Old school: U-M in History

December 6, 2010

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New organ dedicated

Built by Farrand & Votey Organ Co., The Great Columbian Exposition Organ had been displayed at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. The following year, the University Musical Society bought and transported it to the old University Hall (above), renamed and dedicated the organ for Henry Frieze, who had served as acting university president. The organ was then moved to its current location in Hill Auditorium when it was built in 1913. Photo courtesy Bentley Historical Library.

This week in history (58 years ago)

It was reported that Willow Run Airport, which had been purchased by U-M from the federal government for $1 in the late 1940s, was serving 1.3 million passengers yearly, making it one of the nation’s major airports. The airport was operated as a nonprofit research facility. Initial research was concerned with defense against ballistic V-2 type rockets and intercontinental ballistic missiles. In the 1950s, some commercial air traffic began moving from Willow Run to Detroit Metro Airport. By 1966 all commercial airline traffic had moved to Metro. In 1977 U-M sold the airport to Wayne County for $1. Today, Willow Run is one of the largest cargo airports in the United States. — The University Record and the Willow Run Composite Squadron website

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