Are you ready for our last museum of this trip? I think I am. My brain needs a break. We spent Saturday at the museum at The Henry Ford. The areas are Driving America, Railroads, Presidential Vehicles, Heroes of the Sky, With Liberty and Justice for All, Made in America, Mathematics, Dymaxion House, Fully Furnished, and Agriculture. Everything in the museum represents a significant change in moving the county along. Here are some highlights.
the very first wiener wagon
speeds up planting since tilling wasn’t necessary, thereby saving the topsoil
before tractors, steam engines could be moved wherever needed to operate equipment
In the late 1940s, a modular home was created. Investors weren’t interested, but think of the module homes that are being built now.
This lightweight dome concept has been used in many places, including football stadiums.
living area
closet
motor-driven shelves
how presidential vehicles have changed
Teddy Roosevelt’s presidential vehicle
FDR’s
Eisenhower’s
Reagan’s. Thought I had Kennedy’s, but can’t find the picture.
This is the last remaining Allegheny class steam engine. They were some of the largest and strongest engines because they hauled coal out of the Allegheny Mountains. Huge.
These engines required so much coal to produce the steam that shoveling it was too slow. This auger in the coal car kept the engine supplied with power.
We had never heard about this car, but Ford Company built it
Testing was done in Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats. It hit a speed of 409 mph! So sleek. We saw this area when we drove our new-to-us truck to Georgia (quick cross-country trips) so can understand why this testing ground is so popular.
how airplane seats have changed
seating for early planes, especially small for bigger guys
then they went to wicker chairs
looks a little more familiar
This looks more like what we know. Since the museum is full, they won’t be able to add airplane interiors that we have now.
how children’s car seats have changed
First car seats for children were for the benefit of their parents.
early car seats for children
how kitchens have changed
1700s
early 1800s
late 1800s
early 1900s
You know you’re in cold weather country when a museum has a coat room!
When we got back to our campsite along Lake Erie, we saw these two brave men facing the rain, wind, and cold to have a campfire—because that’s what you do when you camp. They are brothers-in-law and have been camping together for 30 years. They invited us over, but we wanted to get inside our RV and get warm.
