Museum progress report

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2012: Museum progress report
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dick Harold - Noblesville, IN on Saturday, May 19, 2012 - 09:33 pm:

The museum, while not officially open, is entertaining occasional visitors. The floor has been coated and a few cars have been moved in. Some impressive wall photos are complements of Ford Motor Company. It's beginning to look a lot like a museum at long last thanks to the many volunteers who have done a superb job.

Museum pic


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dick Lodge - St Louis MO on Saturday, May 19, 2012 - 09:36 pm:

Thanks for the photo, Dick.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Keith Gumbinger, Kenosha, WI on Saturday, May 19, 2012 - 09:37 pm:

Thanks, Dick. It really looks nice.

Could you possibly post more pictures?

Thanks, Keith


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Craig Anderson, central Wisconsin on Saturday, May 19, 2012 - 10:40 pm:

Here are photos my friend in the "Model T Museum Opening?" thread took while at the museum.

museum1

museum2

museum3


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Craig Anderson, central Wisconsin on Saturday, May 19, 2012 - 10:42 pm:

More....

museum4

museum5

museum6


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Craig Anderson, central Wisconsin on Saturday, May 19, 2012 - 10:44 pm:

Some more.....

museum7

museum8

museum9


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Craig Anderson, central Wisconsin on Saturday, May 19, 2012 - 10:45 pm:

And 2 more.....

museum10

museum11


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Scott Gilham Bellflower Ca. on Saturday, May 19, 2012 - 11:12 pm:

Looking 1st Class!! Thanks to all involved!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By George Button III (Chip), Lake Clear, NY on Saturday, May 19, 2012 - 11:40 pm:

I went to high school in the town next to Ho Ho Kus, NJ!! Museum looks great. Thanks to ALL for all the hard work....Chip


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Sunday, May 20, 2012 - 02:41 am:

There are not enough thanks for all who worked to make this happen.

But I would like to see more photos of that coupe. Especially some of the inside, how it is made.
Regardless, enjoy that car.

By the way. Who's which '09 cross country number two is that?
Thanks to all.
Drive carefully and enjoy, W2


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Garrett - Boonville, Missouri on Sunday, May 20, 2012 - 03:21 am:

I would like to see the new museum, but can't.

I am going to give an honest opinion. Model T's, as with any antique automobile, shouldn't be locked up in four walls - a museum. Do we think that's what Henry Ford wanted them to be? Locked up in a Museum.

It can make me have mixed emotions seeing a group of old cars going into a museum, because they're meant to be driven, not locked up in a museum or at shows where if someone see's a spec of dust they quickly wipe it off. They're meant to be driven.

I know that I'm going to be really hated for what I just said, but really. Did Henry Ford design these cars to be put in a museum or be driven around? Same with these Car Shows that the car's are judged not on performance but looks and "if there's a spec of dust on it" or a "dent in the door." Automobiles are designed to be driven -- not locked up within four walls.

I'll be honest but do you really think the museum owners are going to take these T's for a drive ONCE within 10 years? Like the case of any other car museum, it's more than likely going to be a disappointing "NO."


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael Deichmann, Blistrup, Denmark on Sunday, May 20, 2012 - 04:38 am:

Garret - the museum are "owned" by the club, Model T Ford club of America and are run by volunteers.
I believe some of the cars are lent out by members which means the exhibition will change over time.
I think most here agrees with you, that Model T should be seen on the roads, but to tell the story behind Model T the museum can do a difference for the general public.
Given that the cars circulate, when they are back at the owners, they will most likely be driven, but some T'ers have not just one or two Model T's but 5 - 10 some even more. In stead of being hidden away in a large garage, at least a lot of people can enjoy them at the museum (if they are lend out to it).


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Colin Comollatti - Queensland, Australia on Sunday, May 20, 2012 - 06:11 am:

I agree that any vintage vehicle should be driven. However, locally due to the age of members and the arrogance of some modern drivers the cars are staying in the shed/garage and no one gets to see them.

I have visited a couple of Australian museums years ago that are displaying cars on loan and swapped every couple of months. This gave me the opportunity to see vehicles that I would have never seen if locked away in someone's shed/garage.

