The Henry Ford Museum near Detroit, Michigan
The Henry Ford is one museum containing a huge collection of historic buildings, vehicles, and items relevant to American culture and history. This is a museum to top most museums with a single floor facility with 40 ft ceilings which cover 9 acres dedicated to showcasing the finest collection of artifacts that pertain to the everyday life of all of us.
The extensive Henry Ford Museum has compiled a collection of unique historic and cultural items that are intriguing viewing to visitors of all ages, with a variety of interests. Equally, the museum’s adjoining Greenfield Village, has brought together numerous historic homes and buildings from all over the country.
See the huge display of automobiles that have certainly changed the lives of all of our nation. See their world-famous collection and witness the automobiles influence on the American way of life throughout the 20th century. You will be able to see the last care of the Model “T” series. The company then moved on to the production of the Model “A”. The 4 cylinder, 22.5hp, 5 passenger touring car is marked with Engine NO 15,000,000. Built in 1927 it is a sight to see.
The Tucker ’48 automobile is on display as one of the last attempts by an independent car maker to get into the high volume car business. There were only 51 of these produced before the creator, Preston Tucker, passed away. Made in 1948 this is quite a sight to see.
The Ford 999 Racer won the Manufacturer’s Challenge Cup in 1902. The twin of the racer, called the “Arrow”, and later renamed the “999” set the world speed record of 91.4 mph in 1904! It was built by Henry Ford who was assisted by C. H. Wellis and E. S. Huff with the financial backing of Thomas Cooper. Since there is no hood and sits on a wood chassis it is quite the site to see. Imagine going over 90 mph in this!! Built in 1902.
There are so many cars with so many stories to tell you will be enthralled.
Airplanes, Cars, and Trains exhibited within The Henry Ford
The huge museum houses numerous full-sized vehicles, including suspended airplanes and a dauntingly large locomotive.
The display of vehicles also features a progression of cars and airplanes through time, and visitors can also explore reconstructed interiors of several early airplanes.
Among the vast collection of cars are also a string of former presidential vehicles from throughout the twentieth century from the presidencies of Theodore Roosevelt to Ronald Reagan.
The museum also contains the oldest surviving school bus in the United States, and one vehicle not to be missed is the bus on which Rosa Parks famously took her figurative stand.
The Gruesome Collections of The Henry Ford
Among the extensive collections of the museum are many items connected to the deaths and assassinations of several famous Americans.
The museum displays the chair in which President Abraham Lincoln was fatally shot, and the glass contained supposed last breath of Thomas Edison.
Also, among the presidential vehicles on display is the car in which President John F. Kennedy was fatally shot and the car in which President Ronald Reagan sought shelter following the attempt made on his life.
Greenfield Village
Like other historic preserve settlements such as Colonial Williamsburg and Historic Richmond Town, Greenfield Village has compiled numerous historic houses and buildings from around the country, but Greenfield Village not only seeks to follow periods of American history and architecture, it has also predominantly sought buildings somehow connected to famous Americans.
Among its collection of houses, the village contains the birthplace of Henry Ford, the childhood home of the Wright Brothers, and former houses of William Holmes McGuffey, Noah Webster, and Robert Frost.
The historic buildings also include the first house in the United States to be lit entirely by electricity, the house in which the Heinz Company began, and the court house in which Abraham Lincoln practiced law.
There are also several reconstruction buildings intermingled among the relocated historic buildings, and it is occasionally slightly difficult to identify which buildings have been reproduced. However, overall the village is a treat for history buffs and families.
Dymoxion House
See the Dymoxion House which was the vision of architect R. Buckminster Fuller. You will be able to tour “the house of the future.” The house was designed to be the strongest, lightest and most cost effective ever built. Built in 1946 it is truly a sight to see.
Heroes of the Sky presents a look at Early Flight of the first forty years of aviation. Historic airplanes bring life to the lofty accomplishments of America’s pioneering aviators.
Presidential limousines
On display are also Presidential limousines used in the 20th century. There is the limousine used by President Reagan which was made in 1972. The president took refuge in this care to escape John Hinkley’s gunfire. Going into service under President Nixon, it is also the car in which President Ford was riding when an attempt was made on his life. This is the last presidential limousine that will be preserved, all presidential cars are now destroyed by the Secret Service for security reasons.
President Kennedy’s Limousine is also on display. It is the car in which President John F. Kennedy was assassinated that fateful day in Dallas, November 22, 1963.
You can also see Dwight D. Eisenhower’s “Bubbletop” which was specially built and used by 4 different Presidents. It was first used by President Truman, then Eisenhower who had the plastic bubble top fitted over the tonneau. Presidents Kennedy and Johnson also used the car as a spare until it was retired in 1967. Built in 1950.
Franklin D. Roosevelt had the Sunshine Specila which was widely used prior to and during WWII to chauffeur him to countless public appearances. Built in 1939.
Theodore Roosevelt Horse-drawn Brougham is also on display. He used this on all official occasions. Built in 1902.
