Seeing Man of Steel at Henry Ford Museum’s 70mm IMAX is like going to a rock concert; it’s a big, bombastic time at the movies that’ll will blow the shoes right off of your feet. Don’t be surprised if the person next to you is sitting upside down by the end. I think I saw people walk into walls on their way out. Yes, Man of Steel IMAX is that wild.

So far there’s been a fascinating reaction to the film. This isn’t Iron Man 3 where a few people had gripes about this or that – here viewers are either doing back flips or putting their smart caps on and getting meta about what the filmmakers are saying about their treatment of a blue tights-wearing alien who just happens to be an American icon.

Despite this, one thing is for sure – Man of Steel is THE event movie of the summer. There’s no doubt about it. Seeing the audience on Saturday’s sold-out afternoon show at The Henry Ford there were people of all ages waiting to get in. Whether it was an elderly man wearing a Superman shirt, or the family of four all sporting their own Supes apparel, this is a film that everyone wants to see.

So why not see it in the best presentation possible? With the clarity that 70mm IMAX brings, you are drawn into the picture in a way that no standard theater can deliver. Man of Steel has the biggest effects of the summer, if not the entire superhero genre put together – it’s that massive. The last hour of the film is a two-fisted wallop to the senses that has never been witnessed before… and at The Henry Ford you see every pore on the actor’s face as they are literally being punched through buildings!

Sadly, Man of Steel isn’t like Star Trek Into Darkness or the Batman films where segments were filmed with IMAX cameras and take advantage of the whole screen, but it’s still so much larger and impressive than any neighborhood screen you will pay to see it on.

And let’s talk about the sound. I personally love the theatricality of the pre-show where the theater points out where the speakers are and then breaks into a free jazz ditty before the announcer rattles your seat with the monster sub woofers. It’s just P.T. Barnum enough for me to get giddy with anticipation of what a real deal Hollywood blockbuster will sound like in this arena.

As it turns out, Man of Steel is filled with dynamic, super sci-fi sounds that should be heard in this way. Star Wars is known for its unique soundscapes and the new Superman film is totally on that level. Smaller IMAX theaters sometimes make up for their size issue by amping up their sound slightly more than you might want. At The Henry Ford, it’s loud in just the right way, making you feel as if you are actually feeling a super-powered hit to the chest just as the giant screen overwhelms the rest of your senses until the end credits roll and you feel like you need some deodorant.

Man of Steel deserves the best presentation possible, and The Henry Ford has it for you to experience. Who doesn’t want to see the new Superman smile on the biggest screen imaginable? Seeing that smile that big made me believe a man could fly – and the IMAX sound system sure made me feel those sonic BOOMS every time he did!

Jeremy Wheeler is a writer/illustrator based in Ann Arbor, Mich., who has contributed to the All Movie Guide, Chicago Reader, A.V. Club, Esquire and others. He’s also the poster designer for Bang! Media.

With Greenfield Village packed with Motor Muster aficionados, base ball cranks were able to enjoy one of the few Lah-De-Dahs vs. Nationals back-to-back games this past Father’s Day weekend. Despite a strong effort by the ‘Dahs in both matches, the Nationals were able to take the weekend sweep.

Under the beautiful skies of a mid-June Saturday afternoon, the Nationals and Lah-De-Dahs were thrilled to play in front of such a large group of cranks on the hill abutting Walnut Grove. That excitement lead to some early excellent play by both squads, but a late offensive surge by the Nationals led to a 17-9 victory over the Lah-De-Dahs. A tie score of 6-6 after five innings was the result of a plethora of defensive highlights this day. Nationals’ centerfielder Alex “Trousers” Moroz, who initially struggled with what appeared to be a knuckleball off the bat of Bobby “Minnow” Murkowski, made a sensational catch at his feet in the third inning.

