Our Model T Museum

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2012: Our Model T Museum
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hap Tucker on Sunday, July 22, 2012 - 05:14 pm:

Recently my wife and I were able to visit the Model T Museum in Richmond, Indiana. It was a great experience seeing the progress that’s been made and meeting Jay, Barbara, and Ruth. I have been waiting for my wife to figure out how to down load the digital photos from our new camera so I could resize them and post a note. She is the brains behind our digital house. [She also knows how to program the thermostat so it works – I sort of liked the round thermostat we used to have with the mercury in the glass tube – I could see how that one worked.] I’m not really sure what happened to the photos I took – but for some reason only a few of them came out -- so to speak. That’s ok – that gives us another reason to go back and visit again.

The article about the Model T Museum on pages 24-27 of the May – Jun 2012 “Vintage Ford” does a great job of documenting how it has gone from a “hope,” to a pole barn, to a refurbished building, to an almost completed museum. If any of you do not have a copy of that article, but you would like one, please click on my name at the beginning of this post. My e-mail address is the third line down. Just send me your e-mail address and I will gladly scan it and send a copy to you. We owe a great big thank you to so many volunteers, to Jay for being the “spark plug” behind this effort, and to the city of Richmond for not only being willing for us to be there – but for making it possible by contributing the building and land so it could happen.

I don’t know about you, but for me initially it was “The Model T Museum.” That project some folks were working on far-far away in another state. But somewhere along the way I noticed I started using the phrase “Our Model T Museum” when I would talk to others. I’m sure it would have occurred sooner if I had lived closer and could have volunteered to swing a hammer etc. But I wanted to share with you how proud I was when I walked through those doors and saw what so many of you volunteers had accomplished! And what so many of us -- who could not go there physically to help with the construction were able to support by donating parts, money, cars (also a TT Truck!) or putting a car on display at the museum. Like the story of the “Stone Soup” the results of our combined efforts are so much more than the isolated parts.

And like our cars – Our Museum has a story to tell to those who visit today and for those who will visit in the distant future. How a kid named Henry grew up on a farm and went on to produce a car that would literally impact the world. Our Museum documents that story and many others with some full size “show and tell” about how the cars evolved over the years. I’m seriously looking into what I would have to do to move to the Richmond area once I am able to retire. I think I could really enjoy volunteering to work there and answer questions about Model Ts etc. And hopefully influence a few of the visitors to consider checking out some of the local Model T clubs near them etc.

And what about those who may not have yet transitioned from thinking “The Model T Museum” to “Our Model T Museum?” I would invite you to step into “Our Museum” and make it yours. If you can plan a trip to include stopping by, it is well worth the extra time. Or if you can think of ways to support “Our Museum” it is amazing how a small donation of time, money, or creativity can sometimes move something from “The” to “Our” in our hearts. [If interested -- click on the “Donate Now” link on the home page – it is just below the MTFCA logo at: http://mtfca.com/ ]. Or coming up with a way to help promote it such as the Tin Lizzies of Albuquerque did when they restored a Model T Engine and then raffled it off to raise money for the museum (see: http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/257047/300145.html ). That raffle not only raised money but also raised interest and awareness about our museum. And I’m sure there are others of you that have some great ideas that would be a big help also. [Note if your “good idea” will take substantial support and resources from others or the museum, recommend you bounce it off of Jay first – for a sanity check. ]

Again, a big THANK YOU to all of you who are making it possible for us to have “Our Model T Museum.”

Welcome to Our Model T Museum:



Thank you Jay for being the spark plug for our dream!



Ever remember staring at the cut-away to get a better idea how it really worked?



The bookshop and gift store. And the "raffle engine" from the Tin Lizzies of Albuquerque. It was a little too far for a club meeting so they sent an engine to show support instead.



Gratefully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dick Lodge - St Louis MO on Sunday, July 22, 2012 - 06:40 pm:

Thanks for posting this, Hap. I am at a frustrating distance from the museum. It's a six-hour drive, close enough to be do-able but far enough to be more than a short jaunt. When it is close to finished (it will never be completely finished, I suspect), I may bite the bullet and go there again.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andrew Deckman, Ogden Utah on Sunday, July 22, 2012 - 09:28 pm:

Could someone post the email address for the Museum. I tried to use the link but no luck.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Barbara Klehfoth on Sunday, July 22, 2012 - 09:53 pm:

Please email me at barbara@mtfca. I will pass on information to the museum as needed.

Thank you,

Barbara Klehfoth
Business Manager
Model T Ford Club of America


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Barbara Klehfoth on Sunday, July 22, 2012 - 09:56 pm:

The link to the Model T Ford Club of America is "admin@mtfca.com"

Please note that I receive those emails as well.

Thank you,
Barbara Klehfoth


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