At first glance, Stand 44 at Greenfield Village may seem like a modest structure, but its story carries remarkable poignancy. It is a building influenced by the work and vision of Albert Kahn, the German-Jewish immigrant whose architectural genius transformed Detroit into the workshop of the world.
Stand 44 is also linked to Mary Judge, an Irish immigrant whose life reflects the resilience and determination of those who crossed oceans to make a new home in America.
A single, tough, Irish immigrant who — against significant odds — became a hugely successful and beloved vendor at the old Detroit Central Market, now the Eastern Market. She was also fiercely independent and quite outspoken. Mary Judge became one of the city’s most visible and colorful public personalities.
Together, these two figures embody the immigrant narrative that lies at the very heart of Detroit’s identity. Kahn arrived in the late 19th century, bringing with him not only technical skill but a belief in the power of design to uplift industry and community.
Judge had landed in America earlier and like countless Irish immigrants, she carried the hopes of survival and opportunity, contributing her labor, presence and spirit to a city that was rapidly evolving.
Stand 44 thus becomes more than a physical space, it’s also a symbolic meeting point of immigrant stories. It reminds us that Detroit wasn’t built by a particular group or generation, but by waves of newcomers who brought their traditions, talents and tenacity. The city’s factories, schools, churches, markets and neighborhoods are the living record of these contributions.
The Foundation, led by board member Levi Smith, was instrumental in the development of Stand 44 at Greenfield Village.
See reporting below from The Jewish News for more details on the origins and evolution of Stand 44:
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