Chelsea Area Historical Museum: From Detroit to Our Doorstep: The Carhartt Story

Back in 1889, a fellow named Hamilton Carhartt got his start up in Detroit with a simple notion—make sturdy, honest clothes for folks who put in a hard day’s work. That little idea grew into Carhartt, a name most of us know well, whether it’s hanging in the mudroom or riding along in the truck. For generations now, Carhartt has been keeping railroad workers, farmers, and everyday folks warm, dry, and ready to get the job done. Still family-owned and just down the road in Dearborn, they haven’t strayed far from those roots.

On May 4, 2026, Carhartt historian Dave Moore will be making a stop to share a few stories from along the way. Dave’s spent years gathering up and preserving the company’s history, building Carhartt’s archive and helping keep those stories alive. What started as a small effort has grown into something the whole company leans on—from designing new gear to helping folks who work there feel connected to where it all began. He also helped bring Carhartt into the digital age with their first company-wide archive system back in 2019, but at heart, it’s still about the stories.

The talk is hosted by the Chelsea Area Historical Society and will be held at the old Chelsea Depot—a pretty fitting place to sit a spell and hear about a company built alongside hardworking people. So come on out, wear your favorite Carhartt, and enjoy an evening of good stories and a little local history.

As always, everyone’s welcome.
Members get in free, and it’s $10 for non-members