Greenfield Village

Greenfield Village was founded by Henry Ford in 1929 to preserve and showcase American history through authentic buildings, artifacts, and stories. Spread across 80 acres, the village is home to nearly 100 historic buildings that have been relocated from around the country and meticulously restored. As you walk through the village, you’re transported back in time, with costumed interpreters demonstrating everything from glassblowing and printing to farming and blacksmithing. There are horse-drawn carriages, Model T rides, and a historic steam train that loops the property.

Edward Loranger built his gristmill in 1830 and operated until he was 91 year old. Farmers traveled miles by wagon to have their corn and wheat ground. By the 1890’s farmers began to send their grain by railroad to larger mills, resulting in local mills closing. 

Early powered loom

An early computer. Punch cards directed the weaving

The pottery shop

The print shop

The glass shop

That is a lot of dials, levers and gauges to understand and keep track of.

H. J. Heinz products were first developed in this house. They became a recognizable brand and appealed to customers because of Heinz’s promise of good quality and freedom from tedious work in the kitchen. 

The sign says it all.

Front of their store

The hand crank wind tunnel that the Wright brothers used to design there airplane.

In the back were the power machines used to construct the components of their aircraft.

The Wright brother's home

You can take a train ride around the perimeter of the village.

or you can take a ride in a classic.

Sir John Bennett’s jewelry shop was once a beloved landmark in London, England. A man of flair and imagination, Bennett was especially fond of the mythological tale of Gog and Magog—the ancient giants said to be the legendary guardians of Britain. To honor them, he commissioned towering figures of the two giants to be recreated and displayed on the front of his shop. The building itself rose five stories high and became a striking fixture in the cityscape at its original London location.

Thomas Edison’s machinists took the ideas of Edison and his workers and made them into working models. Many were later made into actual products.

Many of Edison’s most famous experiments were created in this laboratory. 

By 1880, Edison was selling telephones that incorporated his several patented improvements. In this room, the telephones were assembled and packed for shipping.

What a fascinating two days at the Henry Ford Museum.