Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation

It's that time of year again for our annual renewal of our Greenfield Village membership at The Henry Ford. We have renewed year after year and enjoyed our membership immensely and in so many different ways over the years. When we bought our first membership, my husband and I were newlyweds. We had no children as of yet and were happy to walk around the village and explore the beautiful houses. We'd walk arm in arm through the museum and spent many an afternoon walking the same streets, reveling in the new things we would notice with each returning visit. As our family grew, we found that pushing a stroller through the village could be relaxing and the perfect activity that we could do as a family, no matter the age of our children. We visited during Harvest Days to take pictures of our newly walking little one playing in the beautiful fall colored leaves and to ride the old fashioned carosol for the first time. A few years later we would do the same with our second little bundle of joy. After six years, had we seen every part of the Village that we could see? Have we explored each and every house and thouroughly as we could or was there still more there to interest us? There is always something new happening at The Henry Ford and Greenfield Village! We've begun buying the Family Plus membership so that we can bring friends or family along with us. When we renewed our membership this time we got our tickets for Holiday Nights which we attended with our children and my parents. There were carolers and ice skating, beautiful homes decorated for the holidays, carriage and Model T rides, bonfires to keep warm by and delicious treats to discover. We tasted homemade doughnuts covered in cinnamon, fresh and hot, right out of the fryer, and oh, so delicious! At the end of the evening, we stopped and saw Santa on the balcony of the Webster house. He called out to my children by name and they beamed with joy as he waved to them and wished them a Merry Christmas. The kids even got to meet one of Santa's reindeer. Fireworks were the actual finale to the evening but with two freezing tots we headed for the car after stopping to warm our hands by the fire and check out the stores on the way out. As we were leaving there were real trees, wreaths and greenery that you could being sold to decorate your home just like those in the Village. Holiday Nights runs from 6:30-10 PM and require ticket purchases ahead of time. Tickets sell out quickly for the holiday celebration. more

Greenfield Village is a wonderful day trip for those with children that are a little bigger. Our 4 year old enjoyed it but it wasn't really her thing, she wanted to go on the carousel etc. A nice place to learn about the history of many different people, see the Wright brothers home, see how glass is blown and so on. It is a great experience for those of all ages. It is now a lot more pricey than it was for just the Village you can expect to pay $20 per adult, plus parking and for children over 5. Also the ride passes are $10 a day per person a bit steep in my opinion but you can do the Model T, Boat, Carousel and train. more

This is a wonderful way to spend a day. This museum really has something for everyone. I went with my parents and all of us loved it. They have historical items, novelty items, and mechanical items. The only downfall is that it seems like you can't see it all in one day without getting tired!! Enjoy! more

The Henry Ford Museum is a great museum for people of all ages. The collection of Americana is extensive. They museum is laid out well, with objects grouped into collections ranging from home appliances to cars to light bulbs and beyond. It's a fascinating place to wander through. Throughout the museum you will also find hands on activities for kids. There are two restaurants within the museum so you don't have to leave to get something to eat, as well as gift shops. During the holidays the museum is beautifully decorated and they have special events going on. more

Greenfield Village is a really cool place. It's the sort of place a family can go and everyone will be entertained, from the kids to the parents and grandparents. The Village consists of a multitude of homes from America's history and these are the actual homes. For instance, they have the original Heinz factory, the boarding house that Thomas Edison lived in and first wired for electricity, Edison's lab, the Wright brother's bike shop, etc. There are also homes that depict specific periods of time in America. In addition to homes, there is also a working blacksmith's shop, bakery and print shop. There is a train the travels through the village as well as a steam boat that you can ride, a carousel and an arcade. Each building is staffed with trained and knowledgeable staff that will tell you about the building, it's history, the way things were done at the time, etc. and they are available to answer question. You'll see people practicing their trades in the print making shop, the bakery and other buildings. There are several restaurants within the village to get food and snacks, or you can pack a picnic lunch. The grounds are kept very clean and everything is done incredibly well. This is really a great place to learn about America's history and have a lot of fun. more

Greenfield Village brings history to life for all ages. There's not much to say about it except that it has one of the most extensive "walk-in" sets of historical sites in the nation. The Village is arranged in ways that make you feel like you're back in specific time periods! It's incredible to be able to walk and talk in the same places some of the most influential people in this country have stood. Children will get a kick out of the field activities. It's very family friendly! It's the kind of place that makes learning fun. If you need a place to escape in Dearborn, visit Greenfield Village! more

