University of Michigan - Flint

University of Michigan-Flint

American History at Greenfield Village

American History at Greenfield Village - April 24, 2008

To learn about American history, the ELP students participated in a field trip to Greenfield Village. 

Coming to the park is described as " stepping into an 80-acre time machine. It takes you back to the sights, sounds and sensations of America’s past.  There are 83 authentic, historic structures, from Noah Webster’s home, where he wrote the first American dictionary; to Thomas Edison’s Menlo Park laboratory; to the courthouse where Abraham Lincoln practiced law." 

Here are some moments from that trip:

Cedric and Windmill  Cedric and Matt

Yao (Cedric) Amany from Cote d'Ivoire stands in front of a historic windmill.
Windmills were traditionally used to process farmers' grain into flour.  
Of note, the state of Michigan is now exploring new forms of windmill-like technology for alternative energy.
 

Cedric and Ke-Chin Yang (Matt), from Taiwan, stand proudly in front of the festive red-and-white stripes that are part of the American flag.  It is a good reminder of all the different kinds of people that make up the "United States".
 Edison on 'Work' ELP Students have historic Lunch
Cedric and Matt take a moment to think about hard work.
Thomas Edison invented the lightbulb and the phonograph, among many things.  His laboratory complex was recreated and moved from Menlo Park, New Jersey to Greenfield Village in 1929.
He grew up in Port Huron, Michigan. 

The ELP group eats lunch together at Eagle Tavern.  The traditional 1831 menu has items such as "Savory Noodles with Peas and Lettuce," "Salmagundi" and "Vinegar Pie," which are not common items in today's homes.  To complete the time-machine feel, the staff is dressed in historical clothing.  Thank you to Jessica, our server, for lending her smile to the picture!

 

Suwanee Steamboat  Mike Busch, Jacqui Pursel, Tina and Karen
Cedric loves the Suwanee Steamboat. 
The steamboats were important to early industry for shipping goods.
They have been made famous by the works of American writer Mark Twain.		Sharing one of the last moments of the first year of the English Language Program: Instructors Mike Busch and Jacqui Pursel, and students Hsiao-Tien Peng (Tina) and Wei-Cheng Hung (Karen).

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