Packard Proving Grounds
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  • Home
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    • Location Map
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      • Event Site Visit
      • Historical Tour – Small Groups up to 10 people
      • Historical Tour – Groups larger than 10 people
  • About Us
    • Packard Proving Grounds
    • Board of Trustees
    • Packard History
  • Events
    • Event Calendar
    • Packard Weddings
    • Shelby Farmers Market
  • Get Involved
    • Donate
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The Packard Proving Grounds Historic Site is rich in Detroit’s automotive history

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LODGE
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REPAIR GARAGE
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POWER HOUSE 
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CARRIAGE GARAGE
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TANK TEST CENTER
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ELEVATED WATER TANK
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HANGAR
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TIMING STAND
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GROUNDS

Improvements & Ongoing Projects on the Grounds

LodgeRepair GaragePower HouseCarriage HouseTank Test CenterElevated Water TankHangerTiming StandGrounds
  • Lodge SE Before
  • LodgeSEafter
  • Lodge Garage NW Before
  • Lodge NW After
  • Lodge Garage Interior Before
  • Lodge Interior After
  • Lodge East Before
  • Lodge East After
Next Previous
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Lodge – Repairs & Updates

Chimney Repairs
Electrical
Garage Lights
Plumbing
Heat
Interior & Exterior Restoration
Garage Doors
Storm Windows
Fire Suppression
Occupancy Permit

Repair Garage – Repairs & Updates

Interior & Exterior Restoration
HVAC
Electrical
Plumbing
Garage Lights
Hold & Serve Area
Restrooms
Storm Windows
Fire Suppression
Garage Doors
Roof
Chimney Repairs
Gift Shop /  Tool Crib
Occupancy Permit
  • Repair Garage SE Before
  • Repair Garage SE After
  • Repair Garage Before
  • Repair Garage After
Next Previous
Play Pause
  • Power House After
  • Power House Before
Next Previous
Play Pause

Power House – Repairs & Updates

Interior & Exterior Restoration
Relocation of Site Offices

Carriage House – Repairs & Updates

Interior & Exterior Restoration
HVAC
Restroom
Garage Doors
  • Carriage Garage Before
  • Carriage Garage After
Next Previous
Play Pause
  • Tank Test Before
  • Tank Test After
Next Previous
Play Pause

Tank Test Center – Repairs & Updates

Interior & Exterior Restoration
Roof
Vehicle Maintenance
The Vault
The Library
Restroom
Garage Doors
Windows
Fire Suppression
HVAC
Displays
Occupancy Permit

Elevated Water Tank – Repairs & Updates

Paint
Packard Logo Stencil
  • Hangar Before
  • Hanger After
Next Previous
Play Pause

Hanger – Repairs & Updates

Footings & Floor
Relocation
Paint
Repair & Coat Roof
Interior Restoration
Occupancy Permit

Timing Stand – Repairs & Updates

Interior & Exterior Restoration
Lighting
Displays
  • Timing Tower Before
  • Timing Tower After
Next Previous
Play Pause

Grounds – Repairs & Updates

Parkways Outside Gates
Parkways Inside Gates
Main Gates
Front Wall Gate
East Half of Property
West Half of Property
South Property
Trees
Fences
East End Walls
South Property Wall
LED Sign

The mission of the Packard Proving Grounds Historic Site

is to continually develop and evolve the buildings, grounds and displays to be an educational and entertaining resource to keep the memory of Packard Motor Car Company (“PMCC”) alive and PPG relevant through events, community activities and tours; all enhanced by displays of Packard motor cars and other relevant historical artifacts.

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How it started

  • 1997

    Packard Motor Car Foundation was founded

    by a group of officers and trustees of the Packard Club (Packard Automobile Classics) as an Ohio non-profit corporation. It was intended to allow donors a way to make tax-deductible contributions to a variety of Packard-related projects.

  • 1999

    The PMCF became focused on the preservation of the former Packard Proving Grounds in Shelby Township, Michigan

    In this effort, under the leadership of President Becca Kuehl, the PMCF supported a group of Michigan-based Packard enthusiasts who were mobilizing to preserve a portion of the famous Proving Grounds which had been slated for demolition.  Through extensive negotiations with the owner of the site—Ford Motor Land Development Corporation—the most historic portion of the Proving Grounds was saved.

    1999

  • 2001

    Foundation reincorporated in Michigan as a non-profit corporation

    and the Board of Trustees changed significantly.

  • 2002

    Foundation took possession of the 14-acre site

    which included the building complex, and a section of the former test track.  The aircraft hangar was moved from the track infield onto this site. The preservation, rehabilitation, and adaptive reuse of the former Proving Grounds is now the main focus of the Foundation.

    2002

  • 2002

    The site is now recognized on the National Register of Historic Places and is a State of Michigan historic site.

    It seems that almost anyone who visits the site becomes taken with the buildings and the automotive, aviation and Arsenal of Democracy history of the site.  The Foundation officers and trustees were fortunate to recruit a dedicated group of local volunteers which has grown in size and commitment over the years.

  • 2017

    The site has grown to approximately 17 acres of land

    and has become a multi-use facility and destination for events ranging from car shows to weddings and corporate events to a farm market.  Visitors are treated to educational tours of the facility which has broadened the awareness and support of the Proving Grounds far beyond the Packard collectors who started the effort.

    2017

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Our Plan

The Packard Proving Grounds, managed and supported by the Packard Motor Car Foundation, a 501(3)C nonprofit Corporation, will fulfill its mission through engaging activities such as, but not limited to, the following:

  • Historically accurate restoration of the PPG buildings and grounds

  • Displays of Packard automobiles and memorabilia throughout the PPG

  • Conduct and host educational seminars

  • Provide public access to digital materials covering all things Packard

  • Displays highlighting Packard’s role in WWII’s great American Arsenal of Democracy

  • Engage and grow partnerships with local schools and colleges for automotive, restoration, and architectural programs by providing hands on experiences at the PPG

  • Partner with state and local government on multiple levels to support the community and create awareness of the PPG as part of the Pure Michigan campaign.

  • Partner and leverage synergies with various museums; collections; automobile, aviation, and marine clubs; historical re-enactors; and historical societies to engage the general public through combined events with interactive displays to provide greater historical context and meaning for our guests.

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Packard Proving Grounds Historic Site Logo

The Packard Proving Grounds Historic Site is owned by The Packard Motor Car Foundation & is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. It is funded by foundation grants, individual & corporate contributions, service groups & events. All donations to The Packard Motor Car Foundation are tax-deductible to the full extent permitted by law.

Where to find us

Packard Proving Grounds
49965 Van Dyke Ave
Shelby Township, MI 48317

(586) 739-4800 – Site

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Curious about weddings held on the PPG grounds?

 

PackardWeddings.org

Packard Weddings Logo - Visit PackardWeddings.org

Check out the farmers market that’s held on the front lawn of the PPG, May through October, on Saturdays 9 am – 2pm

ShelbyFarmersMarket.org

Shelby Farmers Market Logo

 

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