The history and ongoing innovative efforts of America’s premier motorcycle company will be part of the focus during a new program series, American Ingenuity: Embracing the Freedom to Dream this fall at the Lorenzo Cultural Center at Macomb Community College. The series explores those past and present who have made their mark through invention, innovation and entrepreneurship. National and local creations and developments will be featured, including a program, on Ford’s massive Rouge plant.
Enjoying the Ride: The Story of Harley Davidson will be presented at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 1. Inventerrific, which provides educational resources about American inventors that demonstrate creativity and ingenuity, will tell the story of America’s iconic motorcycle brand and its ongoing focus on innovation.
Motor enthusiasts will also want to attend the 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29 presentations on The Ford Rouge Plant: Innovation Then and Now. Cynthia Jones, manager of the Ford Rouge Factory Tour, overviews Henry Ford’s innovative approaches to manufacturing characterized by the plant and also focuses on the plant tour’s sustainable site design, Gold LEED award-winning architecture and educational programs as an inspiration for visitors to innovate in their own communities.
American Ingenuity runs Sept. 25 – Nov. 21 at the Lorenzo Cultural Center, located on Macomb Community College’s Center Campus, M-59 and Garfield, in Clinton Township. The exhibits are free, and there is no charge for the majority of the presentations, though advance registration is required.
The exhibits on display will include Kites to Kitty Hawk, which chronicles the kites and their inventors in the movement toward the goal of man-powered flight, and Yesterday’s Tomorrows, from the Smithsonian Institution Museum on Main Street Program, which showcases how Americans of the late 19th and early 20th centuries envisioned the future.
The Lorenzo Cultural Center is open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sundays. Additional information on the center and on the American Ingenuity program series is available at LorenzoCulturalCenter.com
Group visits are welcome during the series and may be arranged by calling 586.445.7348.
About the Lorenzo Cultural Center
The Lorenzo Cultural Center (LorenzoCulturalCenter.com) explores the influences and experiences that shape our community's heritage, examining topics from a variety of perspectives and creating interactive opportunities for learning, celebration and entertainment. Located on Macomb Community College's Center Campus, Hall and Garfield Roads in Clinton Township, the cultural center is adjacent to the Macomb Center for Performing Arts.
About Macomb Community College
Macomb Community College (macomb.edu) is one of the nation’s leading community colleges, providing learning experiences to more than 48,000 students annually. Macomb nationally ranks in the top two percent in the number of associate degrees awarded and as the largest grantor of associate degrees in Michigan. The college’s comprehensive educational programming includes pre-collegiate experiences, university transfer and career preparation programs, bachelor degree completion and graduate degree programs, workforce training, professional education and certification, and continuing education and enrichment opportunities.
Media contact:
Dan Heaton
586.445.7271
heatond@macomb.edu