The Henry Ford Museum is the type of place that you can't miss if you come to Dearborn. It has so many different "living history" attractions that it's almost overwhelming! There's something for everyone. There have been a lot of updates in recent years and they've been all awesome ones! The "Your Place in History" section is probably one of the attractions that everyone can relate to. Parents will get a good laugh out of old Dick and Jane books while kids will delight in seeing themselves on "MTV." There are also interactive shows and events always going on. The ambiance is very welcoming! The food courts are a bit pricey, but the entire place is well worth it. more

There are truly some unbelievable items on exhibit at this massive history museum. I was awestruck when I viewed the Presidential Limousine that John F. Kennedy was assasinated in. (Other Presidential vehicles are also on exhibit including Teddy Roosevelts horse drawn carriage). They also have the chair that Abraham Lincoln sat in when he was assasinated, it still has the blood stain on it. You can also view (and sit in) the bus where Rosa Parks initiatiated America's quest for freedom and equality. These are just some of the spectacular exhibits you will find. Full size locomotives and planes are on display, the sheer enormity of them will amaze you. Touring exhibits are also frequently featured. I wouldn't recommend visiting the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village in the same day. There's just too much to see & too much that could be overlooked. This is a must for anyone in America to visit. more

This has to be one of the most innovative and spectacular history museums there is. I feel privileged to live so close to Greenfield Village. You can visit the workshop of Thomas Edison, where Henry Ford built the Model T, the house where the Wright Brothers lived, working farms, an old steam riverboat, historic depots and ride on an authentic steam or diesel train. You can also watch baseball being played just like they did in the 1800s. Don't miss the 1913 carousel with ornately carved animals. You can also take a ride in a Model T! You won't be disappointed here! Definitely plan a full day for the village. A great way for kids to learn history too! more

Henry Ford Museusm has living history- from the car JFK was shot in to the bus that Rosa Parks rode. You'll spend the day reliving the past through actual artifacts from our country's history. This is a very family friendly museum with lots of restrooms, cafes, gift shops and more. Make sure to visit Greenfield Village while you're in town! more

This is the best "museum" I've ever been to- you will want to spend the entire day AND make sure you take the kids! The whole museum consists of actual homes of famous Americans brought from around the country. You can go inside where re-enactors show you how life was lived during the turn of the century. It's all outside so plan for good weather only. They have a Halloween walk for the kids as well as special programs over the holidays that you won't want to miss. more

Henry Ford Museum is home to countless pieces of American's history from the chair that Abraham Lincoln was shot in to a huge historic automobile collection. The museum is divided into sections and each area showcases items from America's history, whether it be washing machines and other domestic items to contemporary furniture. There is something interesting for everyone in this museum. There are two cafeterias within the museum so you don't have to leave to get food and, of course, there is also a gift shop where you can buy reproductions of old toys, books, items made in the museum and Greenfield Village and many other things. more

Greenfield Village is a one of a kind museum, although I hesitate to call it a museum. It is set up like a village and is home to several homes/buildings from America's history such as the original Heinz Factory, the Wright Brother's Bike Shop and Thomas Edison's Lab, to name a few. In each home, you will find people in period dress that will tell you the history of the home and answer any questions. Often times they are also engaged in activities of the time whether it be working in the home's garden, preparing food in the kitchen, or decorating for the holidays. Greenfield village also boasts a ferry boat that you can take a ride on, a carousel, a game arcade and a train that circles the property. You should definitely plan on spending a full day here to take everything in. It's really interesting and a great way for kids to experience our history first hand. more

great place for historical items and a great museum. The village is also a great place to visit. it's nice to visit around Halloween. They have trick or treating in the village so your kids stay safe. I would truly recommend going to this attraction: don't take your business elsewhere. This attraction is worth it. more

If your looking for something to day for the day. Pack up the kids and come here for the day. This place is neat and educational as well. It has people dressed up in the old time clothes and driving around on horse and buggy. They show your the old time ways of doing things like making bread. It's very interesting more

Greenfield Village has been around forever. Two years ago they changed the name to "The Henry Ford" and it is still the same great place to go. I don't like the Village as much as I like the museum. My family and I love seeing "the real thing" and there are tons of exhibits of famous "stuff" at the Henry Ford. You can see the chair that Lincoln was sitting in when he got assassinated and the car that Kennedy was in too. You can sit in the actual seat that Rosa Parks sat in and view Eli Whitney's cotton gin. There are always cool special exhibits (a Disney exhibit is coming up) that are definitely worth the price of admission. All in all, the Henry Ford is a perfect way to spend a hot summer afternoon. Visit- you won't be sorry! more