MTFCA Forum

Filmed at the original site of the Henry Ford Birthplace at Ford Road and Greenfield (SE corner). Post-1919 after it's first renovation by Henry, moved to Greenfield Village in 1944.

I'm not quite sure those were actually period correct clothes. I think it was staged?
Norm

The communications tower, high voltage distribution power lines and train
in the background might lead one to think it was taken more recently.
Harry

Mid 30's I would say. That traction engine was maybe only 30 years old when that was filmed. But fun clip.

Harry Lillo wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 21, 2021 10:15 pm

The communications tower, high voltage distribution power lines and train
in the background might lead one to think it was taken more recently.
Harry

The "communications tower" is a windmill and the high-tension lines run down the middle of Greenfield Road (to this day, still) and as for the train that is the old D.l.&N. R.R. (Detroit Lansing and Northern) which was acquired by the Pere Marquette Railroad. Here is a link to a Plat Map from the Library of Congress that shows the Ford property in the upper right corner (cropped image below). https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4113wm.gl ... 76,0.799,0

It was quite normal around the world for men to dress in what today we would call 'formal attire' for their normal labours. A poor man would be seen in less formal dress, and it was a way for people to distinguish poor from slightly well heeled workers, be they farmers, road builders etc. Don't forget that railway employees, as an example had to always wear a uniform which involved a collar and tie.

Fun Video, thanks for posting. Some kind of promo, well dressed actors serving as rear ballast, and transplanted stumps, but very enjoyable, jb

Could that have been one of the grandkids? Possibly Henry II or Benson?