Model Ts to return to Richmond to celebrate iconic auto's 110th anniversary

Mickey Shuey | The Palladium-Item

RICHMOND, Ind. – Crowds from all over the United States and beyond are gathering in Richmond next week to celebrate the 110th anniversary of one of America's most iconic automobiles.

Drivers and enthusiasts from 24 states, as well as Australia and Canada, will converge on Richmond — dubbed T-Town, USA by the Model T Museum, located in the Depot District — the week of July 8-14.

More than 100 Model Ts will gather over the course of the week, partaking in a variety of activities including tours of various parts of the eastern Indiana and western Ohio region. A homecoming parade is among the events scheduled for the week-long celebration, with plans for it to kick off Wednesday evening.

Susan Yaeger, executive director of the Model T Ford Club of America and the associated museum, said she sees a great value in bringing admirers of Model Ts to the Richmond area. She added there is a shared love of the cars between the group and the area as a whole.

“There is a unique, mutual admiration ... between Model T owners and our community," Yaeger said in a statement. "It’s why we’ve named Richmond 'T-Town, USA' and say this is where Model Ts come to play."

►ONSTAGE: Show on Model T's creation returns to RCT; coincides with milestone

Among the tours being taken by Model T enthusiasts over the course of the week are backroad visits to Carillon Park in Dayton, the bridges of Rush County and the National Model Aviation Museum in Muncie.

Throughout the week, there will be a variety of events in which the public can participate, including Wednesday’s homecoming parade, which will start in Glen Miller Park around 6:30 p.m.; those interested in attending the parade are invited by the MTFCA to gather at the park an hour prior to its start.

The parade will exit the park to North E Street and will continue into the Depot District, where the Richmond Dixieland Band will perform. Ullery's Homemade Ice Cream will be serving treats from their store on Fort Wayne Avenue, as well as the Depot building, which will be open for tours.

Model T owners, many of whom will dress appropriate to the period in which the cars were introduced, will be offering insight into their cars and will allow the public to see and ask questions about the vehicles.

►LIVING HISTORY: Enjoy ice cream, Model T's on Wayne County Historical Museum Lawn

Beginning Thursday, July 12, Richmond Civic Theatre will present "Oh! Henry! and the Tin Lizzie!" which follows the story of young Henry Ford working as a machinist's apprentice at 15-years-old, and follows him as he courts his future wife Clara and captures his ambition to create the Model T. The show runs through Sunday, with tickets available by contacting the theater box office at 765-962-1816 or visiting gorct.org.

On July 14, considered Homecoming Day for the week, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., there will be a variety of events in the Depot District, including a swap meet and a car show running along North Eighth between North C and E streets, near the Model T Museum.

Free seminars on related topics will be held at the museum's annex building, which also houses an agricultural display and the vintage machine shop.

Free tours of the museum will be offered throughout the day July 14.

Mickey Shuey is the business reporter at the Palladium-Item. Contact him at (765) 973-4472 or mshuey@gannett.com. You can also follow him on Twitter: @MickeyShuey, or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/MickeyShuey.