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 …