Two museums that I have visited that I know this happens are:
National Automobile Museum of Tasmania
http://www.namt.com.au/

National Transport Museum (Inverell, NSW, AUS)
http://www.nationaltransportmuseum.info/

I know there are more out there ...

Does this museum have a website, for us that may not have the opportunity to visit?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dennis Seth - Ohio on Sunday, May 20, 2012 - 07:34 am:

WOW! THANKS EVERYONE FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK. The museum looks fantastic!

Garrett, Not everyone has the desire to owen or operate a Model T Ford but they can learn about them and enjoy them at the museum. I have two Model T's that I drive when I can but I can't afford to owen every Model T body style or year of production but I can go to the museum and see what they are like. I can also learn about all the different after market accessories. I can go to the museum to look at cars similar to mine to see if I have the correct parts and colors. The museum is not a car jail it is a place to get an education.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hap Tucker on Sunday, May 20, 2012 - 09:16 am:

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THE VOLUNTEERS! It is "looking GOOD!" Also thank you to all of the folks that have contributed support financially donated items to exhibit over the years, given moral support, etc. Great progress! The museum already has and will continue to be a great opportunity to introduce others to our hobby.

Colin -- yes, there is a "place holder" web site for the museum -- but it is awaiting the museum to get a little more "squared away" to add the photos etc. I'm 80% sure it previously featured several photos when the museum was in its former location. Currently it is primarily a place holder. And it is probably something where Chris our web master could use some help. If someone (or several) wanted to help provide photos (good ones -- not the kind I take with the thumb in front -- oh -- I guess the digital camera now helps reduce that oops). The "place holder" is on the main page of the MTFCA site, the 8th selection down “Museum.” Or the direct link is: http://mtfca.com/clubpages/museum.htm but at the moment it still under construction and has the artist’s sketch of the proposed new building and a place where folks can donate. [For anyone who would like to donate that button works but you can also donate $10 and get a ticket to win a rebuilt Model T Engine. All those proceeds also go to the museum – see the thread at: http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/257047/289391.html ]

Garrett – something I have found helpful for me is what Dr Henry Cloud calls “play it forward.” For most situations real or hypothetical you can play that situation forward in your mind and come up with one or more possible logical and even illogical future outcomes. It comes in very handy at helping me make better decision at least when I take the time to do it. For example if I thinking about sleeping in on Monday and skipping work. I can play that thought forward in my mind. If next week is a busy week in my office and I have lots of things that have to be done, I better have a very good reason for not showing up on Monday or I will be looking for a new job. On the other hand if Monday is going to be a real sleeper of a day, as long as I call my boss and let him know I plan to take a vacation day rather than coming into work – there would be no problem. If you do that with the concept of “no cars in museums” then where does that lead? Some cars would never be seen – as they are not “street legal” such as the race cars at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/about/35204-Museum/ . Many of the cars are just too slow to drive on the roads today – such as the 1883 1.1 horsepower Benz Patent-Motorwagen three-wheeled vehicle see: http://www.sportscardigest.com/mercedes-benz-museum-profile-and-photos/ for a photo of it in the Stuttgart Museum. While not very close for me today, when I was in the military, I had to opportunity to visit there. I spent a lot of time looking at it as well as many of the other cars in that museum. And some cars are just too expensive to use as a daily driver – at least for most of us to use as a daily driver. You local library may have some of his books or see Google books at: http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sugexp=cqn,rate_low%3D0.015,rate_high%3D0.015,min_l ength%3D2,cconf%3D0.6&cp=12&gs_id=1g&xhr=t&q=dr.+henry+cloud&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbo=u &tbm=bks&source=og&sa=N&tab=wp&ei=HeO4T8jBDZKW8gS2p4nICg&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw., cf.osb&fp=1c00192d667b87d6&biw=834&bih=505 . I especially liked “Necessary Endings” and “Boundaries” And as I have mentioned before, our old car hobby ranges from people who like to research about the cars, people who want to show the cars, people who want to support the museum, people who want to tour the cars, and everything in between. And that is one of the things that makes our hobby so enjoyable. All of us can find an area we enjoy.

