Plymouth's Margaret Dunning Named One of 2013's Michiganians of the Year

Plymouth citizens are no stranger to the name Margaret Dunning. Dunning, 102, is a an icon in the town.

Recently, the Detroit New named Dunning as on the the 2013 Michiganians of the Year.

In the article, Dunning was given the honor for her support of Plymouth’s library, museum and other institutions.

An an example of her work, just a few months ago Dunning was featured on Plymouth-Canton Patch for taking part in a fundraising effort for the Plymouth Historical Museum.

Bidders were able to have a chance to ride in a luxurious 1930 Packard driven by Dunning at the Plymouth Historical Museum's A Night FOR the Museum fundraiser.

Dunning is a philanthropist and car enthusiast known for her trademark 1930 Packard 740 roadster.

Plymouth Historical Museum Director Elizabeth Kerstens told Patch that Dunning remains one of the community's most active residents and was integral in the formation of the local museum.

"Margaret has been the museum's benefactor," Kerstens said. "She built the museum. She donated the money for the museum, as it stands today, to be built. Without her, we wouldn't have this wonderful museum."

Dunning had put forth $100,000 of her own money in 1971 for a 15,000-square-foot building to house artifacts from her hometown when the Plymouth Historical Society was in need of a new building. When the musem needed additional space for an Abraham Lincoln memorabilia exhibit in 1998, Dunning again stepped forward with a $1 million personal donation to add an additional 9,800 square feet across two floors.

Dunning took a liking to automobiles while growing up on her father's potato farm in nearby Redford in the 1910s and early 1920s. Now sporting a classic car collection of her own, she treasures her prized 1930 Packard 740 roadster, which she said she has owned — and maintained — for about 60 years and showcases at exhibits. "I've always loved Packards very much," Dunning said. "They've been very much a part of my life."