A Trip to Yesterday

“…Ford’s great museum and reconstructed village reflected his conviction that history was the story of technological progress” (403).

“Greenfield Village aimed to present ‘a history that is intimate and alive, instead of something in a book,’ Ford explained in 1929” (413).

The Book

Author Steven Watts divides The People’s Tycoon: Henry Ford and the American Century chronologically and topically. Watts defines each stage of Henry Ford’s life with a word: mechanic, inventor, father, educator, etc. The reader is introduced to a young farm boy who grew up to influence many aspects of American life. Henry Ford was born July 30, 1863 near Dearborn, Michigan. At a young age he became interested in mechanics and began work on his first car in 1893. In 1898, Ford obtained his first financial backers and began his quest to create a car for the average person.

In the late 1920s, Ford became interested in sharing his collection of American artifacts with the public. Out of this came Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum. Ford sought to show how the average person lived and required total authenticity. Instead of focusing on politicians or war (which is often what history focuses on), Ford’s history was about the average person and his accomplishments. Greenfield Village particularly supported that history through the four categories: daily life in the past, famous Americans (like Webster and Edison), Henry Ford’s life, and the anchors of towns in the past: a town hall and church.

Watts provides a detailed and well researched biography of a man that is well-known to Americans. The People’s Tycoon is not just the story of Henry Ford, it is also the story of his companies and the people who helped Ford accomplish what he did. It is here that the narrative struggles: by stepping away from Ford’s story and providing biographies of others. The format (chronological and topical) requires some repeating of information, which is helpful due to the length of the book. Overall, the reader walks away with a complete biography of Henry Ford that reveals the good and the bad. 

The Place

Originally called the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village, the Henry Ford now refers to both the museum and village. The museum is a fantastic collection of famous and everyday items from the history of America. Visitors can see presidential limousines, items made in America, and the role automobiles played in American history. The village provides a living history that all ages can enjoy. Majority of these buildings are the originals that were disassembled in their original location, shipped to Michigan, and reassembled. Visitors can explore Thomas Edison’s laboratory where he developed the light bulb, the bicycle shop of the Wright brothers, and take a ride in a replica Model T. I would recommend at least two days at the Henry Ford, because there is so much to see and experience. The Henry Ford is a great place to experience the history of America.

Another Ford sight in Dearborn is the Fair Lane Estate, the home of Henry Ford and his family. The buildings are currently being restored, but the grounds are open to the public. While the Henry Ford provides visitors an insight into American history, the Fair Lane Estate provides visitors an insight into the life of Henry Ford. 
 

The World of Yesterday and Tomorrow

Walt Disney: “You can’t have everything profound…It’s the equivalent of not getting so stuffy that you can’t laugh” (401).

The Book

The Magic Kingdom: Walt Disney and the American Way of Life is not just a biography of one man. Author Steven Watts explores the growth and inner workings of the Disney Studios, the societal and cultural changes throughout the 20^th century, and the way Disney Studios responded to the changes. The Magic Kingdom is an honest look at the man who created an empire. The book is well written and easy to follow; this makes the legend of Walt Disney accessible to his fans and critiques alike.

Walt Disney’s story is woven together with the changing landscape of America. The Disney Studios hit their stride during the Great Depression. Mickey Mouse and his gang helped Americans forget their troubles as they watched the “little guy” triumph. During World War II, Donald Duck was used to encourage patriotism and the Disney Studios created training videos for the soldiers. The Cold War saw an emphasis on American history and success stories. All throughout these changes, Walt Disney guided the studio.

It is made clear that Disney was not always the easiest person to work for or impress. But, the reader does not doubt his desire to entertain the public with films that the whole family could enjoy. Walt Disney World was to be the culmination of Disney’s life and ideas. Unfortunately, he died unexpectedly before work could begin.

The Place

Walt Disney World truly is a magical place. Walt Disney wanted to create a destination where visitors were immersed in the Disney experience at every moment: theme park, restaurants, hotels, and shops.

I have had the opportunity to visit Walt Disney World twice and both times were fantastic experiences. The first time my high school choir performed at Epcot. That was an incredible experience, especially because we were allowed “backstage.” When visiting Walt Disney World, you definitely need at least one day per park (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom). It is also a good idea to plan ahead of time what rides you want to go on and what shows you want to watch. Magic Kingdom is my favorite park because you are able to step into moments from history, fantasy, or the future. One moment you may be riding on the Jungle Cruise and see elephants, the next moment you are walking through Cinderella’s castle, and finally you are blasting into space on Space Mountain.