A century ago, a quartet of celebrities united to become media darlings as they toured the country, sometimes accompanied by guest stars. “The Vagabonds,” as they were called, will be the topic of the June 14 program of the South Windsor Historical Society.
Joe Ouellette of the Ellington Historical Society will present “Ford & Edison's Excellent Camping Adventures” at Wood Memorial Library and Museum, 783 Main St. at 7 p.m.
Each summer from 1915 to 1924, industrialists Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone, inventor Thomas Edison, and conservationist John Burroughs toured a different wilderness area of the United States in a big production involving numerous passenger cars and campers to carry their equipment, household comforts, and servants- hardly roughing it. A photographer also joined them to record their tree chopping and climbing contests, off-road motoring, and campfire discussions of their various scientific and business ventures and debating the pressing issues of the day. The photos and movies were widely featured in newspapers, magazines, and newsreels.
The Vagabonds were joined by Presidents Calvin Coolidge and Warren Harding on two separate occasions. In the 1920's, the trips were pursued by reporters and later accompanied by the members’ wives and their servants, changing the character of the adventures, which were then discontinued.
The recommended donation for the program is $5 ($3 for historical society and library members). Refreshments will be served. For more information, visit http://www.southwindsorhistory.org,www.southwindsorhistory.org, or www.woodmemoriallibrary.org.
