The Story of Willow Run

During the summer, the Detroit Historical Society screens your favorite films from throughout the previous year. Films start at 1 p.m. so that you have time to explore the city on a Behind the Scenes tour before coming to the museum for a screening.

August 3 & 4

August 24 & 25

September 21 & 22

Running Time: 35 minutes

The idea for the Willow Run B-24 Bomber Plant was conceived by Henry Ford, who told the United States Government that he could support the aircraft production needs for the coming World War by building B-24s on a production line the same way Ford Motor Company built automobiles at the Rouge Plant. By the end of production, the sprawling Willow Run plant was rolling out one B-24 every 55 minutes, 24 hours a day. This is the story of that accomplishment as filmed by the Ford Motor Company in this original, 1945 black and white documentary.