Bearded veteran George “Tricky” Milkovich displayed his long-standing defensive aptitude by fielding every ball hit at him well at second base for the Nationals. The Lah-De-Dahs also had notable defensive efforts, most obviously a beautiful, stumbling catch by left fielder Bill “Professor” Jentzen that every soul in attendance thought would result in a muffed play. While defense was the name of the game early, a six-run offensive seventh inning by the Nationals’ offense in the seventh inning was too much to overcome for your boys in red. Up and down the lineup the Nationals executed their offensive strategy well with Dan “Boomba” Valascho jump starting the offense with a solid single in the seventh. Unlike last Sunday’s match where the Nationals late rally almost shocked the Lah-De-Dahs, there was no ninth-inning rally this day. With a rematch scheduled on Sunday, however, the ‘Dahs went to bed ready to put on a show.

The Lah-De-Dahs salute engine No. 7 rolling along the tracks.

While the Nationals have a week off, the Lah-De-Dahs will be right back on Walnut Grove this weekend. They hope these losses will not lessen the enthusiasm of the cranks and encourage folks to come see them play the Walker Tavern Wheels on Saturday and the Columbus Buckeyes on Sunday.

By Matt “Mad Dog” Valant. Photos by Jeanette Dubrul.

For the 2013 Motor Muster, we’ve got a lot of firsts to offer our members and visitors June 15-16. We’re pleased to announce that this year we have the largest collection of manufacturer modified muscle cars EVER gathered in Greenfield Village for Motor Muster. How many, exactly? More than 900 classic cars, vintage trucks, motorcycles and bicycles, that’s how many. Representing the 1930s through the 1970s, the classic era of the automobile has never been better represented in Greenfield Village.

Joining us this year is the Daytona-Superbird Auto Club. Visiting Michigan for their annual national meet-up, these dealer showroom show-stoppers will join us both Saturday and Sunday. These classic aero-cars, like the Plymouth Road Runner Superbird, Dodge Charger Daytona, and the Ford Torino Talladega, are a welcomed addition to our muster.

It’s not just muscle cars and classic cruisers on display this weekend. Military vehicles from World War II to Vietnam will be on display near Cotswold Cottage throughout the weekend. You can also learn why Detroit was known as the “Arsenal of Democracy,” during a presentation from John Lind, director of the Detroit Arsenal of Democracy Museum, on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

On top of all this, Motor Muster will be the place to get your first look at our latest book, Driving America: The Henry Ford Automotive Collection, the first major book to be published on the cars of The Henry Ford’’s collection. We’’ll be talking more about the book here on the blog this summer, but this weekend is your first chance for a peek at what we’’ve been up to.

With more than 300 never-before-published images of historically significant vehicles, the book sheds light on the uniquely shared American dreams that drive us all. The book includes a forward from Jay Leno, an introduction by Edsel Ford II, and four insightful essays from Patricia Mooradian, our president, the book’’s photographer Mark Harmer, Matt Anderson, curator of transportation at The Henry Ford and Bob Casey, automotive historian and retired curator of transportation at The Henry Ford.

Both Bob and Matt will be signing copies of the book at 2 p.m. on Saturday inside the Greenfield Village store.

Later that evening you can catch Matt once again during a special racing presentation at 6 p.m. Matt will talk about the world of drag, midget and stock car racing of the 1930s-1950s as we continue to work on bringing Racing in America to Henry Ford Museum.

Do you have a favorite aero-car memory? What was your favorite car of the weekend? Whatever it is, we want to know! Make sure to share your Motor Muster experiences by tagging your Tweets with #GVMotorMuster.

Motor Muster takes over Greenfield Village June 15-16. Motor Muster is free with Greenfield Village admission. Join us Saturday for a special late night (9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.). Check out our Motor Muster event page for detailed program information.

Did you pick up your Penny Pine in Greenfield Village this spring? We’re very pleased to be able to offer the ready-to-plant trees thanks to our friends at the U.S. Forest Service. If you’re taking good care of your tree, here are a few more tips from Lisa Perez, Detroit Urban Connections Coordinator with the U.S. Forest Service Eastern Region, to make sure all your seedlings have long, long lives.

