Michigan Marvels: Greenfield Village
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Apr. 14—Some people collect stamps. Henry Ford collected buildings. Greenfield Village was born from this collection.
In 1919, a road improvement project threatened Ford's birthplace home in Springwells Township — now Dearborn. It either had to be moved or it would be torn down. Ford moved it and restored it to what it looked like in 1876, the year his mother died.
He paid close attention to detail in restoring the home with exact or similar furnishings, going so far as to have the site of his boyhood home excavated to find shards of dishes so he could have replicas made. Ford began to preserve other historic buildings and founded Greenfield Village on October 21, 1929.
Today, Greenfield Village is home to 83 authentic, historic structures, four living history farms, historic rides such as authentic Model Ts and nationally-renowned artists creating one-of-kind 19th- and 20th century pieces in pottery, tin and glass.
Situated on over 80 acres, among the highlights: Thomas Edison's Menlo Park Complex; the Firestone Farmhouse; Sir John Bennett's clock, watch and jewelry store from London, England; Orville and Wilbur Wright's Dayton, Ohio Cycle Shop and their home; Henry J. Heinz home; Robert Frost Home and a courthouse where Abraham Lincoln practiced law.
The working farms feature livestock, vegetable fields and the implements used on 19th century American farms.
It should be no surprise that historic forms of transportation are featured at Greenfield Village. Visitors can ride the Weiser Railroad, horse-drawn Omnibus Shuttle, a 1931 Ford Model AA Bus or a vintage Model T car.
Greenfield Village opens to the public on Saturday, April 17th. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Greenfield Village is open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday through Sunday.
