INSIDE THE HENRY FORD
HENRY FORD MUSEUM OF AMERICAN INNOVATION
CURATORS CONNECT Finding new ways of sharing The Henry Ford’s stories of innovation during a global pandemic WHEN THE HENRY FORD campus closed in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, curators began to work from home with little idea of what that would entail. We’ve been pleasantly surprised ever since, shifting some of our work to involve sharing our expertise and passion for many of the artifacts and stories told within Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in an expansive variety of online and virtual ways. It started with THF Curator Chats on Twitter, in which a different curator each week presents a topic of their choice through a series of tweets with related images. Early chats featured several signature artifacts from the museum floor, like the prototype Eames fiberglass chair, Lamy’s Diner and Holiday Inn sign. During these chats, which continue today, we are able to engage with our followers through questions and comments. Next, we were invited to provide our expertise through weekly live interviews for The Henry Ford’s Learning & Engagement program called Innovation Journeys. Presented to school-age audiences via videoconference, the programming
ONLINE For more information, hours and pricing for Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, visit thf.org/museumc
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delved into the stories of real people who embodied the habits of innovators. This experience allowed us to dig deeper into the lives and accomplishments of many different innovators and has given us practice and experience to help with Learning & Engagement’s upcoming virtual field trips to the museum as well as Greenfield Village (see story on Page 16). Curators have connected virtually with members and donors in a variety of ways, including our Drivers Club donor society (supporting our Driven to Win: Racing in America exhibition) and our CarverCarson Society (supporting our Detroit Central Market — see story on Page 43 — and other environmental and food sustainability initiatives). Curators are also providing their expertise through virtual presentations to audiences with disabilities, many of whom are reluctant to return to our physical site (see story on Page 18). We love sharing our expertise with others, and we now have more ways than ever to do that. The possibilities for connecting with existing and new audiences seem endless. — DONNA BRADEN, SENIOR CURATOR AND CURATOR OF PUBLIC LIFE
TOUCH-FREE MATHEMATICA When Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation reopened in July 2020 after months of shutdown because of COVID-19 restrictions, museumgoers were excited to be back on the floor. Many of them were super excited to get back to one of their favorite exhibitions, Mathematica: A World of Numbers... and Beyond — a favorite because it’s so hands-on. And therein lay the problem, said Jake Hildebrandt, historic operating machinery specialist at The Henry Ford. With COVID-19, the hands-on interactivity of Mathematica caused it to remain closed. Mixing a little bit of ingenuity, technology and lots of problem-solving skills, Hildebrandt, along with master craftsman Brian McLean, ensured the exhibition could remain interactive yet hands-free and open to the public. The push-start buttons on the Moebius Band and Celestial Mechanics installations, for example, are now initiated with a wave of the hand. No touch necessary. And the 27-button panel of the Multiplication Machine has been covered with plexiglass for safety and new software installed so random math problems run on the cube throughout the day for visitor education and enjoyment. “Projects like these, DIY challenges that have high criteria, limited time and budget, are my favorite kinds of projects,” said Hildebrandt. All the alterations to Mathematica are easily reversible, he added, and when you head to the museum to see them, you’ll notice the respectful attention given to the exhibition’s classic Eames styling.
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PHOTO BY JILLIAN FERRAIUOLO