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features 40 lifelike sculptures
patterned after students of De-
troit-area schools. The figures
represent enslaved Africans
aboard a Middle Passage slave
ship, which is included in the mu-
seum's core exhibit, "Of the Peo-
ple: The African American
Experience." Visitors look two
and three times at the lifelike
slave ship and are momentarily
transported to the suffering mo-
ments in history.
Edsel & Eleanor Ford
House, Grosse Pointe Shores,
(313) 884-4222. This Cotswolds-
style mansion on Lake St. Clair
is where Eleanor and Edsel
raised their four children. Kids
are amazed with the tour high-
lights, which feature the many
splendors of the giant 60-room
home. But they especially enjoy
the three-quarter-scale play-
house, a working building near
the main house. If the weather's
Kids are challenged and
inspired when they use
their hands and minds at
all the wonderful exhibits
at Henry Ford Museum in
Dearborn.
really bad, families can take the
tour bus from the main house to
the children's playhouse. You
also can show the little ones the
Indiana Jones-style tunnel that
leads from the main house to the
power house. The inventive Ford
children used to ride their bikes
in the tunnel when it was rain-
ing outside. The Tea Room serves
up kids goodies like lemonade
and peanut butter and jelly sand-
wiches, ice cream sundaes and
chocolate chip cookies. Be sure to
check out the gift shop. There's
normally an intriguing video run-
ning in the shop. Currently play-
ing is Ford Motor Company's
"How Cars Are Built," which tells
the life story of a Mustang.
Henry Ford Estate — Fair
Lane, Dearborn, (313) 593-5590.
Henry Ford built this Scottish
Baronial home in 1914 along the
Rouge River. Check out its pow-
erhouse (Thomas Edison helped
Ford build this six-level wonder).
Tour 56 rooms, including 15
baths and eight fireplaces. A spe-
cial tunnel impresses imagina-
tive kids. It leads to the lower
floor with a one-lane bowling al-
ley and a recreation room where
the Fords hosted folk dancing
sessions. Round out your tour by
dining in Henry's former swim-
ming pool. The Pool. Restaurant
features a variety of tasty sand-
wiches and such.
Henry Ford Museum, Dear-
born, (313) 271-1620. The most
visited historical complex in
North America, the museum
boasts 12 acres of stuff. Best kids -
bets are the "Automobile in
American Life" exhibit, complete
with a 1946 diner and a 1950s-
style drive-in movie theater. Also
a hit is the "Motown Sound: The
Music & the Story" exhibit where
kids can learn (through Septem-
ber 1997) to dance like the Temp-
tations or be a mixing maniac
sound engineer. "Henry's Story:
The Making of An Innovator" lets
kids interact with plenty of gad-
gets. They'll see the "if at first you
don't succeed, try try again...and
again..." philosophy come to life.
Lionel Trains Visitors Cen-
ter, Mount Clemens, (810) 949-
4100. Little tykes and adults
alike revel in train lore and para-
phernalia at this prime choo choo
"museum." The Visitors Center
features miniature trains that
roar through tunnels, over
bridges and all around a detailed
village display. Hands-on fun is
also available. Call ahead to
make reservations for one of the
Wed.-Sat. tours. Gift shop also
available.
Children's Museum, Detroit,
(313) 494-1210. The shapes and
patterns of the stars can be dis-
covered in its Planetarium where
there are demonstrations every
Saturday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
for children and their parents.
Visitors are encouraged to climb
upon "Silverbolt," alife-size horse
sculpture created out of automo-
bile bumpers. The "Treasures
from the Attic" exhibit features
an American Bald Eagle, early
.American artifacts and wonders
of nature. There's also a fasci-
nating Bird Room with dioramas
of birds and how they live during
the four seasons.
Morley Candy Makers,
Mount Clemens, (810) 468-
4300.This traditional family
sweet shop allows little ones to
watch sugar, cocoa and other
yummy ingredients turn secret
recipes into scrumptious edibles.
In addition to a retail store, free
hour-long tours are available
Tues.-Thurs. starting July 15.
Reservations must be made in
advance. No children under age
6 allowed.
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