Nankin Mills Nature Center facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nankin Mills Nature Center |
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| Location | 33175 Ann Arbor Trail, Westland, Michigan |
| Built | 1863 |
| Governing body | State |
| Designated | March 11, 1967 |
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The Nankin Mills Nature Center is a cool place in Westland, Michigan, where you can learn about history and nature. It started out as a mill that ground grain, and it was part of Henry Ford's special "village industries" idea. This historic building became a Michigan State Historic Site in 1967, meaning it's an important place to protect!
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What it Looks Like
The Nankin Mills Nature Center is a building that's two and a half stories tall. It's built in a style called Greek Revival, which means it looks a bit like old Greek temples with its simple, grand design. The outside walls are made of wood siding called clapboard. There's also a porch that runs along the front of the building.
History of the Mill
Early Days as a Mill
The very first mill on this spot began being built in 1835. But the work stopped for a while. Then, in 1842, a new owner finished the building. He put in a large water wheel that turned to power the mill. A small town even grew up around the mill, and people called it Pike's Peak. Besides the mill, this little community had a blacksmith's shop, a printing shop, a general store, and even a post office.
Sadly, the first mill burned down during the American Civil War. The building you see today was built in 1863 by Samuel Hardenbergh. Later, in 1887, a new owner named Isaac Martin Lewis bought the mill. He made it even better by replacing the old water wheel with a more powerful machine called a turbine.
Henry Ford's Village Industries
In 1918, the famous car maker Henry Ford bought the mill. He had a special plan called the "Village industries" program. Ford wanted to help farmers earn money during the winter when they couldn't work on their farms. His idea was to open small factories in rural areas.
So, Ford changed the mill building into a small factory. In 1920, about twelve workers started making screws for Ford's cars there. Nankin Mills was the second "Village Industry" factory to open. Later, in 1927, Ford changed what the factory made. It started producing engravings and stencils, and at one point, about 70 people worked there!
Becoming a Nature Center
Even though Henry Ford's idea was interesting, the Village Industries factories didn't make much money. After World War II, the factory at Nankin Mills closed down.
In 1948, Henry Ford gave the building to the Wayne County Road Commission. They fixed up the mill, and in 1956, it opened as a nature center! This meant people could come and learn about the local plants and animals. In the mid-1980s, Nankin Mills also became the main office for the Wayne County Park System. A new part was added to the building in 1999, and in 2001, the original mill building reopened as a place where visitors could learn all about its history.
