The Henry Ford & Greenfield Village

Henry Ford believed that history should be lived, not dead in books. So he built this huge living museum of American history. Two parts- The Henry Ford: more like a traditional museum, with relics of American past. Obviously LOTS of classic cars (Ford's own first car even!) but tons of other amazing things you wouldn't expect to be in the middle of Michigan. Here we are in a classic car.

The Allegheny Train- 650 tons?! Inside the museum- nuts!

Rick- the Conductor

Sophia at the wheel

They have all American culture-even more recent. It makes you feel really old when one of your favorite toys growing up is now a museum piece.

The Wiener Car!

The actual chair Abraham Lincoln was shot in

The actual (seriously!) bus Rosa Parks refused to move from.

They also have the actual car JFK was shot in- and then tons of other stuff. Seriously the place is 8 acres of American history. You could spend days there.

Okay now part 2- the really living history part. Henry Ford built this beautiful 80 acre village where he brought in real history so people could learn hands on. When I say real history I mean, he went and bought historical landmarks, took them apart, and reassembled them here. A small taste of what is here- and these are the ACTUAL buildings- not replicas or anything. Edisons laboratory, the Wright Brother's bicycle shop and home, Abraham Lincoln's cabin where he practiced law, Robert Frost's house, the oldest windmill in America- the list goes on and on. All of this is tucked in a farm/turn of the century main street type place. The people who work there dress in that era clothing and are so knowledgeable. There's even an actual high school in the place! How cool would that be?! We only had time to see a small fraction of what's here (I had no idea how big and cool it was!) so we'll definitely be going back.

Farm-y animals

There are 3 modes of transportation (other than walking) you can take. Wagon, coal-powered train, or...

an actual Model T! We rode in it, it was awesome!

The Wright Brothers actual bicycle shop- so cool!

And their house

Sophia cooling off with some frozen custard

Have to go on the carousel!

All in all, what an amazing place?! I can't wait to go back again and again! Thanks Henry Ford for using all your money (I don't even want to know how much it costs to ship Abraham Lincoln's cabin) to do something so amazing!