Location: 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn, MI 48124-5029
Directions: From the East or West via I-94:
Take I-94 to the Oakwood Blvd exit; go north on Oakwood. The Henry Ford is 2 ½ miles from the exit on the corner of Village Rd and Oakwood Blvd
From the South via I-75:
Exit to northbound Southfield Freeway (M-39), drive 4.1 miles to Oakwood Boulevard (Exit 4). Left on Oakwood and drive 1.8 miles.
From the North via Southfield Road (or I-96):
Take Southfield Freeway (M-39) South 4.5 miles past I-96 and exit at Michigan avenue (Exit 6). Continue on the Southfield service drive (veer left) for .5 miles. At the first stop light, turn right onto Village Road (through the iron gates) and drive 3/4 miles.
Open 7 days a week, 9:30am-5:00pm The Henry Ford is closed Thanksgiving and Christmas days. Greenfield Village: January 1-April 14: Closed for the Winter Season
April 15–November 2: Open 7 days a week, 9:30am-5:00pm
November 3 –December 28: Open Friday–Sunday, 9:30am-5:00pm
Ford Rouge Factory Tour: Open 9:30am–5:00pm, Monday–Saturday
Buses depart each half hour, 9:20am-3:00pm
The Museum is wheelchair-accessible, however due to the historic nature of the Village many of our buildings, strollers and wheelchairs cannot enter all buildings in the Village. We have both wheelchair and electric scooters available for rental on a first come first serve basis. We do not take advanced reservations of wheelchairs/scooters. You are welcome to bring your own children’s strollers, small wagons, wheelchairs or electric scooters (carts) into all venues of The Henry Ford. This equipment is also available to rent on a first-come, first-served basis. Upright scooters (Segways) are not allowed. We also do not allow bicycles, tricycles, recreational scooters, in-line skates or roller skates of any kind.
Service animals are allowed with certain exceptions.
You are welcome to bring a small amount of food or beverage into The Henry Ford, however, we have many onsite vending, snack areas, and one of a kind restaurants to suit your needs. Outside alcohol is not allowed, but beer and wine are available for purchase daily and at many events.
The Ford Rouge Factory experience is comprised of a five-part tour which includes a driving tour of historic auto-related landmarks and behind-the-scenes of the Rouge complex; a look at the history of the Rouge through historic video footage; a virtual reality theatre experience; a walking tour of the factory’s “living roof”; and a walking tour above the actual final assembly area where Ford F-150s are made. While we cannot guarantee you will see the assembly line in full operation, you will still be able to visit the assembly line area temporarily suspended in mid-operation. We will not be building vehicles during daily breaks, shift changes, Saturdays, Sundays, holidays and during the first two weeks of July. Either way, the tour offers unique experiences with full walking access above the factory assembly area.
The Henry Ford IMAX Theatre is the largest screen theatre in the region with 3D capability. We have the very latest in 2D / 3D film and sound technology. You simply have not seen and heard a giant screen film until you have seen and heard it here! We select films based on audience appeal and alignment to the mission of The Henry Ford, which means we do not select every IMAX (large screen format) film. Also, not every film is converted to IMAX (large screen format) and not every large screen format film is converted into 3D. These decisions are made by film companies and distributors and not independent IMAX theatres like The Henry Ford.
Admission: Museum and Village Combo: Adults: $30; Seniors (62+) and Military: $28; Youth (5-12) $22; Child 4 and under FREE
Museum alone: Adults: $14; Seniors and military: $13; Youth: $10; Child: free
Greenfield Village: Adults $20; Seniors and military: $19; Youth: $14; Child: Free
Ford Rouge Factory Tour: Adults: $14; Seniors and military: $13; Youth: $10 and child free
IMAX – Traditional length: Adults: $10; Seniors and military: $9; Youth: $8.50 and Child $8.50
IMAX – Feature Length: Adult: $11.75; Seniors and military: $10.75; Youth: $9.75 and Child $9.95 (children 4 and under are free to the Museum and Village. Children age 2 and under that do not require their own seat are free to the Ford Rouge Factory Tour and the IMAX theater.
Greenfield Village Unlimited Day Ride Pass: Adults: $10; Seniors and military: $10; Youth: $10 and Child Free
Tips for visiting The Henry Ford and Greenfield Village
There is much more here than can be seen in a single day. However, if visitors only have a day, simply look through the museum map, and decide which areas contain the most interesting things.
Also, note that although the museum is near hotels, it is not near any eateries outside the grounds of the museum, and the museum eateries close earlier than the museum itself.
Information for visiting The Henry Ford and Greenfield Village
The Henry Ford and Greenfield Village are located in Dearborn, Michigan.
Apart from Thanksgiving and Christmas Days, the museum is open seven days a week throughout the year from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and admission is $15, with some concessions available.
The Greenfield Village, due to being outdoors, has more limited openings. From April 15 to October 31, like the museum, it is open seven days a week for the same hours as the museum. However, throughout November the village is only open for weekends and from December 27 to April 14, it is closed excepting on selected evenings with special programs.
Tickets for the village are $22, with some concessions available, and there is a combined ticket available for both the museum and village, which allows a discount.
To a large extent, the village is what makes the museum especially worth seeing, so it is advisable to visit during the months when the village is open to the public.