Russell Dore to tell story of founder of GM at Feb. 19 museum lecture

The Belleville Area Museum continues its annual Third Thursday Lecture Series at 6 p.m. Feb. 19 with Russell Dore’s story of William Crapo Durant, a true entrepreneur.
Durant was not a builder of cars but rather a builder of companies, a dreamer who put several automobile companies together into what became the world’s largest corporation: General Motors.
Dore will discuss the roles that David Buick, Ransom Olds, Walter Chrysler, Charles Nash, and Louis Chevrolet played in the development of General Motors
Dore also will tell how this high school dropout became worth millions and yet died penniless. This presentation with visual aids covers Durant’s successful life before entering the automobile industry, his creation of General Motors, his exit from the company and his attempts to begin again. The strengths and weaknesses of his personality, his family life, and his contributions to American industry will be discussed.
The doors will open at 5 p.m., pizza will be served at 5:30 p.m., and the lecture will begin at 6 p.m. The event is free to historical society members and $5 for non-members.