Henry Ford Village Industries with Jerry Franchina

The Village Industries were small-scale factories in towns throughout southeast Michigan that employed local residents and supplied parts, tools, and equipment for Ford’s massive industrial operations. One of the closest to Dearborn is the famous Nankin Mills along Hines Drive.

Jerry Franchina bio

Jerry Franchina grew up on the east side of Detroit practically in the shadows of Dodge Main. Although he never worked in the automotive industry, his passion for Ford and automotive history was seeded by stories he had heard from family members about his great-grandfather, grandfather and other family members who worked at the Ford Highland Park and Rouge plants.

Jerry is a graduate of Wayne State University with a B.S. in Pharmacy and has an MBA from
the University of Detroit. He retired in 2019 after working 42 + years in hospital and corporate pharmacy practice in the Metro Detroit Area.

Jerry and his wife Livia have been married for 43 + years. She grew up in Dearborn and also had many relatives who worked at the Rouge. Sharing the same passion for Henry Ford, she frequently volunteers for the HFHA. They have two grown sons who are history buffs and are also interested in all things related to Henry Ford.

Jerry is the newest member of the HFHA speaker’s bureau and is currently a Historic Presenter at the Ford Rouge Factory Tour where he loves talking with visitors about Henry Ford, his life, and his legacy.