Henry Ford’s Bomber Plant at Willow Run has recently been in the news as the site for a new expanded Yankee Air Museum as well as the present home for the American Center for Mobility, ACM, where autonomous vehicle testing is conducted.

Its wartime story was recently told in an original play, “Willow Run”, presented at the Purple Rose Theater, and in several regional events honoring the thousands of Rosie the Riveters who worked there and at other WWII factories.

OLLI’s day trip itinerary will start with a partial viewing of “The Willow Run Story” movie on the trip to the Yankee Air Museum’s temporary home. A presentation will be made by Museum staff on the plans for the expansion of and moving their historical exhibits to a saved portion of the original Bomber Plant.

A catered buffet lunch at the Museum will follow a presentation by Claire Dahl, a “Tribute Rosie” sharing stories of many Rosies that served as the primary work force at the Bomber Plant.

After docent-led tours of the Museum’s exhibits, an overview presentation on the Willow Run facilities of the American Center for Mobility will be made before boarding the coach for a driving tour of the actual testing areas of the ACM and the new location of the expanded Yankee Air Museum.

The remaining portion of the Willow Run movie will be shown on the return trip to Ann Arbor.

The price of the trip includes bus transportation, lunch, snacks, gratuities, tour, and museum fees.

This trip for those 50 and over will take place on Friday, May 10 from 8:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., however you must register for the trip early and there are no refunds without replacements inside 30 days of trip departure.

Please see the OLLI Web Site for additional information.