This park ranger and his horse were there to show visitors what life was like back then.
 

This lady showed a replica of the first gas engine that Henry Ford created in the early 1900s. 
He did it to prove he could do it and then went on to build automobiles.
 

This is a replica of the first Ford car from back in 1903.      
 

Park visitors could get rides in a Model T Ford, from between 1908 and 1927.  That's 100 years ago!  
 

Some 17 million Ford Model T cars were built before the introduction of the Model A. 
This car was affordable by average Americans and production line employees for as little as $260 per car in 1925.
 

They were seen on the road when horses were still the main mode of transportation.   
 

Mark decided to see how they run.  He was accompanied by a couple of ladies.
Does Paula know about this?  
 

Controls on this car are different than you might expect.  First, there is no gas pedal on the floor. 
Engine speed is controlled by a lever on the steering wheel. 
The left pedal changes the transmission between first and second speed.  The right pedal is the brake. 
The middle pedal is reverse!  The car will whiz along at about 30 miles per hour.  Not bad for 100 years ago.
 

A statue of inventor Thomas Alva Edison was there too and an Edison re-enactor told the story of the invention of the light bulb.      
 

Next stop the Wright Brothers home with Wilbur, sister Katharine and Orville Wright telling the story of the first powered flight.
The house you see is their actual residence, purchased by Henry Ford and transported to this site for everyone to appreciate.  
 

A steam engine train circles the grounds and is a delight to visitors.  
 

All aboard!    
 

It is a real hit with visitors as it chugs along. 
 

Then there was a Vaudeville stage with actors doing a great job singing and dancing.
 

They won the hearts of the audience.  
 

Who could ask for more?
 

Hand weaving cloth was a part of daily life back then in another exhibit.
 

Part of the park explained how glass was blown 100 years ago.  A fascinating study.
 

The the glass blower fired the glass to a bright orange.

Questions, Comments?  Email Mark Persons  teki@mwpersons.com