The Henry Ford Inspires Generations
Greenfield Village, The Henry Ford Museum, and the IMAX Theater
Sep 23, 2009
Learning about history can be fun and exciting. Those that don’t think so just have to visit The Henry Ford. There is so much to see and do that visitors can’t help but have a good time. They will probably learn something too.
The Henry Ford is a massive complex that features buildings, vehicles and artifacts that are important to American history. It consists of Greenfield Village, The Henry Ford Museum, The IMAX Theatre, The Ford Rouge Factory Tour, and The Benson Ford Research Center.
Greenfield Village
When walking through the streets of Greenfield Village, visitors move through time. The village is a unique collection of houses and historic structures that take the visitor through different eras in American history. There’s the little one room Plympton Home built in the early 1700’s that housed Thomas Plympton, his wife Abigail, and their seven children. There’s also Thomas Edison’s Menlo Park Complex where he invented the modern light bulb, among many other things.
Greenfield Village is 80 acres with 83 authentic, historic buildings. As people wander through the buildings, they take a break at the various dining establishments or spread a blanket and enjoy the weather while having a picnic. The streets are really used by Model Ts, which are available to ride in along with various other historic vehicles, some that are even horse powered.
When the weather gets bad, as it is prone to do in Michigan, there is still plenty to do at the Henry Ford.
The Henry Ford Museum
While Henry Ford is rightfully best known for the Ford Motor Company, he was very interested in the ingenuity of others. He was good friends with the likes of Thomas Edison and Harvey Firestone. People would probably expect that the Henry Ford Museum would be filled with cars. Naturally there is a section devoted to the automobile, but people may be surprised to learn what other exhibits there are.
Ford was very interested in manned flight and there is a large section of the museum devoted to the history of flight. From the Wright brothers' to Charles Lindbergh’s flights and other great moments in aviation history, The Henry Ford Museum tells an amazing story. Ford was more involved with aviation than many realize.
The Henry Ford Museum also tells the history of the Civil Rights movement and the struggles it faced. There are Ku Klux Klan outfits and replications of the “colored” and “white” drinking fountain. The bus that Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on may be the most moving exhibit there. Visitors can sit in the same seat Mrs. Parks sat. Going even farther back in time, visitors will come across the chair that President Lincoln was shot in, bloodstains and all.
The IMAX Theatre
The IMAX Theatre at The Henry Ford is another great tool to make history fun and interesting. When watching fish swim by in 3D on the largest screen in the region, it’s easy to forget one is having an educational experience. The IMAX has featured movies about the Titanic, Lewis and Clark, the bayou, and many other subjects. There are also mainstream movies that play at the IMAX Theatre.
In 2009 at Christmas time a CGI version of The Christmas Carol will play in 3D.
The Henry Ford Brings History Alive
The Henry Ford makes learning so much fun and brings history alive. It really is a place where the whole family can have fun. Families can enjoy a time outside among the historical buildings. They can travel back in time in the Henry Ford Museum. They can be immersed in an experience in the IMAX Theatre that is beyond belief. Henry Ford has done us a huge service in providing the inspiration for these attractions.
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