Planting
Make sure to keep the roots moist, until it is planted, plant on a cool, cloudy day and ensure the roots are straight down.

Watering
You don’t need to water as much as you may believe necessary. When you water too often, the roots grow shallowly and the tree won’t do as well in times of drought. The tree will also not be as sturdy and able to resist strong winds. When you water deeply every 7-10 days and let the ground dry out before the next watering, the roots will grow farther down and will later have an easier time finding water if needed.

Protection From Animals
Animals, such as deer and rabbits, may think your new seedling is a tasty snack. You may want to put a mesh tube around the tree or use repellents.

Watch For Signs of Disease, Pests or Poor Nutrition
The first few years are especially critical for establishing a healthy tree. Watch for signs of poor health such as:

• Yellow leaves
• Wilting foliage
• Holes in bark, branches, or leaves
• Oozing sap

If you see these or any other indications of poor health, take steps to remedy the problem (if possible) as soon as you can. You can contact your local extension office, or a landscape care company if you need help in diagnosing what is wrong.

Keep up to date with the latest from the U.S. Forest Service by checking out their blog and YouTube channel.

Erin and Mike held their wedding reception at Henry Ford Museum not too long ago. Thanks to photographer Ksenija Savic, their exciting day and night were captured in a detailed blog post showing off all elements of their wedding, including a lot of pops of color on the museum floor.

Over the years, the number of locomotives began to grow. In 1979 the Edison Institute obtained a 1927 Plymouth Gasoline-Mechanical locomotive. The locomotive, built by the Fate-Root-Heath Company of Plymouth, Ohio, had been used to shuttle coal cars at the Mistersky Power Station in Detroit (The Mistersky plant was run by the City of Detroit Power and Light Department until 2010 when it was sold to DTE). It was to be used at Greenfield Village shuttling locomotives and rolling stock.

In 1993 the Edison Institute added a fourth engine to the Perimeter Railroad program. This 1942, 50-ton diesel electric locomotive was manufactured by General Electric in Erie, Penn. It was first used at the United States Naval Ammunition Depot in Charleston, S.C., to shuttle ammunition to the Navy ships during World War II.

This 1942 G.E. Diesel-Electric locomotive was originally used to shuttle ammunition at the Naval Weapons Station in Charlston, S.C. It is used today to shuttle rolling stock.

The Edison Institute obtained the G.E. locomotive from the Luria Brothers & Co in Ecorse, Mich., where it was being used to switch scrap cars. It was to be used in Greenfield Village to shuttle cars and fill in for the steam locomotives when necessary.

The Detroit & Mackinac Railway Caboose

This circa 1912 Detroit & Mackinac Railway caboose was donated by the D & M in 1979. For a few years it was used as an operational member of the Perimeter Railroad.

This Detroit & Mackinac caboose, originally built circa 1912, was probably in service until 1964 when caboose service was ended by that railroad. After its railway service ended, this caboose was displayed in Tawas City Park for five years. The caboose was then taken back to the D & M shops were it was restored and made a prominent display in their own museum.

In 1979 D & M donated the caboose, three other cars and a 1914 Baldwin locomotive to The Henry Ford.

This Greenfield Village Water Tower is a 39,000-gallon replacement for the original 14,000-gallon water tower. The original water tower was a gift from the New York Central System and was installed in the mid 1950s.

The Greenfield Village Water Tower

Between the Smiths Creek Depot and the Roundhouse stands an impressive red structure (Figure 9). That structure is the Greenfield Village Water Tower.

The original water tower for Greenfield Village’s railroads was a 1943 gift (Accession 43.36.1) to Henry Ford from the New York Central System. The water tower had been used inside Michigan Central Railroad’s Bay City Junction repair facility in Detroit. The 14,000-gallon water tower was installed in the same location as our current tower sometime in the mid 1950s. Since there was no operational railroad until 1971, it was not functional but part of the Smiths Creek exhibit.

