If you’ve ever been to the Old Car Festival at Greenfield Village, you might be familiar with the 1920s Auto Touring exhibit. Since 2002, the exhibit has been a staple for the country’s longest-running antique car show, reminding guests what an event a “road trip” was in the early days of automobiles. To celebrate the exhibit’s 10th anniversary, roadside historian Daniel Hershberger has given the event a new twist, this time focusing on the evolution of auto touring in the early years of the 20th century, from 1914 to 1930.

I had a chance to talk to Dan last week about next weekend’s activities and there are some great features in store. Overall, the exhibit has expanded in its offerings. For some of the regular guests Dan sees year after year, he thinks they’ll really like what this year has to offer. An exhibit like this provides a different angle to Old Car Festival, because just as automobiles evolved, so did the motor camping industry.

For 2012, the exhibit is broken into four vignettes:

The Early Years
Take a look at a circa 1915 Model T five-passenger touring car outfitted with a lean-to tent.

Advent of the Trailer Era
A fully restored model of the Clare Trailer Company’s earliest offerings will not only be set up but guests can actually enter the trailer and take a look inside.

The Matured Fold-Out Tent Trailer
Historians and experts believe the golden age of motor camping to be the 1920s, with the peak being reached in 1927. Guests will be able to take a look at a restored 1927 Auto-Kamp fold-out tent trailer, made in Saginaw, Mich.

The End of an Era and the Birth of an Industry
A special addition this year to the exhibit, a Covered Wagon Company travel trailer prototype will be on loan from the Detroit Historical Society. The trailer, which hasn’t been on display in decades, is an important part in the evolution of auto touring as it essentially launched the modern trailer industry that we know today. Guests will learn about Arthur Sherman, the creator of the trailer, and his desire to create a camper that was easier to use for motorists.

If you’re curious to learn more about the evolution of auto touring, join us at Old Car Festival Sept. 8-9. The event is free with village admission.

Congratulations to this week’s Titanic Ticket Tuesday winner, Kari Ternes! Enjoy the exhibit.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America. Juliette Gordon Low founded the organization in 1912 after she met Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting in the United Kingdom. Juliette’s first meeting in Savannah, Ga., was on March 12, 1912, with just 18 young women. Today there are more than 3 million Girl Scouts.

As part of the ongoing celebration this year and next, The Henry Ford will play host to the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan this Saturday, Aug. 18, at Greenfield Village. The Girl Scouts will take to the village as they visit the War of 1812 Muster, take in a few presentations, and simply absorb what the village has to offer.

The Girl Scouts can also take a peek at some of the Girl Scouts artifacts we have in our collections, like these Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts uniforms from the mid 1950s, pictured above. The uniforms certainly look a lot different than the official uniforms worn by scouts today!

This isn’t the first time The Henry Ford has hosted such a special day for local Girl Scouts. This press release, issued in March of 1975, boasted more than 4,000 Girl Scouts visiting Henry Ford Museum as part of Macomb County Girl Scouts Day. It was a “wearin’ of the green” kind of day on that particular visit as they took to the museum.

If you’re at Greenfield Village this weekend, make sure to take a look at some of our Girl Scouts artifacts on display at the Benson Ford Research Center. Curious to see what else we have? Take a look at this search from our collections.

“Hip, Hip, Huzzah” echoed through the village with the annual World Tournament of Historic Base Ball. It was 1867 all over again as underhand pitches fairly met strikers at the plate, and gloveless fielders caught brown leather-covered balls.

After giving chase between home plate and third base – the runner was tagged for the final out of the game, and the tournament victory went to the Saginaw Old Golds.

The Saginaw Old Golds took home the trophy by winning the championship matchup, 33-12, over the strong-hitting Columbus Capitals. The annual tournament features Historic Base Ball played by the rules of 1867 as set down in Haney’s Base Ball Book of Reference. That same year, Detroit hosted 24 clubs in the World’s Base Ball Tournament.

Left: Saginaw Old Golds’ captain Adam "Squints" McCauley thanks teams and guests after accepting the 2012 World Tournament of Historic Base Ball take home championship trophy. Center: Rudy “Swamp Fox” Frias, Jr., captain of the Columbus Capitals, accepts the prize for runner-up. Right: Is it raining? Mark “Marker” Cammock accepts a trophy on behalf of the Forest City BBC – after his team drenched him with a bucket of water.

Sixteen ball clubs from Michigan, Ohio and Indiana took turns in the field and with the bat in what proved to be an exciting two full days of base ball. Here’s a complete list of all the teams that participated and the awards given.

