My family and I recently visited the Henry Ford, a museum in Southeastern Michigan, which is quite large. However, they had roped off a significant portion to renovate and focus on automobile history. They did have a wonderful exhibit on Civil War history, which is the primary reason we attended. However, I did see a small exhibit of interesting “collector’s” items dating from the 1950s through the end of the 20th century.
Say WHAT? “Collector’s” items? A lot of things I remembered from childhood and beyond. Talk about *feeling old.*
From old black and white televisions to computers (complete with *large* floppy disk slots), toys and games, furniture, clothing and shoes, photos and more, I wandered along the small area with a few thoughts in mind. Mainly “Hey, I remember that” to “we still have one of those in the basement,” with a few “wake-up, you’re OLD” memories. Like metal lunch boxes and thermos bottles. Complete with screw-on lids. And I wasn’t even a “lunch in school” kid — my mom was a housewife for most of my early school years, so we walked home. If she *had* to send us with our lunch, we used brown paper bags. But I do remember seeing those tin lunch boxes in school and in stores. Here’s what my dad always took to work:
Due to the magic of television, which was more of a privilege back then and not a right — *if* we kept our rooms tidy, *if* we had our homework done, *if* we came in before the street lights were on, and *if* Mom, Dad and my older siblings weren’t already watching TV, that is. Hey, we would watch anything. And being an early bird from infancy, I watched Saturday morning cartoons like Bugs Bunny, the Flintstones, the Jetsons, Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner, Pixie and Dixie, Huckleberry Hound and Augie Doggie, etc. I loved watching Soupy Sales at lunch time, then the Mickey Mouse Club after school and later Dark Shadows. Now, I rarely watch TV. Go figure.
My younger brother and sister ended up with cool metal lunch boxes, though. Here’s a few of my favorites, just for fun — photos courtesy of www.popculturesafari.blogspot.com.
SIGH. Those were the good old days.
I have ALWAYS wanted to go to Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford museum, but I’ve never been able to talk my hubby or kids into going with me! You have lots of fun stuff on your side of the state!
Hey, what about Meijer Gardens, Holland’s Tulip Festival, Saugatuck and all the beaches and communities along Lake Michigan? But it’s true. Greenfield Village is worth a visit, and there’s a TRAIN too!