Visiting Jeanette's Brother.
Trip Start
Jun 04, 2010
1
72
100
Trip End
Sep 08, 2010
Where I stayed
House Guest of Larry Lopez
Saint Clair Shores, Michigan
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
After Breakfast Larry took us to Hamtramck, a Polish community/city right in the middle of the city of Detroit. Hamtramck (pronounced /hæmˈtræmɨk/) is a city in Wayne County of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 22,976. Hamtramck is surrounded by the city of Detroit except for a small portion of the western border that touches the similarly surrounded city of Highland Park. Hamtramck is named for the French-Canadian soldier Jean François Hamtramck who was the first American commander of Fort Shelby, the fortification at Detroit.
Hamtramck was originally settled by German farmers, but Polish immigrants flooded into the area when the Dodge Brothers plant opened in 1914. Poles used to make up a large proportion of the population. It is sometimes confused with Poletown, a traditional Polish neighborhood, which used to lie mostly in the city of Detroit and includes a small part of Hamtramck. As of the 2000 census, over 22% of Hamtramck's population is of Polish origin; in 1970, it was 90% Polish.
Over the past thirty years, a large number of immigrants from the Middle East (especially Yemen) and South Asia (especially Bangladesh) have moved to the city. As of the 2000 census, the city's foreign born population stood at 41%, making it Michigan's most internationally diverse city
We went to the Polish Art Center, a local institution in Hamtramck. I made a few purchases for mementos. The art center was a large gift shop with everything from Poland. There were two big rooms filled with shelves of gift items. Then we headed to the New Palace Bakery where I found some great Polish cookies. We were treated to a great personal tour around the city of Detroit, the Eastern Market area, Cobo Convention Center, Joe Louis Arena, a couple of Casinos, the expansive Medical facilities and the enormous Wayne State University among the many places we passed.
On the way to our next destination we stopped off at Larry’s house and dropped off our purchases and then we were off to Edsel and Eleanor Ford House for lunch.
Lunch in the Cotswold Café is a quaint place. We were seated in the café in what looked like a green house. The cafe provides a refreshing atmosphere to enjoy fresh entrees, sandwiches, soups, salads, daily specials and delectable desserts. Tour admission is not required to have lunch in the café located in the Activities Center.
The tour of the home starts from the Activity center by getting on a bus. The home is preserved and open to the public through the generosity of Eleanor Clay Ford. It remains as a witness to the past, as part of the history of the area and as an enrichment in the lives of future generations. The 60 room house was magnificent.
The Fords built their home as a place where they could integrate their family's activities and interests with global business responsibilities and concern for the local community. The home, its contents and grounds, along with the legacy left by the Fords, all reflect the important role that design excellence played in the family's lives.
Since opening to the public in 1978, hundreds of thousands of visitors have visited Edsel & Eleanor Ford House to marvel at the extraordinary home and collection of original antiques and art; and to stroll the 87-acres of beautiful lakefront grounds.
The home is a stunning example of elegance and grace from a remarkable bygone era of history where families dressed for dinner every night. The children came home from school looking for mom to let her know that were there and it was important that the family bonded with respect for each other. Larry having worked for the Ford Company for many years was a great tour guide around the grounds. He has so much knowledge about the Henry Ford family background he became our own personal tour guide.
Back at Larry’s house we listened to some Louis Armstrong Jazz and relaxed. Oh, yes I snacked on a couple of the Polish cookies I purchased earlier today. Yum! Oh yes, our gracious host brought out some more wines.
God bless folks who still try to keep some of the bygone era values in today’s living structure. We have lost so much in our fast paced lives that I worry about future generations surviving.
Comments
Hi... you two love birds! Larry and I totally enjoyed our visit with you! In fact, I do hope you visit again when I am around more. I returned from visiting my family out in Rock Springs, WY and Larry had a copy for me to read of all your transcriptions. Love you both, and do visit again. We are looking forward with excitement to seeing you in CA. Hugs!!!