Left: The Saginaw Old Golds met with last year’s championship rival - the Bay City Independents -in semi-final play. Right: By 1867 rules of play, pitchers were encouraged to “pitch fairly to the striker” with underhand throws.

Above photo, left, by Scott Callejah

Since the balls are rubber that is wrapped in yarn and covered with leather, Saturday’s rain added some weight and some challenges. But the rain didn’t dampen the fun, as one player noted, “We were all playing with the same ball.” As much as the tournament is about base ball, it is about fun.

Right: Greenfield Village honored dedicated Historic Base Ball fan Paul Salisbury with a signed bat. Paul made it to all the Lah-De-Dahs’ home and away games this year. Left: The future of Historic Base Ball looks bright – children representing many teams were recognized.

As well as team and player awards – a special award went to a dedicated fan, and the future of Historic Base Ball was recognized with cheers.

The winning team’s name is inscribed on the large Tournament Trophy that stays at The Henry Ford.

Award-winning teams and individuals take home trophies made in Greenfield Village’s Pottery Shop.

Better than nothing – two teams were given peanuts for the least number of wins in the tournament.

Although they didn’t receive trophies, the Welkin and the Bonneyville Millers clubs didn’t go home empty handed. The two teams each were presented a bag of peanuts: The same prize awarded in 1867 for the team with the least number of tournament wins.

A large crowd gathered to watch the festive championship game – complete with rousing background music provided by the Dodworth Saxhorn Band.

By most accounts, this was the largest crowd to gather for the World Tournament of Historic Base Ball championship event. It’s the tournament’s 10th year at Greenfield Village.

Players offer a final “Huzzah” to the train as it passes the field on its last trip of the day through the village. Passengers reciprocate.

It was competitive but gentlemanly play, and it was hard to find a player (or fan) who wasn’t smiling.

Related: The historic base ball bandwagon

1. Spiegel Grove Squires – Fremont, Ohio (Captain Jerry “Wings” Wasserman)
2. Columbus Capitals – Columbus, Ohio (Captain Rudy “Swamp Fox” Frias, Jr.)
3. Lah-De-Dahs BBC – Dearborn, Mich. (Captain Matt “Mad Dog” Valant)
4. Nationals BBC – Dearborn, Mich. (Captain George “Beast” Moroz)
5. Detroit BBC – Dearborn, Mich. (Captain Marcus “Razor Back” Dickson)
6. Bay City Independents – Bay City, Mich. (Captain Jayme “Cap” Johnson)
7. Welkin BBC – Port Huron, Mich. (Captain Jim “Chops” Fisher)
8. Regular BBC – Sterling Heights, Mich. (Captain Ray “Thumper” Pachuta)
9. Bonneyville Millers – Goshen, Ind. (Captain Raymond “Buddy” Balogh)
10. Wyandotte Stars – Wyandotte, Mich. (Captain Zac “Professor” Holdren)
11. Saginaw Old Golds – Saginaw, Mich. (Captain Adam “Squints” McCauley)
12. Early Risers – Detroit, Mich. (Captain R.J. “Snurek” Chadha)
13. Walker Wheels BBC – Onstead, Mich. (Captain James “Crazy Legs” Terwilliger)
14. Indianapolis Blues – Greenwood, Ind. (Captain Russell “Rabbit” Wilhoit)
15. Forest City – Cleveland Heights, Ohio (Captain Mark “Marker” Cammock)
16. Canal Fulton Mules – Canal Fulton, Ohio (Captain Ed Shuman)

To see results of games played in the Champion and Reserve Champion classes, here’s a copy of the final tournament bracket.

WT Bracket ~ 2012 (results)

Champion

• Saginaw Old Golds – Saginaw, Mich.

Runner-up Champion

• Columbus Capitals – Columbus, Ohio

Reserve Champion

• Forest City BBC – Cleveland Heights, Ohio

Finest Captain

• R.J. Chada – Early Risers – Detroit, Mich.

Farthest Distance Traveled

• Indianapolis Blues – Greenwood, Ind.

The Henry Chadwick Sportsmanship Award

• Canal Fulton Mules BBC – Canal Fulton, Ohio

Bag of Peanuts (Club with Least Victories, Tie)

• Bonneyville Millers – Goshen, Ind.
• Welkin BBC – Port Huron, Mich.

Finest Catcher (Tie)

• Bill “Whipsaw” Dean – Lah-De Dahs BBC, Dearborn, Mich.
• Alex “Alley Cat” Banker – Welkin BBC – Port Huron, Mich.

