We traveled south from the northern part of the Michigan mitten in order to visit the Henry Ford museum in Dearborn, MI. We stayed at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Belleville from Oct 8 to the 11th.
We drove up to Dearborn on the 9th to see the museum and to tour the Rouge Factory where they assemble the F150 pickup. The Rouge tour guide mentioned that from the top of the plant we could see the headquarters of another automobile manufacturer that took bailout money (GM). :) They showed a short film on the history of the Ford complex as well as a film/light show on the making of the F150. We then went into the plant itself for a self-guided tour of the F150 assembly line. We were able to look down on the line as workers assembled the body in various steps. While it was interesting to see how the steps were performed, I imagine after a while, the work would be tedious. Basically doing the same steps over and over. We were not able to see the chassis being assembled.
On the 10th we toured the Greenfield Village which to me is similar to the Main Street part of Disneyworld. There are people in period clothing demonstrating historic equipment like an old school printing press, glass blowing, tin shaping, looms, clay firing, etc. One of the best parts was riding around the complex in original Model T cars. Everyone enjoyed it. We also checked out a train engine turntable and round house. We were able to move the turntable easily. It was very well balanced.
In the machine shop, the kids made candlesticks from a brass rod on a 1917 lathe. The instructor was very nice and patient, and the kids liked it a lot. The shop was typically used to repair equipment in the village. They have several tall bikes around the shop. It would have been fun to try one out.
Other activities included taking rides on a steam-powered train, horse-drawn carriage, Model AA bus, 100 year old carousel, and touring the Wright brothers' bike shop. The bike shop included a small wind tunnel and a model of their plane.
On the last day at the Ford Museum, we finished seeing the museum itself. There are too many things to see in one day. Some of the highlights included the Lincoln chair from Ford's theater, presidential limousines (FDR, JFK, Reagan), Rosa Parks's bus (restored and looking new), many automobiles, Ford's personal violin display, an exploded Model T that was suspended from the ceiling, and a Model T car that was disassembled and assembled every day by employees and visitors. Renee has an interesting story about the JFK limousine. I'll ask her to post on it.
Overall it was a very enjoyable experience. I would like to see it again, since I didn't get to see everything.
You guys are BUSY! You should write a travel book.
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