An Oct. 12, 1971, memo indicates the water tower was to be inspected, caulked and repaired as needed for “Perimeter Railroad” operation.

The Michigan Central tower was used for train operations until 1993 when it had become deteriorated to the point it was no longer practical to maintain it. In 1993 a new 39,000 gallon water tower was purchased. The new tower was supplied in kit form from the Rosenwach Tank Company of Long Island City, N.Y.

This water column, across from Firestone Station, is one of two supplied water by the Greenfield Village Water Tower.

The Firestone Water Column

Water Columns were used to supply water to steam locomotives in areas where space is too limited to have a water tower. This unit (Accession: 2002.171.1) was made by The American Valve and Meter Company of Cincinnati, Ohio. The Firestone water column and one outside the DT&M roundhouse (accession: 93.204.1) are connected to the water tower by pipe. The one pictured is representative of columns produced by American Valve and Meter between 1925 and 1955.

Don LaCombe is Supervisor of the Transportation and Crafts Program at The Henry Ford

I made my rounds through the village earlier this spring, trying to catch every dramatic presentation offered during the spring season. The spring program is getting ready to wrap up (June 14) as the summer season runs June 15-Aug 18.

There was some overlap of what is presented in both seasons, but some are exclusive to each season.

To say history comes alive isn’t quite adequate. I think that happens more or less in the context of the period clothing and presentations that go on in some of the buildings in Greenfield Village.

The dramatic programs are different. They are carefully crafted little snips that give visitors a quick – yet highly entertaining glimpse – at some of the stories of history. They’re not too long – which is nice, since there’s always so much to see at the village. They’re clever and engaging for visitors of all ages. There’s always a little humor, maybe a little drama and many include some sort of audience involvement (which is thoroughly enjoyed by the younger set).

And, quite literally: The village really is a stage. The programs are presented all over the place.

There are dramatic performances at the Scotch Settlement Schoolhouse, in the Menlo Park yard, near the Ford Motor Company, on the porch of the Wright Home, near the Susquehanna Plantation, in Martha-Mary Chapel and in the Town Hall. (And once it’s summer – those roving Greenfield Singers will pop up just about everywhere.) There are so many opportunities to catch the programs during a visit. Another plus, since many are in open air “theaters” (in other words – some benches on the ground), you don’t feel disruptive arriving after the presentation has started, and the actors do a great job of welcoming everyone.

Huck Finn shares stories of that clever Tom Sawyer and author Mark Twain

Coming back for the spring season were many perennial favorites including “C” is for Citizenship, Tales from Huck Finn, Laura’s Little Town, Tally’s Tales and others.

“We brought back Henry’s T this year in honor of Henry Ford’s 150th birthday,” Elaine Kaiser, the manager of dramatic programs at The Henry Ford, told me.

Henry Ford arrives in a Model T. He’s ready to tell investors about his new automobile venture.

Henry’s T was last presented in 2008. This time, Elaine said a Model T stays as the centerpiece of the presentation as Henry Ford convinces investors just why his new automobile is revolutionary and worth the risk. Henry’s T plays twice each day near Ford Motor Company and the Bagley Workshop.

Henry’s T is short and sweet, which is good – since the actors portraying Henry Ford do double duty – the three men who will play him are also part of the Home from Kitty Hawk program at the Wright Home or Edison’s Light Fantastic interactive presentation at the Menlo Park yard.

With the help of their sister Katherine, Wilbur and Orville Wright take visitors on a journey through their adventures at Kitty Hawk.]

“It’s exciting to get the actors back,” Elaine said. Those performing in the spring shows are seasoned and ready to go. There are new twelve actors who join some veterans in the summer season, rehearsals for which begin mid-month. Elaine just recently celebrated 20 years of theater at The Henry Ford – but she said she always finds welcoming a new spring season promising. (She’s actually written most of the material presented in the programs.)

Laura Ingalls shares some favorite family stories in “Laura’s Little Town.”

