into a career as an automotive innovator and founder/president of Ford Motor Company. Among his ideas were the introduction of the first moving automobile assembly line, affordable pricing, fair wages for employees, and the vertical integration of manufacturing processes from raw materials to the finished product. His many phil…

Suit of Coat, Vest, and Trousers, about 1920-1940

According to our records, the suit belonged to Henry Ford.Born in 1863 on a farm in what is now Dearborn, Michigan, Henry Ford parlayed a youthful aptitude for engineering into a career as an automotive innovator and founder/president of Ford Motor Company. Among his ideas were the introduction of the first moving automobile assembly line, affordable pricing, fair wages for employees, and the vertical integration of manufacturing processes from raw materials to the finished product. His many phi…

Cloche, 1920-1925

Cloche, about 1922

Girl's Dress, 1915-1920

This lovely, loose-flowing Arts and Crafts-inspired dress belonged to Alleen Kelly Feiss and is the only truly higher-style Arts and Crafts girl's dress in The Henry Ford's collection.The Arts and Crafts-style decorative embroidery is quite distinctive.

Service Hat, 1918-1920

Dr. Frank J. Sladen (1882-1973) graduated from Yale University in 1902, and Johns Hopkins University in 1906.Following his schooling, he also served his internship and residency at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore until 1912, when he became their chief resident physician.During that time his research included blood coagulation, and the use of meningitis and diphtheria antiserums.Dr. Sladen came to work at Detroit General Hospital in 1913 as the Chief of Medical Service.After Henry Ford took over the f…

Shoes, 1920-1930

It is likely that Mrs. Firestone used these shoes for travel, walking or casual wear in the 1920s. Born in Decatur, Illinois in 1897 Elizabeth Parke married Harvey S. Firestone Jr., son of Firestone Tire and Rubber Company founder Harvey S. Firestone, in 1921.Once described by a friend as, "the most luxurious woman in the history of luxury," Elizabeth Parke Firestone's clothing collection illustrates her impeccable taste in fashion.

Shoes, 1920-1930

Comfortable dress pumps worn by Elizabeth Parke Firestone in the 1920s. They were surely custom made to match a specific dress, now gone. Born in Decatur, Illinois in 1897 Elizabeth Parke married Harvey S. Firestone Jr., son of Firestone Tire and Rubber Company founder Harvey S. Firestone, in 1921.Once described by a friend as, "the most luxurious woman in the history of luxury," Elizabeth Parke Firestone's clothing collection illustrates her impeccable taste in fashion.

Shoes, 1920-1940

These shoes strongly resemble "jigs" or " gillies"-- a Scottish shoe made for dancing. This is more of a street shoe than the typical gillie. They were likely worn for casual wear or travel.Born in Decatur, Illinois in 1897 Elizabeth Parke married Harvey S. Firestone Jr., son of Firestone Tire and Rubber Company founder Harvey S. Firestone, in 1921.Once described by a friend as, "the most luxurious woman in the history of luxury," Elizabeth Parke Firestone's clothing collection illustrates her i…

Shoes, 1915-1920

These are one of the earliest pairs of shoes we have in our collection from Mrs. Firestone. They are one of the few ready-to-wear pairs in the collection. Most of her shoes were custom made to match specific outfits. She wore an identical pair in ivory silk satin to her wedding.Born in Decatur, Illinois in 1897 Elizabeth Parke married Harvey S. Firestone Jr., son of Firestone Tire and Rubber Company founder Harvey S. Firestone, in 1921.Once described by a friend as, "the most luxurious woman in …

Women's white kid pumps from the early twentieth century

This pair of woman's white kid pumps have high vamps trimmed with kid-covered buckles. Label: R.H. Fyfe & Co., Detroit.

Women's white satin pumps from the early twentieth century

A pair of woman's white satin pumps with a pointed toe, and curved heel. Pointed toes. The instep is decorated with white satin, clear glass beads, and five rhinestones. Label: Kline's, St. Louis, Kansas City, Detroit, Cincinnati.

Women's high laced, black kid shoes from the early twentieth century

This pair of woman's high laced, black kid shoes has Cuban heels. They are lined with white cotton. Lynn, Mass. Grover Comfort Street Shoe. Sole is stamped: Grover, Combination Comfort Shoe. Right shoe has tag: Frank and Seder Co., of Detroit. Original price tag of $8.95.

Navy crepe maternity dress from the early twentieth century

This navy crepe women's maternity dress has long sleeves with cuffs, is gathered at the waist by an elastic and has navy blue floss embroidered trim. The top is collarless in front and has an 8" collar in back. The dress is fastened by several sets of hooks and eyes around the waist band. The ankle length skirt has a flying panel at the front attached to a yoke band, and the peplum is attached at the back. There is a 24" band around the waist which hooks under the flying panel in front.

Women's silver pumps with rhinestone buckle from the 1920s

A pair of woman's silver pumps with a flap in the front that is covered by a large square rhinestone buckle. The shoes have a rather pointed toe. Label: McBryde Boot Shop, Detroit.

Women's high laced, white suede/buck sports shoes from the 1920s

A pair of woman's high laced, white suede/buck sports shoes. Their tops are plain, and the shoes are embellished with a perforated strip design, and have leather soles, and low stacked leather heels. Large size. Never worn. One inch heel. Label: Frank Brothers Fifth Ave. N.Y. Date of 4/26/20 on left sole.

Women's dark brown satin pumps from the 1920s

A pair of woman's dark brown satin pumps, with a band of light brown satin that runs across top of shoes and down each side. The front flaps are covered with large steel bead buckles on front. 2 1/2" high heel. Label inside B. Siegel and Co., Detroit.

Women's gray kid high laced shoes from the 1920s

Woman's gray kid high laced shoes. Chunky heels. Label: Wm. E. Hintz, 1520 Broadway, Detroit, Mich. Hintz was listed as a custom shoemaker in the 1923 City directory. Came with gray moire "toe-fillers" to keep the shoe in shape. One gray moire zipper shoe bag with black silk separator for each shoe. Note: Broadway St. was called Miami until 1907. In 1920 all street numbers in the city were changed, and 1520 was among those new numbers.

Women's wine color, two piece wool suit from the early twentieth century

Woman's wine color, two piece wool suit, having a three quarter length coat/jacket with a large square collar of wine velvet that is edged with black fur. The coat/jacket's sleeves are tightly fitted with wide cuffs of velvet and fur to match the collar. Additionally, the fitted coat/jacket has a loose flap-like peplum, and three pleats at each side of the waist. Dark, plain wood buttons are down the front of the jacket and serve as a decoration on the peplum, and at each side of the back. …

Black and white check cotton maternity dress from the 1920s

Woman's black and white check cotton, maternity dress. It has elbow-length sleeves trimmed with attached cuffs of white barred lawn that have embroidered black yarn dots, two rows of hemstitching, and are piped with the black and white cotton. An attached half belt snaps in front. The dress has a patch pocket on each side of the skirt front. Each pocket is trimmed with a flap similar to the cuffs and collar. Label: The Matinee.