Description

Before it was Selfridge Field, there was Joy Aviation Field—a bold experiment in early 20th-century industrial aviation by Henry Bourne Joy, president of the Packard Motor Car Company. In 1915 he acquired over 600 acres along Lake St. Clair in Harrison Township to test Liberty aircraft engines. This engaging presentation, led by Steve Mrozek, will unravel how that effort led to the government leasing the field in 1917, its transformation into Selfridge Army Aviation Installation, and its enduring role in American aviation history. Perfect for military history buffs, Packard fans, and anyone who loves uncovering Michigan’s industrial past.