I took this photo last summer during the annual Old Car Festival. (Laura’s Little Town is presented Thurs-Sun only in the spring season.)

Teacher Mrs. Nardin, welcomes students to the Scotch Settlement School House for class: “C is for Citizenship.”

Students are part of the presentation at the Scotch Settlement School House. They review lessons on the Constitution, spelling, elocution and more, with the school master Mr. Chapman or substitute teacher Mrs. Nardin.

A young Thomas Edison interacts with guests as he shares with them news about his electrifying inventions.

The exciting 15-minute Edison’s Light Fantastic kept students riveted as they learn about the genius of Thomas Alva Edison.

“Elijah: The Real McCoy” plays in the Town Hall.

Inventor Elijah McCoy grabbed audiences right from the start and takes them on an exciting journey through eight decades of his life in Elijah: The Real McCoy.

Votes for All gives visitors a little taste of a suffragists’ rally as they worked for women’s right to vote.

The interactive Votes for All in Martha-Mary Chapel tells of the years of struggles women faced along the journey of earning the right to vote. Fun, engaging and a little sing-a-long makes for a great program.

I never want to miss any of them, but my personal favorite is Tally’s Tales. Tally is a cook at the Susquehanna Plantation. She takes a break from work to tell visitors some uplifting – and fun – stories, including one about Buh Rabbit.

The programs in the village are so good because of the quality of material, the environment in which they are presented and the actors – who are just plain fantastic. I’m always a bit amazed at their ability to completely become the characters they portray, and then present those characters with the flexibility required to accommodate blasting trains whistles, Model T engines and horns, overhead airplanes, the commotion of moving visitors and all the other activity that part of the busy village every day.

What’s currently on schedule? (Summer schedule coming soon.)

Edison’s Light Fantastic – at the Menlo Park yard 

Meet Thomas Edison in this 15-minute play and hear about one of his most “electrifying” inventions. This one-man show gives a glimpse into the inspiring life, work and mind of Thomas Edison. Edison speaks to a group of reporters visiting his complex on the day after his first public demonstration of the world’s first practical incandescent light bulb on Dec. 31, 1879, at 11 a.m., 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. Mon-Fri only.

Henry’s T – near Ford Motor Company
To celebrate Henry Ford’s 150th birthday, come meet him in this interactive 10-minute play, and hear how he was inspired to build the world’s universal car: the Model T. Find out why the Model T was so revolutionary and how Henry Ford’s visionary thinking and hard work allowed him to put the world on wheels.
11 a.m. and noon, Mon-Fri only.

Home from Kitty Hawk – on the porch at the Wright Home 

Experience the thrill of the Wright brothers’ first flight as they take you back to that amazing and inspiring day in this 20-minute play. It’s December 23, 1903, and Orville, Wilbur and their sister Katharine share the brothers’ adventure in Kitty Hawk. They recount their first flights that made history and forever changed the world daily at
10:30 and 11:30 a.m., 12:30 and 1:30 p.m.

Laura’s Little Town – near Scotch Settlement School
Meet young Laura Ingalls before she became a teacher and hear some of Laura’s favorite stories about her family’s time in DeSmet, South Dakota, including the return of Nellie Oleson and the first time she met Almanzo Wilder. See Laura at 11:15 a.m.; 12:15, 1:15 and 2 p.m. Thurs-Sun only.

Tales from Huck Finn – near Scotch Settlement School 

Meet Huckleberry Finn, one of Mark Twain’s most beloved characters, and hear a few of his memorable adventures. Favorite scenes and escapades from 1885’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and 1876’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer come alive in this high-energy 15-minute show at 10:45 and 11:45 a.m.; 12:45 and 1:30 p.m. Mon-Fri only.

When was the last time you spent the whole day outside simply having a good time? For many of us busy schedules and commitments keep us at our desks, behind the wheels of our cars, and inside our homes far too often. But not this Saturday!

