In April, The Henry Ford announced the acquisition of Dr. and Mrs. Sullivan Jackson’s Selma, Alabama, home.

The historic home, known as the Jackson House, served as a safe haven where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and others worked, collaborated, strategized and planned the Selma-to-Montgomery marches of 1965.

It was in the Jackson House on March 15, 1965, when Dr. King watched President Lyndon Johnson’s famous “We Shall Overcome” speech. The speech announced the bill to be sent to Congress guaranteeing African Americans the right to vote, which would later become the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

As we begin the work to move this historic structure from Alabama to Michigan, we have been examining the meaning of home and connection. The gestures offered by the Jacksons — a comfortable bed, a safe place to think, a warm meal — were simple in nature but laid the foundation for a monumental movement that changed history.

Inside this issue of The Henry Ford Magazine, we continue to explore the theme of home and food as ways to connect and communicate with each other. On these pages, we take a closer look at sustainable food systems; celebrate local chefs, growers and food producers fighting for more equitable and inclusive platforms; showcase our historical food experiences in Greenfield Village; share a sampling of our kitchencentric artifacts over the centuries; and introduce the next steps in our edible education initiatives.

We also hope you notice and appreciate the references to chef Julia Child throughout this issue and check out the insider’s look at our new traveling exhibition, Julia Child: A Recipe for Life. The Henry Ford is the premiere venue for this comprehensive look at a true culinary pioneer through Sept. 10.

I hope you get a chance to visit us this summer and fall.

With deep gratitude,