Explore: Historic Greenfield Village in Dearborn
(Crystal A. Proxmire, July 26, 2025)
Dearborn, MI – There is a lot to love about Greenfield Village, but one thing that really makes a visit to the historic community special is the way people – the actors in the village and the guests – stop to wave when the train goes by.
Around the perimeter of the 80 acre park is the track that carries an 1873 steam locomotive called the Torch Lake #3. This engine used to haul ore for the Calumet and Hecla Mining Company in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula. It burns coal to boil water which creates steam that makes the train move. Visitors can take the train for a scenic ride, or to get to and from various places in the park. You can even see the Gordie Howe Bridge on the horizon.
Passing by the smiling wavers gives people the sense of joy that comes from connection that people in the 1800s likely had when trains rolled through their towns or people came to visit.
Much of Greenfield Village is designed to immerse guests in that time of history when innovation was flourishing, especially here in Michigan. Henry Ford, who was known for nailing down the process of mass production that made the Model T accessible to the masses, started Greenfield Village in 1929.
Greenfield Village has a mix of original and replicated buildings. Inventor Thomas Edison is well-represented in the village, with visitors being able to explore his Menlo Park laboratory complex and his childhood home. The bicycle shop and home of Orville and Wilbur Wright is on display. As is the family farmhouse of Harvey S. Firestone, who built an empire of tires. There’s even a courthouse where Abraham Lincoln practiced law before becoming President.
Main Street replicates the downtowns of centuries past, with a number of shops and restaurants, surrounded by a slew of historic homes featuring bits of history. And there are also working farms with animals and actors using tools from the 1800s to keep them up and running.
Visitors can ride on the 1913 Herschell-Spellman carousel or play old-time games in Walnut Grove Field. There’s also a playground for kids 12 and under. Guests of any age might enjoy a ride in a Model T or a horse-drawn carriage. And couples who want to tie the knot might consider getting married at the Martha Mary Chapel.
There are so many enjoyable things to look at and to do beyond even those I mentioned. It’s easy to spend an entire day or two and still have more to learn.
Greenfield Village is part of The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. It’s located at 20900 Oakwood Blvd. in Dearborn. Check out the website https://www.thehenryford.org/visit/greenfield-village/ to learn more and plan your visit!
Check out places to Explore in Oakland County and beyond in the Oakland County Times Explore Index. We are currently looking for a sponsor for our Explore! series. If you’d like to help us do more stories like this, please contact editor@oc115.com for more info. Or you can make a donation to our website through PayPal.
