The birthplace of the Model T was damaged by strong winds during a storm Wednesday night, Sept. 2, in Detroit.
Part of the decorative brick parapet along the roof of the historic Ford Piquette Avenue Plant broke off and fell to the ground, said Jill Woodward, president and CEO of the museum.
The damage occurred overnight, she said. No one was injured.
The parapet, which Woodward described as the "crown" of the building, featured decorative brickwork dating to the plant's construction in 1904.
"For us, it's just completely tragic to have that happen," Woodward said.
About a dozen volunteers came to the museum on Thursday, Sept. 3, to collect and preserve whatever was left of the original bricks that fell from the building. Woodward said the museum still
has a small supply of historic bricks, but not nearly enough for the repairs.
A restoration firm that has previously worked with the museum installed a waterproofing membrane over the damaged area to protect the building from further damage.
Woodward called it a "temporary fix until we have a permanent fix."
"But whenever your building seal is open to the elements, then you're gonna have worse problems than you started with," she said.
The temporary protection came just in time, as another storm moved through the area Thursday, Sept. 3, while many were still recovering from the previous night's severe weather.
A Detroit building inspector visited the site and issued a correction order requiring the owner to obtain an assessment from a state-licensed structural engineer, according to David Bell, director of the Buildings, Safety, Engineering, and Environmental Department. The assessment will determine whether the remaining walls are structurally sound or need to be secured or braced.
Woodward told the Free Press that a structural engineer is assessing the damage, with a report expected around Tuesday.
Although the damage appears repairable, Woodward said restoring the 122-year-old building will require historically appropriate materials and specialized craftsmen.
"We're a community-based museum; we're not affiliated with the Ford Motor Company. You know, it will be an expensive fix, and you have to source original material to replace it; you have to hire craftsmen. It will take time and money," Woodward said.
The nonprofit museum is already working on an elevator and restroom project, adding to the financial challenge of repairing the storm damage.
"We don't use any modern techniques when we're restoring a building like this," Woodward said. "This is what preservation is."
Despite the damage, the museum remains open for Labor Day weekend.
"We have people that travel here from all over the world to see this place. We've had visitors from 77 countries and counting," Woodward said.
The museum is also preparing to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of the Model T on Sept. 27, with free Model T rides for the community from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The nonprofit museum accepts donationsto help support its preservation work.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Historic Ford Piquette Plant damaged by storm in Detroit