This Saturday is National Get Outdoors Day and Greenfield Village is gearing up for a day packed with activities. As one of 11 national signature sites, Greenfield Village is the place to be to enjoy the great outdoors this weekend.

Since 2008, Get Outdoors Day encourages folks to visit public lands and recreational areas all across the country. Lead by the USDA Forest Service and the Department of Agriculture and now in its sixth year, Get Outdoors Day is a time for us to encourage younger generations the importance of appreciating our natural surroundings.

What’s in store at Greenfield Village? A lot! Our Village Pavilion will be home to a variety of environmental programming throughout the day. You can visit the William Ford Barn, meet our historic horseback forest ranger, and maybe even win a prize or two. What else can you expect? Take a look.

• Historic Ranger Presentation (Village Green): 10 a.m., 12 p.m.
• William Ford Barn Open: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Meet Woodsy Owl and Smokey Bear (Village Pavilion): 11 a.m., 1 p.m.
• Junior Forest Ranger Swear-In Ceremony (Village Pavilion): 1 p.m.
• Historic Base Ball Home Opener – Lah-De-Dahs vs. Wyandotte Stars (Walnut Grove): 1:30 p.m.
• Guided Oxbow Island Hike with The Henry Ford and the U.S. Forest Service (Depart Village Pavilion): 2 p.m.

Several Get Outdoors Day partners will be joining us at Greenfield Village this Saturday, too, talking about their organizations and how you can learn more to get involved once this special day has come and gone.

• USDA Forest Service Urban Connections
• Huron – Manistee National Forests
• Hiawatha National Forest
• Boy Scouts
• Belle Isle Nature Zoo
• Saint Clair Metro Park, Huron Clinton Metro Parks
• Michigan State University Extension – Nutrition
• Michigan State University Extension – 4–H
• Michigan Geocaching Organization
• The Greening of Detroit
• WoodCraft Kits
• US Fish and Wildlife Service

We’re very excited to play host to some of Michigan’s great outdoor-related groups this Saturday. The day’s activities are included with admission to Greenfield Village. Want to learn more? Check out Get Outdoors Day website. We hope to see you ready for fun this weekend.

The “Boys of Summer” will soon take the field for another season of historic base ball in Greenfield Village (and yes, base ball is two words here – in the time period we represent, base ball was spelled with two words unlike today). This Saturday is the home opener (The Lah-De-Dahs are hosting the Wyandotte Stars Base Ball Club) and marks the 20th season of the historic base ball program at The Henry Ford.

The program began on a very small scale in 1993 with a hand full of employees volunteering to make up a club of nine. The idea and concept of a historic base ball program came while researching the J.R. Jones General Store in Greenfield Village. In the early 1990s, the J.R. Jones General Store received a major re-installation, overhaul of maintenance and repair needs, as well as new and updated presentation priorities. While searching through the Waterford, Mich., area newspapers, where the General Store originated, references were made to the Lah-De-Dahs base ball club from the area.

The first season of the re-created Lah-De-Dahs saw the club wearing reproduced white base ball shirts with a red script “L.” Players wore non-descript white painter’s pants as the period clothing department made matching knickers style bottoms. Little is known about the uniform of the Lah-De-Dahs, but a small color clue was provided in the Pontiac Bill Poster newspaper on Sept. 14, 1887:

“As the contest went on, slowly but surely dawned upon the minds of all the truth that a fine uniform does not constitute a fine pitcher, nor La-de-dahs in their mammas’ red stockings make swift, unerring fielders.”

Only a few matches were played that first season with an amalgamation of rules from various “understandings” at the time. A couple of matches played in one of the Firestone Farm’s harvested wheat field wherein the Lah-De-Dahs club played the Firestone Farm hands before whatever crowd gathered along the farm lane. A couple other games were played on the Activities Field (Walnut Grove) with outside clubs coming in to play.

