Walking through the impressive Greenfield Village is like stepping into a living museum. Three centuries of history are played out before your eyes in an 80-acre (32.3-hectare) model village. There are authentic historic structures and people strolling on the footpath wearing period costume. See Model T cars and horses pull wagons along the street. Started by famed automobile manufacturer Henry Ford, Greenfield Village has over 26 million artifacts and 83 historic buildings that are organised into seven districts.
Begin in the Working Farms district to see scenes from the agricultural revolution of the 19th century. Admire animals and farming equipment and learn about how people lived off the land. In the Liberty Craftworks district, watch skilled artisans ply their trade with techniques that have been passed down through generations.
Follow in the footsteps of Henry Ford in the Model T district. See the house where he grew up and a replica of the school Ford attended. In the Edison at Work district, discover the work of one of the century’s greatest inventors. Visit the famous Menlo Park, where Edison created the first electric light bulb and many other pivotal inventions of the 20th century. In the Porches and Parlors district are homes and settings from the 17th century to the 20th century, including those of Robert Frost, Noah Webster and Thomas Edison.
Walk down Main Street, or ride on a vintage Model T motorcar or on the Weiser Railroad. See the Logan County Courthouse, where Abraham Lincoln practiced law, and try authentic American food from the 1800s, such as house-smoked meats or the Apple and Cranberry Pandowdy.
Buy souvenirs like a handcrafted ceramic pitcher or glassware from the early 1800s at the Village Store near the entrance to the village, or the Liberty Craftworks Store in the arts and crafts district.
Greenfield Village is part of the Henry Ford Museum and is located in Dearborn, Michigan, a 20-minute drive west of downtown Detroit. Admission prices vary and can include packages with other parts of the Henry Ford Museum. Opening hours differ between the summer and winter seasons and parking is available for a fee.