Greenfield Village

Homes, shops, farms, and riding in a Model T

Many of us have a special affinity for museums that we visited as a child. That’s true for me with Greenfield Village outside of Detroit, Michigan. As a child I was mesmerized by all the old buildings. I loved riding in a horse-drawn omnibus. And I was enthralled to watch and listen to the figurines that came out of the tower clock to chime the time every 15 minutes. Also, I always wanted to wander into the Wright Brothers’ Bicycle Shop.

All of that feels much the same to me today. When I last visited, I hadn’t been in a long, long time. It still felt comfortable and delightful!

Overview

The historic community in Dearborn, Michigan, was founded by Henry Ford in 1929. He wanted to preserve America’s legacy of ingenuity and innovation by showing artifacts and buildings that represented the country’s cultural and industrial heritage. He believed that by experiencing the past, people could forge new innovations for the future. He had buildings de-constructed and moved to the Village from across the United States and even England. Even today, new buildings get added. The 80 acres include Thomas Edison’s Menlo Park laboratory, the Illinois courthouse where Abraham Lincoln practiced law, the home of Noah Webster, the Martha and Mary Chapel, a sawmill, working farms, a general store, a carousel from 1913, Luther Burbank’s Garden Office, a Cotswold Cottage, and another 90 buildings.

The Cotswold Cottage and the water tower

The historic buildings, spread across 80 acres, include costumed interpreters and craftspeople who share stories, answer questions, play the role of shopkeeper, and create crafts as visitors watch. I saw glass being blown, pottery being painted, and Model T’s rumbling down the streets. I stopped in the Eagle Tavern for a cold cider and chatted with gardeners at the Cotswold Cottage. Interpreters shared stories in the houses lived in by intriguing historical figures. And everywhere you turn, there’s activity. Horse drawn carriages rolling by. Families playing games. The train rumbling past. People enjoying food and snacks.

Every building at Greenfield Village tells a thoughtful story about history, innovation, and people who made an impact on America. Yet, Sir Bennett’s Clock Tower, that chimes on the quarter hour, as figurines slide out into the open to hammer on the bells, appeals to everyone. Originally, this clock, watch, and jewelry store was in London, built around 1730. Henry Ford was a watch enthusiast and he bought the building in 1928 and had it brought to the Village.

Sir Bennett's Clock Tower

Wellness Opportunities

Our wellbeing is supported and improved by moments of curiosity, creativity, new learning, awe, and moments to step out of our daily lives. Greenfield Village provides all of this and more.

Hospitality

Providing an excellent visitor experience is shaped by not just the art, architecture, and cultural artifacts, but the ways that visitors are helped to feel cared for, respected, and entertained. Greenfield Village furnishes multiple opportunities to sit and rest or contemplate. They give visitors numerous ways to navigate the 80 acres through signage and maps. The gardens and grounds are attractive and well maintained. And the storytelling, providing intriguing information via staff, volunteers, signage, and demonstrations is well done.

How to visit

There is a lot to see! Allocate at least four – five hours, a full day is best. You want to see and do everything, but you also need time to have a meal, sit and rest, and visit a few shops. Wear comfortable shoes and bring whatever supplies you need to spend a day wandering. And be sure to chat with staff whether they are in the role of a craftsperson, an interpreter in one of the houses, or serving food in one of the restaurants. They are knowledgeable and helpful and will add to your experience.

Be aware that in addition to Greenfield Village, there is a huge museum next door, part of the same complex, called the Henry Ford Museum. It, too, is worth a visit. They have Presidential cars, airplanes, train engines, pottery, a glass gallery, a woodworker shop, and so much more. Between both sites, they get nearly 2 million visitors each year.

Mission

Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum provide unique educational experiences based on authentic objects, stories, and lives from America's traditions of ingenuity, resourcefulness and innovation. Our purpose is to inspire people to learn from these traditions to help shape a better future.

Put the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village on your to-be-visited list. You’ll learn a lot and be fully engaged!

Thoughts

As I wrote this, I thought to myself, what is it about Greenfield Village that made me smile as I wrote? Yes, it has intriguing architecture and artifacts, and yes, it has a very well-done visitor experience, but what else is it that appeals to me?

I think it’s because it’s a multi-sensory event. There’s lots of things to see. And, there are the sounds of the horses, the cars, and the train. There are things to feel and touch and walk on. There are the scents of the flowers, the bushes, the food, and even the smell of the furnaces for the glassblowing. And, yes, tastes from the multiple restaurant options.

What about you? Is there a museum or historic site or even a public garden that was a sensory experience for you?

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Also, look out for our first Wellness Meander, an opportunity to step away from stress and anxiety and into restful contemplation of art, via Zoom.