- Wayne State University Digital Collections

Wayne State University; Buildings; Old Main

Circa 1940s. Two veterans in uniform walk toward the entrance of Old Main. Malcomson and Higginbotham, 1896. Originally Central High School, Old Main is Wayne State’s place of origin and now a university icon. The stately Romanesque Revival composition is softened by the buff-colored brick.

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…

Shoes, 1935-1940

This is one of the few pairs of high heeled shoes in our collection that date from the later 1930s. Mrs. Firestone likely had them custom made to match a specific outfit, 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…

Long Nurses Uniform

Long nurses uniform, woven grey cotton, long gathered sleeves, front bodice panel, and pleated skirt. White trim on collar, cuffs, and apron. Button closure on apron and large pockets. Tag on garment reads ‘Ruth Elenor Heidtman’. Mainbocher brand, circa 1940-1949.

Evening Coat with Pastel Print

Evening tent style coat, woven fabric, ecru background with large pastel floral (?) print. Split side hem, long sleeves, collarless, no front closure, gusseted underarms. Circa 1940-1959.

Princess Style Coat

Women’s lined princess style overcoat with white and sepia brown hounds tooth pattern. Wide collar, marble buttons on front, pockets, and sleeve cuffs. Circa 1940-1969.

Silk Taffeta Dress with Jacket

Blue silk taffeta dress and matching jacket. Dress has spaghetti straps, gathered waist, and ruffled hem. Jacket has heavy ruffles around cuffs, as well as around neckline, front of jacket and hem. Bill Blass, circa 1940-1959.

Pink Brocade Corset

Pink cotton and rayon brocade corset with boning, hooks, and fasteners. High waist with back lacing closure. Circa 1940-1949.

Knee Length Lace and Chiffon Dress

Knee length dress with cap sleeves, in black, with white lace inset panel in front and large white lace collar. Circa 1940-1949.

Packard dealership, Dallas, Texas, 1940

8x10 black and white Packard Co. file photograph of a Packard dealership, front of building, crowd of people at door, "Packard" above door. Inscribed on photo back: Packard Motor Car Co., branches/dealerships/agencies, 2300 Ross Avenue Dallas, Texas, exterior, show windows left to right; 1940 Packard 110 or 120, eighteenth series, model 1800 or 1801, 6/8-cylinder, 100-120-horsepower, 122/127-inch wheelbase, convertible coupe (body type # 1389/1399), special furniture display.

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…