2012 World Tournament Skills Awards
Accurate Throw

1. Josh “Weeds” Stevens – Columbus Capitals
2. Matt “Saddle Bag” Sadler – Forest City BBC
3. Andy “School Boy” Gardner – Wyandotte Stars

Longest Throw

1. Mike “Hickory Stick” Hill – Early Risers BBC
2. Toby “Scoops” Larkin – Saginaw Old Golds
3. Ryan “Copper Pot” Glaser – Wyandotte Stars

Speed

1. Ryan “Copper Pot” Glaser – Wyandotte Stars
2. Jon “Boozehound” Smith – Saginaw Old Golds
3. Jason “Honey Badger” Zeduk – Columbus Capitals

Many people don’t realize that Henry Ford had a special fondness for musical instruments, especially violins.

Henry Ford playing a violin, circa 1920. (From the collections of The Henry Ford)

Although he never learned to play it as well as he would have liked, Ford acquired a number of beautiful instruments over the years, including a 1709 Stradivari (or “Strad,” as it is often affectionately called) and this fantastic Strad, “The Siberian” - so named because it was once owned by a Russian amateur violinist who lived in Ekaterinberg, Siberia during the late 19th century. (You can learn more about Henry Ford’s musical interest and influence here, along with information about another Stradivarius violin from our collection, “The Rougemont,” built in 1703.)

Antonio Stradivari violin, "The Siberian," built in 1709.

Our violin collection

Now, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about this incredible instrument during two special events – including a very special performance of the 300-year-old violin by a true violin virtuoso.

On Thursday, April 26, our curator of domestic life, Jeanine Head Miller, and our senior conservator Mary Fahey will speak at the Ypsilanti  District Library at 7 p.m. about Henry Ford’s love of the violin – and the fiddling craze he sparked during the 1920s – plus some recent mysteries we uncovered during a scan of the violin late last year.

And on Sunday, April 29 at 3:30 p.m., Sphinx Organization Laureate Gareth Johnson will perform on this magnificent instrument with the Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra at Eastern Michigan University’s Pease Auditorium; tickets are limited but still available. (You can also read a great article here about Mr. Johnson and this performance.)

We hope you can join us for either, or both, of these exciting events!

Peering into a luxurious first-class cabin. Admiring the grand staircase. Touching a replica iceberg so cold, it’s hard to keep your hand there.

The ice wall

These are among the many moving elements you’ll explore when you tour Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition - the largest touring exhibition of these incredible artifacts - when it opens this Saturday, March 31 at Henry Ford Museum.

This experience will be especially poignant, as this year marks the 100th anniversary of the Titanic tragedy, when the world’s largest ship collided with an iceberg and sank into the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean on April 15, 1912, claiming more than 1,500 lives.

The bow of the Titanic

Through this 10,000 square-foot, newly-redesigned and expanded exhibition, you’ll be able to see more than 300 artifacts, 250 of which have never been displayed in Michigan.

Perfume vials (credit - Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition)

White Star Line dishes (credit - Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition)

The personal connection to Titanic‘s passengers is everywhere. You can walk through extensive room re-creations, have your photos taken near the full-scale replica of the Grand Staircase – and then turn the corner to see the actual base of the main cherub statue, which adorned that ornate staircase.

You'll be able to climb the Grand Staircase for a photo. (Credit - Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition)

And from the moment you step into the exhibition, you’ll be quickly drawn back in time to 1912. Each person will receive a replica boarding pass of an actual passenger aboard Titanic; from there, you’ll “travel” through the life of the grand ship – from its construction to the lives of its on-board passengers, its ill-fated voyage and the amazing artifact rescue efforts by divers returning to the underwater site in recent years. (Interesting note: Many of the artifacts in the exhibit can also be seen in TITANICA, which also opens March 31 at The Henry Ford IMAX Theatre - and read our blogger’s take on this nonfiction docudrama here.)

Authentically re-created first and third class cabins in Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition give you a chance to see what it was like to stay aboard Titanic, surrounded by real dishes, personal effects and elements of the ship itself, like pieces of the deck benches that allowed travelers to take in the fresh air and see the ocean below.

Third-class cabin (credit - Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition)

At the end of the exhibit, take your boarding pass to the memorial wall – and learn the fate of your traveler.

What was the fate of your passenger? (Credit - Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition)

But the exhibition isn’t the end of the Titanic exploration. During its run, we will also host a variety of programming related to this historic event, including Titanic Tuesdays, a speaker and author series we’re offering on the second Tuesday of each month. Be sure to check our website for details of these special evenings, which feature an array of special speakers –  including Stephen Low, creator of the IMAX film TITANICA - and will allow you to explore Henry Ford Museum after hours.