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Sunday, May 20, 2012 - 09:19 am:

Yep, I think it's better for a special car to be in a museum where I can go see it and learn from it, than to be hidden away in somebody's garage where I can't. I'm looking forward to a future visit to Richmond.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Coiro on Sunday, May 20, 2012 - 10:13 am:

Garrett, nobody will ever accuse you of apathy. There's a part of me that agrees with you: It's a thrill to see the old iron operating and doing what it was designed to do, whether it's an antique car, steam locomotive, a mighty B-17 Flying Fortress or "Old Ironsides" (Look it up). Yeah, that stuff gives me a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye. But, y'know, sometimes, operating the old machines involves making certain compromises with historical accuracy. For instance, my brass T has an electrical system, turn signals, brake lights and a self-starter to accommodate my crippled back. Oh, it's is a street-safe "daily driver," and loads of fun to take to a show, but the car just isn't of museum quality. With things like light bulbs instead of match-lit wicks in the oil lamps, it's just not a real good representation of the way things used to be. Passable, yes. But not excellent.

Fortunately, there are trainloads of Model T Fords out there. There won't be a shortage of street-safe Flivvers blowing blue smoke all over American roads, so we can afford to set aside a few museum-quality examples for however many years, so school kids and car enthusiasts can see them all gathered together. It's good for the hobby.

From a personal point of view, my Dad used to make an annual ritual of taking the family to the Long Island Automotive Museum to celebrate the beginning of each spring season. It was in this museum, among the dusty relics of a long ago era that yours truly, as a very young 4th-grader, was bitten by the antique car bug. Because of that special place, I eventually became an antique car owner—and my car gets plenty of exercise! See, it wouldn't have happened without that wonderful museum. Museums generate public interest in our hobby. They create young enthusiasts who decide that, "Someday, I'm going to own one of these cars!" And let me tell you, if there's one thing we need that we don't have enough of, it's young enthusiasts. X-boxes, smart phones and Facebook have stolen away the precious, hands-on experiences of youth, like swinging a stick-ball bat and running the bases.

People who visit the museums often develop a desire to see these cars operating. And that's where you and I come in.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Barbara Klehfoth on Sunday, May 20, 2012 - 11:38 am:

Garrett:

"I'll be honest but do you really think the museum owners are going to take these T's for a drive ONCE within 10 years? Like the case of any other car museum, it's more than likely going to be a disappointing 'NO.'"

You are so wrong. The Model T Ambulance has been driven in several parades in the last few years, and other cars in the Model T Museum have been driven as well. Many of those occasions have been featured in the local newspaper, Pal-Item. Do your research please, before you make assumptions.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Walker, NW AR on Sunday, May 20, 2012 - 11:48 am:

Thanks for the pics, Guys. It looks like the Museum is really coming together. I visited the "old" Museum in '08 when I was at the Centennial, and I'm looking forward to visiting the new one whenever I have the chance to do so.

Thanks a bunch to Jay and Barbara and all the volunteers who have unselfishly given their time and energy, vehicles, and dollars to make this happen. It is something that we as a club can be very proud of.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fred Dimock, Newfields NH, USA on Sunday, May 20, 2012 - 12:12 pm:

Great pictures!

I am very happy to see that the museum looks so good. The cars and displays are better than I envisioned. "Yose guys" are doing a fantastic job!!

Barbara - You'll have to excuse Mr Garrett. He's an over-exuberant kid that lacks knowledge about our hobby, the vehicles, and wisdom about when to speak up. :-)
He has a lot to learn!

It is great to see T's operating but it is also great to see them preserved for future generations! Keep up the good work.

As Hap says --
"Respectfully submitted"


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Garrett - Boonville, Missouri on Sunday, May 20, 2012 - 04:14 pm:

I guess I was misunderstood.

I'm not completely against the idea of a Model T museum. I'd just like to see the cars in that museum being driven at least once a year.

I would actually like to see the museum, and think it's an excellent idea, as long as all the cars are driven at least once a year.

I would actually like to thank Jay and Barbara and the workers who made this possible because it looks superb even though I could never visit it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Keith Gumbinger, Kenosha, WI on Sunday, May 20, 2012 - 04:28 pm:

Craig - Thank you for posting those wonderful pictures.

Barbara and Jay and all the others who helped on the new Museum - a big Thank You for all you are doing. This will certainly become a destination for all Model T'ers...

Thanks again, Keith


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