Historic Selma house on the road to the Henry Ford in Michigan
From the West Alabama Newsroom–
A piece of voting rights history from the deep south — is now on a 800 mile journey north to the Motor City.
“This house will have new life.”
Jawana Jackson watched as the house she grew up in — was lifted and moved — from the foundation it sat on — for over 100 years.
“The House by the Side of the Road” — now has begun a new chapter in its amazing story.
The historic house is being transported over 800 miles to Detroit, Michigan — to become a part of Greenfield Village at the Henry Ford.
“The Henry Ford is made up of 5 public venues. We have the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation which is our indoor campus. And then Greenfield Village which is our outdoor museum,” said Chief Operating Officer Brent Ott.
“So, we have over 83 historic structures. So, we get about 1.6 million visitors a year. We don’t move houses that often. As you can see here, it’s quite the undertaking to do.”
A convoy that included 4 state troopers — 2 escort vehicles — a bucket truck — security vehicles — and a film crew to document the move — took off Monday morning.
The historic house will have to travel through five different states — to reach its destination.
“Each day we put in for a permit for the process of moving it either through Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan. Each state has different requirements for its travel,” said Alec Jerome.
Jackson’s parents — Dr. Sullivan and Richie Jean Jackson — were close friends with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
They opened their home to Dr. King when he was invited to lead the Voting Rights Movement of 1965.
The house served as the headquarters for King and the leaders of the movement — to plan and strategize.
“The Henry Ford will be such wonderful stewards of this house,” said Jackson.
“Generations yet unborn will experience the Jackson House. And the history and the legacy that my family has left in this house. The house belongs to the world now.”
In Selma, I’m GM, Action 8 News.>
Crews remain on-site in Selma working to get the other half of the house — ready to be transported.
