The first one he appears to have, oddly, sent himself at the age of 19. Greenfield Village is not far at all from where he was living in Plymouth, Michigan west of Detroit. My guess is that this photo is a promotional item and not as old as it looks, as Greenmead Village was and still is a tourist attraction and "living museum" of historic structures collected by Greenfield-born Henry Ford. (You'll see on that website a recent photo of the Greek Revival building you see in this photo.)
I'm assuming this following postcard dates from around the same time (i.e., mid-1930s). His friends Bruce (Haines) and Bob (Warner) seem to have taken a road trip. Seems unlikely they actually visited the Williams Country Club.
"Nels - we have run out of money am sick and tired hope you are same." Damned if I know what that last word is. Here's what the scene looks like now...
Finally we have this acerbic little missive from a friend apparently on an extended east coast stay near Levittown NY. By this time my dad is in college at the U. of Mich. in Ann Arbor.
"...so quiet here that people often call it 'Deathpage.' I may die of boredom, but at least I'll save my money."
Interestingly, Bethpage is now home to another "living museum," Old Bethpage Village, presumably designed to not be boring.
Those postcards are awesome! They had me laughing. Your father and his friends seemed like a lively bunch who'd be fun to run around with. :)
ReplyDeleteNice little glimpses into their personalities and lives as "one of the boys."
Nice post!
I love the witty messages on those cards!
ReplyDeleteI think Bob & Bruce were saying "Come and get us" but with a bunch of apostrophres: com'n'get us. Anyway, the Weirton, WV post card made me sit up and take notice. My daughter's Little League fastpitch softball team played in a tournament there. She learned to skip rocks in the stream between games.
ReplyDeleteFunny guys. I can just picture them roaring with every post. Those two villages seem interesting. Would love to visit them someday.
ReplyDeleteNancy
I have some photos somewhere of the Ford Museum at Dearborn. I shall have to dig them out. That first card is superb. I seem to remember cards with messages like these - "Glad you're not here" was a recurring theme.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sense of humor they have! I loved the before and after pictures of the Ohio River...my how things have changed.
ReplyDeleteKathy M.
What a great post : and I have to admit that I hace been known to send postcards to myself in the past.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely wonderful post! Love when someone makes me laugh.
ReplyDeleteYour father obviously had a great sense of humor. I love the postcard he sent to himself. Here's my guess on the mystery word: comngetus (as in come and get us)
ReplyDeleteTerrific cards that capture a place and a personality too. I like the phrase "early equipage" and shall try to use that this week!
ReplyDeleteI have never sent a postcard to myself but I have been to Greenfield Village a few times. I especially remember Gog and Magog. For historical re-creation I prefer the basement of the Detroit Historical Museum over Greenfield Village.
ReplyDelete