'Dearborn Stories' Sequel Hopes to Build on Success of First Book

A still-to-be-titled sequel to the Museum Guild of Dearborn’s Best Dearborn Stories: Voices From Henry Ford’s Hometown is in the works, guild representatives have confirmed.

The original 382-page anthology sold more than 500 copies in the first month after –and supporters were pleased.

“I have to say the book’s reception was a pleasant surprise,” said Kirt Gross, the museum’s chief curator. “By our standards, it was certainly a best seller. We hope that plans continue to come together for the sequel.”

Overall, the book has sold more than 800 of its initial run of 1,300 copies, earning gross receipts of more than $16,000. All proceeds beyond the Museum Guild’s initial publication cost go to support the museum.

L. Glenn O’Kray, vice chair of the Dearborn Historical Commission and coordinator of the publishing project, said editors expect to come up with a title for the sequel within the month.

“It could simply be Best Dearborn Stories, Part II,” O’Kray said. “But there’s been some support for choices like Return of Best Dearborn Stories and Son of Best Dearborn Stories. And we haven’t ruled out popular favorites like Revenge of Best Dearborn Stories.”

He said editors have begun soliciting stories and hoped that publication details could be ironed out within several months.

As with the first book, residents and former residents are being asked to write up to 700 words describing a favorite Dearborn experience or person to help create a sense of place about Henry Ford’s hometown. The 152 authors who contributed stories for the first book covered categories such as Henry Ford, Mayor Orville L. Hubbard, Camp Dearborn, growing up, family, schools, neighborhoods, recreation, cops, diversity and activism.

Based on sales to date, O’Kray said he hoped to sell the remaining 500 copies of the first book “by the end of summer.” It will be sold during Dearborn’s Homecoming weekend, Aug. 3-5, and is currently available for sale at the museum’s McFadden-Ross House, 915 S. Brady, as well as the , the , the and .

O’Kray and his wife, Jane, also staked out one weekend to sell books.

 “We were pleased not only with the number of books sold,” he said, “but also by the number of positive comments we got from shoppers who had already read it. I frequently run into people who say they had tears come to their eyes on reading some of the stories.”

The book project is one of several initiatives under way to help keep the Historical Museum’s doors open despite funding cutbacks imposed by the City Council for the current fiscal year and beyond. The Museum Guild, a nonprofit group of more than 20 clubs that support the museum, is planning a major fund drive to augment a museum membership campaign begun last year.

For information on Best Dearborn Stories, call the Historical Museum at 313-565-3000.

Those interested in writing for the second book are asked to email their stories by June 1 to lglennokray@cavtel.net. O’Kray said he is willing to assist those who have a story to tell but have a rough time putting it on paper. For an appointment with O’Kray, call 313-724-8203.

Authors may submit photos for their stories to O’Kray at 752 Wagner Ct., Dearborn 48124. Photos will not be returned.