Join us for the 2008 Annual Conference
Detroit, Michigan
June 25 - 29

Auto history highlights Detroit conference
By Donna Remer

It was a landmark idea for Henry Ford: Create a self-sufficient operation to produce the automobiles that were changing life in the United States.

He bought limestone quarries and iron mines in northern Michigan. He bought coal mines in Kentucky. He even bought a rubber plantation in Brazil.

All of it fed his massive operation at The Rouge, which included 93 buildings with 120 miles of conveyors that rolled out one new car every 49 seconds at the peak. The Rouge had its own power plant, 100 miles of railroad track, a fire department and a hospital.

Visiting this historic auto production facility will be a highlight of the ISWNE annual conference in Detroit this year, June 25-29. Tours of the complex are offered through The Henry Ford, which also operates the world-famous museum at Greenfield Village.

A tour of The Rouge complex and the new Dearborn Truck Plant is more than a walk along an assembly line. It’s a five-part excursion.

On the bus, we will drive by many Ford-related landmarks such as the Dearborn Proving Grounds (formerly Ford airport), Ford Engine plant, Tool and Die plant, Stamping plant, Boat Slip and raw material storage area, the Battle of the Overpass monument and more.

Once we arrive at the Visitor Center, we’ll watch a three-screen film presentation on the history of Ford Motor Company and the ideas that gave birth to the Rouge Plant.

Next up is the Art of Manufacturing Theater, a 360-degree multisensory presentation about how vehicles are made. Not only will we see what’s inside the plant, but we’ll feel, hear and smell it as well. Then, it’s up the elevator for a bird’s-eye view of the factory complex. There you can see the environmentally inspired innovations that create energy efficiency and the 10.4-acre “living roof” that not only insulates the building, but also purifies rainwater and produces oxygen.

Finally, we’ll enter the Dearborn Truck Plant, a one-third-mile stroll along an elevated walkway overlooking the floor of one of the world’s most innovative and progressive assembly lines. It’s the home of the Ford F-150 truck. Finally, in the Legacy Gallery, we can get an up-close look at some of the most legendary vehicles made at the Rouge.

To explore another aspect of Detroit history that changed the world, we will tour the Walter P. Reuther Library of Labor and Urban Affairs with director Mike Smith. The library, a short walk from our residence hall on the Wayne State University campus, has been awarded the 2008 John Sessions Memorial Award for its online resource: “No Greater Calling: The Life of Walter P. Reuther, 1907-1970.”

The American Library Association offers the John Sessions Memorial Award to libraries or library systems that have recognized the history and contributions of the labor movement toward the development of the United States.

“We are especially proud of this honor because it acknowledges our commitment to providing access to the archival record of the American labor movement — a founding principle of the Walter P. Reuther Library,” Smith said. “This award is particularly special for us since it also honors the 100th anniversary of the birth of Reuther, one of our nation’s great labor leaders and, of course, the namesake of our institution.”

The Web site includes a biography of Reuther, more than 600 of the best photographs of Reuther in a searchable database, print and audio speeches, and a teachers' guide for the fifth through eighth grades that meets state and national classroom standards. Check it out ahead of time at www.reuther.wayne.edu.

Also a close walk, in the heart of Detroit’s Cultural Center, is the Detroit Institute of Arts where we will hear a presentation on the Diego Rivera murals.

When Rivera was commissioned in 1932 to paint them in the DIA Garden Court, the only stipulation was that they relate to the history of Detroit and the development of its industry, according to art historians at the DIA. Most of the mural is based on Rivera's study of The Rouge. The DIA considers the “Detroit Industry” murals to be “the finest example of Mexican muralist work in the United States.” Rivera was asked to paint just two of the largest panels but he was so impressed by Detroit and the Ford Motor Company's River Rouge industrial complex that he suggested painting murals on all four walls, according to the DIA. The project took eight months.

Dr. William Valentiner, director of the museum from 1924 to 1945, brought Rivera to Detroit for the project which was funded by Edsel Ford, then president of the Detroit Arts Commission. Rivera included portraits of both in his mural.

I know you will enjoy the murals and the other exhibits at the DIA when you come to Detroit for the conference.

Of course, we will have the editorial critique sessions, and Tim Waltner has agreed to lead them this year. We are planning an ethics session and other workshops for busy editors. Sandra George and I are still firming up those details, but this will give you a taste of what to expect. We’ll keep you informed.

Meanwhile, I hope you will fill out the registration form and join us in Detroit. You won’t be disappointed!

Attendees will stay at Wayne State University
By Donna Remer

While in Detroit, you will be staying on the campus of Wayne State University.

We will be staying in the university’s newest residence hall, The Towers. The 11-story building opened in fall 2006 and it has great views as far as the Ambassador Bridge and overlooks of the campus. The rooms are suite style, with four, single-person bedrooms attached to a shared living space. Each suite has a full bath and a separate lavatory. All linens are provided.

Each floor has a study, which will be reserved for us, as well as an open, two-story kitchen/lounge area with panoramic views. Meal choices at the residence hall are extensive. The dining room is set up with separate serving areas for stir-fry, deli sandwiches, pizza, a grill, salad bar and vegetarian meals. Your choice.

The residence hall and dining area offers free, wireless Internet connections. The Towers is adjacent to Wayne’s student center, where fast food options are available as well. A coffee shop and bookstore are also nearby.

Parking will be available in a university parking structure across the street from the residence hall. There is a fee for parking, so let us know ahead of time if you are bringing a car.

We will be using a university “One-Card” for meals, parking and entrance to the building. The Towers has a reception desk that is staffed 24-7.

Wayne State University is Michigan's only urban research university. Wayne State's 11 schools and colleges offer more than 350 major subject areas to our 33,000 graduate and undergraduate students.

The campus encompasses 203 acres with landscaped walkways and gathering spots, linking 100 education and research buildings. Wayne has a law school, a school of medicine and two theatres that showcase student performances. Of course, it also offers a journalism program and the head of that department, Ben Burns, is judging our Golden Quill contest this year.

WSU is located in the heart of the Detroit Cultural Center, the home of the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Public Library, the Detroit Historical Museum, The Charles Wright Museum of African American History, the Detroit Science Center and the International Institute…all within easy walking distance.

If you want to go downtown, you’ll need to take public transportation or drive. Some of you might want to see city hall after Detroit’s mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick, was on national news shows this week. The Wayne County prosecutor is investigating the apparent amorous relationship with Chief of Staff Christine Beatty. One local station has been calling the story “Sex, lies and texting.” Apparently they left a trail of amorous text messages.

It made national news when Kilpatrick’s wife went on camera to let all of us know how much she loves her husband. Kilpatrick said it caused him to have a “very difficult” conversation with his 12-year-old twin boys.

I don’t think we’ll get an inside track on this one at the conference…the mayor has now banned reporters from city hall and one television newsman says he took a “knee to the groin” from Kilpatrick’s security staff while trying to get an interview. Stay tuned.

A better reason to go downtown in your free time: The Tigers will be in town.