Over the course of the next two seasons, complete reproduction uniforms were hand made for 25 players that made up the Lah-De-Dah roster. By 2002, the home schedule consisted of no more than a dozen games, playing only on select Saturdays throughout the summer. Games were only scheduled when visiting opponents could be recruited to make the trip to Dearborn. The addition of the Dodworth Saxhorn Band on a few of those dates combined with the wonderful pastoral setting of Walnut Grove made for some very memorable experiences.

The popularity of the historic base ball program increased with Greenfield Village visitors each year. The request for a more consistent base ball schedule with more games also intensified as an emerging Lah-De-Dahs fan-base grew.

The colossal Greenfield Village restoration in 2003 heightened the stakes of programming and the historic base ball program stepped up to the plate so to speak. Mr. and Mrs. Edsel Ford provided financial support that made it possible to plan and deliver an entire summer of base ball. The Henry Ford was able to expand the program in three areas; daily offerings of period base ball, the formal nine inning game played by the rules of 1867 on both Saturday and Sunday every weekend of summer season, and the development and expansion of the World Tournament of Historic Base Ball, based on the original and first-ever World Tournament of Base Ball hosted by the Detroit Base Ball Club that took place in Detroit in August of 1867.

With the start of the 2004 season, the 12-game schedule was expanded to 30 games. In order to insure an opponent for the now beloved Lah-De-Dahs, a new Greenfield Village club was created. A simple name was chosen from among those who had originally played in the tournament in Detroit, the National Base Ball Club. Striking dark-blue-and-gold shield front uniforms were purchased along with a new set of the familiar red-and-white uniforms of the Lah-De-Dahs. The roster was also expanded to 42 players.

Greenfield Village’s daily program now includes Town Ball or Massachusetts Rules. This important program element allows Greenfield Village the capacity to offer a base ball experience on weekdays in the summer season. The chaotic rules of the early version of base ball, the soft ball, and minimal equipment needs made this a perfect choice for a game to be played on the Village Green. A dedicated staff now teaches and plays Town Ball with families throughout the day on weekdays all summer long.

Other key investments include a uniquely designed sound system on the primary base ball field, Walnut Grove. The system, installed on the outside of several strategically placed permanent garbage cans, allows the umpire and scorekeeper, by way of invisible cordless microphones, to present essentially a 19th century version of a play-by-play account of the game. The specially trained core of umpires and scorekeepers now are able to combine theatrical and interpretive techniques in the calling of each game. The play-by-play, live music and unpredictable nature of gloveless play makes for a very entertaining afternoon.

To further enhance our guests’ experiences, food opportunities were added to the field using contextual temporary structures in keeping with the rural/pastoral feel of the field. A huge hit with the visitors and fans has been the introduction of historically inspired base ball trading cards of the volunteer players. Throughout the entire game day, fans of all ages, but especially children, approach the historic base ball players wanting autographs on their base ball cards and/or programs.

Baseball Bat Presented to John L. McCord for First Prize at the World’s Tournament of Base Ball, 1867 (Object ID: 2005.85.1).

This is considered baseball’s first official rule book. Author Henry Chadwick was a sports journalist and leading promoter of the game. (Object ID: 2003.12.1)

Although Greenfield Village now has two official clubs, the Lah-De-Dahs and the Nationals, many veteran staff and visitors associate the Lah-De-Dahs as the “home” club of The Henry Ford. With great matches, excellent sportsmanship and many close games going to either club, the fan base has evolved to embrace both clubs with equal partisanship.

The base ball clubs of Greenfield Village play every Saturday and Sunday from June 8 to Aug. 18, with the World Tournament of Historic Base Ball Aug.10-11. As an American innovation, base ball is touchstone to our past, present and the future. With this program we represent a time prior to professional players when amateurs played for recreation and innocent amusement. For the love of the game – HUZZAH!

Brian James Egen is Program Development Officer at The Henry Ford

My Dad bought me my first car when I was 15. It was a 1963 Ford Fairlane 500.
I was the envy of my whole school. People loved it, and I did to. I still drive it everyday, and am constantly loving it.