Graduate students from Eastern Michigan University’s Historic Preservation Program have developed a new exhibit at the Ypsilanti Historical Society that explores the legacy of “Rosie the Riveter” and women workers during World War II. The free exhibit is open to the public at 220 N. Huron St., Ypsilanti.
The students designed a recreation of a bedroom once used by women riveters who lived in the Dow House, which now serves as the headquarters for the historical society. The exhibit features factory uniform replicas, period photographs, and antique furniture inspired by pre-war interiors.
“This project helps the students understand how to create an immersive environment, one that seems like it is fully inhabited and someone could be functioning there, as seen in many museums,” said Nancy Bryk, professor and director of EMU’s Historic Preservation graduate program.
Bryk highlighted the practical aspects of this work: “This project also provides unique and unusual hands-on activities that are rarely offered in our program or other programs.”
Created in partnership with the Ypsilanti Historical Society, the exhibit preserves stories from workers at Willow Run Bomber Plant and presents an alternative view alongside Victorian-style museum displays. Nearly one-third of women employed at Willow Run during World War II are represented by the “Rosie the Riveter” theme.
Steven Hilberg, a graduate student involved in science and preservation studies at EMU, described his experience: “The Preservation Studies program really takes pride in its commitment to providing students with experience in hands-on, collaborative, and community-based projects. You cannot really understand what fully goes into working with a team of 15 people on a single exhibit with one message until you actually do it.”
As part of their research process, students found information about Laura Craig—a factory inspector from Chicago who moved to Ypsilanti in 1945 to work at Willow Run—and connected with her granddaughter Linda Kouba. Kouba contributed photographs and details from her grandmother’s life to inform elements of the display.
“Meeting Mrs. Kouba and hearing how much the exhibit meant to her and her family was unbelievably rewarding,” said Hilberg. “Finding and getting to know someone who had a direct connection to the historical subject of the exhibit made the process much more personal.”
Bryk added: “We hope visitors will remember that there are generations of people who lived in old homes. Just because it is installed one way, reflected one era or inhabitant, does not mean that’s the only inhabitant in the house. Older houses have so many inhabitants, with their stories to share.”
Eastern Michigan University began operations in 1849 as an institution focused on teacher training before expanding into a comprehensive public university offering over 200 academic programs across undergraduate and graduate levels. Today it maintains its primary campus in Ypsilanti while providing educational access through online programs and partnerships. The university has received national recognition for its offerings in education, health sciences, business, and arts fields (https://www.emich.edu/).
More information about EMU’s preservation program can be found on its website (https://www.emich.edu/).