Special timed tickets must be purchased ahead of time, so be sure to get these early – we do expect many of the time slots to sell out each day! Ticket prices and purchase information can be found on our website.

What part of the Titanic story fascinates you the most?

A new study by the Girl Scout Research Institute shows that 74% of girls are interested in careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) – however, a majority of the 1,000 teen girls surveyed said they did not know a lot about career options in STEM. Here at The Henry Ford, we’re working to change that!

On Saturday, March 24th, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Girl Scouts are invited to meet professionals working in the STEM field during the Girls in Tech: Careers at The Henry Ford program.

Held at the Ford Rouge Factory Tour, this fun and educational event will also feature hands-on activities, mock job interviews and more for Girl Scouts to discover new careers and the tools and skills they’ll need to be successful. The Girls in Tech program is just one of The Henry Ford’s many badge programs we’re offering this year.

After completing this one-day program, Junior Girl Scouts will be some of the last Girl Scouts to ever receive the Careers badge – but girls of all ages are invited to learn about these fantastic future career opportunities for young women.

STEM jobs are growing, both in number and importance – according to a 2011 study by the U.S. Department of Commerce, STEM jobs grew three times as fast as other jobs over the past decade, and are projected to grow 17% from 2008 to 2018. But despite the importance of STEM careers, women only make up about a quarter of the STEM workforce today.

The Careers at The Henry Ford: Girls in Tech program starts at Henry Ford Museum with a ride on the Ford Rouge Factory Tour buses; participants must take the 9:20 a.m., 9:40 a.m., 10 a.m. or 10:20 a.m. buses in order to have enough time to complete the program. Check the event page for pricing information and other details – but be sure to schedule your Girl Scout’s spot fast; space is limited!

We hope to see you and your Girl Scout there!

Christopher Hemler is the Curator of Education for Youth, Adult and Digital Programs at The Henry Ford. He also heads up the Scouting at The Henry Ford group page on Facebook – stop by the page to ask him your questions, or tell us about your troop’s visit to The Henry Ford!

We’re closing in on the April 14 the spring re-opening of Greenfield Village! And with the re-opening of the village comes the knowledge that spring is here…and boy, are we ready for it!

Many of our fantastic colleagues here at The Henry Ford share their talents with us in different ways; two in particular, presenter Shirley Damps and Model T driver Lee Cagle, are wonderful enough to share their love of Greenfield Village with us on a daily basis through their writing (Shirley) and photography (Lee). Read on as they share their enthusiasm for the approaching spring season at Greenfield Village!

To those who see bare branches, and know they hold the buds of spring…

…to those who see the melting snow and crocus peeking through, the air is warmer and soon to show the fresh green of renewal;

…the sun is rising a little earlier and going down a little later each day; one hears the birds at break of day…

…all reminders that the Greenfield Village season will soon be upon us.

Lee’s photos from the past few seasons are wonderful reminders of the beauty of the land and all that we are privileged to partake. Enjoy and see you soon!

Weather-wise, there’s a common phrase for March: “In like a lion, out like a lamb.”

Well, this month at The Henry Ford, we’re going in the opposite direction…and going out with a Titanic-sized finish.

We hope you’ll join us for all the excitement!

Learning Series – Evolution of Science and Technology, March 2: Catch the morning session (it’s free and open to the public) as Dr. Charles Dershimer explores how objects from everyday life demonstrate how people think about environmental issues, alter technology to suit their needs, and use technology to solve environmental problems. Find all the details here.

Local Roots Spring Evening Dining, March 8: Our award-winning culinary team is “Touring the Mitten” with a delectable dinner filled with Michigan treats! Get the info (and some recipes!) here.

Macy’s 2nd Mondays, March 12: We’re going green for St. Patrick’s Day during this fantastic outing designed just for preschoolers; from 10 a.m.-noon, kids can enjoy scavenger hunts, make-and-take activities, storytelling and more! (It’s free with your membership or admission to Henry Ford Museum.)

And then – the big one…

Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, opening March 31: One hundred years ago, the Titanic sank in the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean. During this significant anniversary, you’ll be able to tour this premier exhibition chronicling the life of the ship and its passengers through more than 300 artifacts, extensive re-creations of the ship’s rooms and even a full-size replica of the Grand Staircase. If you only visit The Henry Ford once this year, make THIS the time to visit – this exhibition is truly not to be missed!

And while you’re here, make sure to see…

TITANICA at The Henry Ford IMAX Theatre, opening March 31: This traditional IMAX documentary film takes you down to the ocean floor to see the Titanic itself in astonishingly vivid and life-size detail on Michigan’s largest screen.