Cornerstone of the Ford Motor Co. Green Island Plant with Hand-Carved Initials of "The Vagabonds," 1919
Add to SetSummary
Embarking on a series of camping trips together between 1916 and 1924, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Harvey Firestone, and John Burroughs became known as the Vagabonds. In 1919 the group camped in Green Island, New York, where they carved their initials -- B, E, F, F -- into the cornerstone for a new factory that Ford planned to build in the town.
Embarking on a series of camping trips together between 1916 and 1924, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Harvey Firestone, and John Burroughs became known as the Vagabonds. In 1919 the group camped in Green Island, New York, where they carved their initials -- B, E, F, F -- into the cornerstone for a new factory that Ford planned to build in the town.
Artifact
Cornerstone
Date Made
1919
Subject Date
14 August 1919
Place of Creation
Creator Notes
Signed by John Burroughs, Thomas Edison, Harvey Firestone, and Henry Ford on August 14th, 1919.
Keywords
United States, New York, Green Island
Edison, Thomas A. (Thomas Alva), 1847-1931
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
97.39.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Stone (Worked rock)
Technique
Carving (Processes)
Dimensions
Length: 14.5 in
Width: 12.5 in
Height: 5.5 in
Weight: 50 lb (estimated)
Length: 16 in (display board supporting the rock)
Width: 15.5 in (display board)
Height: 2.25 in (display board)
Inscriptions
Carved: B / E / F / F
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