Fedora, 1920-1940 (00.1510.86). From The Henry Ford Historic Costume Collection, and one of many items viewable in The Henry Ford’s and Wayne State University’s “Digital Dress” database.
While work in the archives may not provide the same thrill level as underwater exploring or storm chasing, we archivists usually love what we do. Besides whipping archival collections into research-ready shape and providing means of access for said collections, some or our work at the research center involves answering external research questions, both written and in-person, about Henry Ford, Ford Motor Company, and Henry Ford’s other interests and activities (of which he had a lot!—including the founding and running of our own institution), the buildings and artifacts housed at Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum, as well as more general topics in American history. Some of these questions are oft-repeated, others more obscure, a few of them quite perplexing, but all of them fascinating in some way, if only to show research trends and public interest in American history. Here’s a sampling of queries that have come into the inbox or across the reference desk lately:
- I am curious as to whether the “Ford Psalm” was written by my mother and her friends or copied from a publication.
- Period resources illustrating men’s fashions from the late 1920s to early 1930s, to be used for a Model A restorers’ club judging standards.
- Do you have any information on the 1928 Flying Quail radiator ornament? Do any drawings or clay or plastic models still exist?
- What was the impact of machine shops on communities in the 19th century?
- What was the occupation of a “Diamond Man” that would have worked for Ford around the 1920s?
- Could you verify whether a 5-ton truck was custom built for a Mrs. ___ in the late 1930s? She would have used it to travel across Europe and Africa.
- Regarding the Henry Ford “Help the Other Fellow” penny: Do the pennies tie in to Ford’s Senate race in any way? Were Henry’s pennies copper?
- Can you shed light on a 1925 Lincoln Limousine which was supposed to have been owned by Greta Garbo?
- Looking at images of the Wright Brothers Home and Cycle Shop as the basis for children’s book illustrations.
- Background research on the painter Irving R. Bacon for an art gallery organizing an exhibition.
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