Gozaic of the Week: Greenfield Village

Be prepared to say “Wow.” Because the smorgasbord of history you will experience in Greenfield Village is truly amazing. The indoor-outdoor history complex, opened in 1929 in a suburb of Dearborn, Michigan, presents a kaleidoscope of historic buildings, famous artifacts and amazing stories that fascinate visitors from one to 100.

Greenfield Village is one of five venues of the Henry Ford Museum, which began as the personal collection of engineer, inventor and entrepreneur Henry Ford. “I am looking for a lot of men who have an infinite capacity to not know what can’t be done,” said Ford. Greenfield Village captures the inventions and stories of these people.

What You’ll See
The Wright brothers’ bicycle shop and home. Ford’s prototype garage, where he built the quadricycle. An Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. The rocking chair from Ford’s Theater, where President Lincoln was sitting when he was shot; the bus where Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat; and the Sunshine Special used during World War II to chauffeur President Roosevelt.

You can cheer for a historic baseball game, played by 1867 rules. Investigate the only working late-19th century railroad roundhouse in the Midwest. Visit the tiny courthouse where Lincoln first practiced law. Ride an antique carousel. And select a meal from an 1850s menu at the Eagle Tavern, a historic stagecoach stop.

Visit Tips
Greenfield Village has 81 acres filled with awesome experiences for children and adults. The village is open rain or shine, but closes from Jan. 1 - April 14. You can easily spend all day discovering the treasures in the seven historic districts.

- At Railroad Junction, a steam-powered rail line offers old-fashioned rides.

- Firestone Farm makes the soul of 19-century America come alive with wagons, livestock and fields of ripening vegetables.

- Edison at Work invites you into the great inventor’s Menlo Park complex at the moment he develops the lightbulb.

- Porches and Parlors lets you visit the 1650s Plymton House, the 1750s Daggett Farmhouse and other early dwellings.

- Experience Liberty Craftworks at a time when everyday products were created by skilled artisans in the glass shop, printing office, gristmill and tin shop.

- Stroll down Main Street and visualize the hub of hometown commerce.

- Visit the farmhouse where Henry Ford was born, see where he invented his
world-changing Model T and take a test ride.

Have you visited Greenfield Village? Write a review or share photos on Gozaic.

Gozaic (go-ZAY-ik). Noun. 1) The name of a website, Gozaic.com. 2) The fusion of “go,” for travel and the mosaic of heritage and culture. 3) The mosaic of images to illustrate the dimensions of a featured heritage or cultural destination.