Greenfield Village Brings History Alive
The Henry Ford's Historical Rides, Houses and Working Farms
Sep 24, 2009
Greenfield Village was founded on October 21, 1929 in Dearborn, Michigan by Henry Ford. Ford wanted to inspire future generations with the traditions of the past. Bringing together a collection of historic American structures combined with artifacts, Ford has created a working historic village.
Greenfield Village Brings History Alive
Greenfield Village has streets lined with beautifully manicured lawns in front of historic homes. The houses were home to many of the people that shaped America. Visitors can wander through the house where Noah Webster wrote his famous dictionary. There is the Robert Frost home as well Thomas Edison’s grandparent’s home where Edison played as a child. Edison, being good friends with Henry Ford, also agreed to have other buildings important to him at Greenfield Village.
The Menlo Park Complex is recreated here at Greenfield Village with some structural element of the original. The Menlo Park Complex is where the first electric light bulb was created as well as the first phonograph among many other inventions. Many of Edison’s original inventions are stored here for visitors to learn about.
Another building that had a huge impact on American lives is the Wright Bicycle Shop. This is the building where the Wright brothers build their flyer that was used for the first manned flight. Everything in there is original from the shop. Next door is the Wright home where Orville and Wilbur grew up and lived as adults. The items in the home are also original. Orville and Wilbur did a lot of the woodwork in the home, like the spindles on the porch rail. These buildings give a unique look into the lives of these geniuses.
Greenfield Village has Working Farms
Harvey Firestone was a good friend and business partner of Henry Ford. The Firestone farm is the house where he grew up and is currently a working farm. Visitors can see the presenters dressed in 1850’s garb working the fields, canning fruits and vegetables, and cooking supper. They raise and slaughter their meat and eat what the produce. They also raise sheep, just as Benjamin Firestone did, for the wool that is used throughout the village.
The other working farm is the Daggett Farmhouse. The setting here is the mid 1700’s. Visitors can watch as the ladies of the house tend the garden, cook in the fireplace and spin wool. The presenters work a full day as if they lived there and answer any questions people have.
Historic Rides at Greenfield Village
Another way Greenfield Village brings history alive is by experiencing historic rides and transportation. Visitors can take a ride in an authentic Model T. There’s no better way to tour the village than in one of Henry Ford’s most popular cars. Greenfield Village also has horse drawn wagons and coaches for people to experience as well as an old fashioned bus.
The other form of transportation that was popular is the train. Greenfield Village has a few locomotives that go around the village and makes a few stops. People can either ride around the whole village or take the train to another part of the village. For the kids, big and little, there is the Herschell-Spillman Carousel that was built in 1913.
Liberty Craftworks in Greenfield Village
Henry Ford also appreciated the craftsmanship that art forms like pottery and glassblowing takes. To preserve this, Ford created the Liberty Craftworks in Greenfield Village. Visitors can come watch craftsman create vases made from blown glass or artisans make pottery from a lump of clay. People can see the dedication it takes to create art.
There is a glassblowing shop, a pottery shop, and tin shop. As the craftsmen work, people can watch and learn about the process. They can also purchase items made at the Liberty Craftworks at shops around the village.
A visit to Greenfield Village makes learning fun. There are many ways that people can learn and experience history. With so many things vying for our attention, Greenfield Village slows things down and lets us have fun.
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