Detroit’s Henry Ford Museum — Much More Than an Automobile Museum
Detroit has had its ups and downs during the first twenty years of the Twenty-first century. The region has started to see a rebirth of late with revitalization efforts from area corporations and government. While you can point to many new attractions that have helped pave the way to the area’s hope for the future, the Henry Ford Museum Detroit is a 90 year old institution that tops our list of things to do in the Motor City.
The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation opened to the public in June 1933. Originally called the Edison Institute, it set out to be a private educational institute before opening its doors to museum goers.
The name of this place is important because it helps define the scope of the museum. Henry Ford helped revolutionize automotive production through the use of an assembly line, so yes there is a large focus on automotive throughout the grounds. But cars are but a small part of this amazing collection of historic artifacts that cover the 250 acre complex.
You can spend as much time as you want at this museum. It can easily take a full day, especially if the traveling exhibit that they might have when you visit has any interest to you.
Museum Highlights
There are several highlights for us, looking back at our visits. You can tell that the area of the museum used to be a college, based on the building’s look and feel. But once inside, the exhibits come to life and it doesn’t feel like you’re walking into a 90+ year old exhibit.
The Ford has historic displays that would rival areas of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC; that’s how good this collection really is. While there are many to choose from, three historic features of the museum stood out to us.
Since it is the Henry Ford Museum, we’ll start off the list with something automobile related – the collection of U. S. President’s limos. The collection even includes transportation before the era of automobiles, with the horse-drawn Teddy Roosevelt presidential carriage. You can watch the evolution of the automobile, and the security surrounding these magnificent machines first hand reviewing the transportation of Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and George H. W. Bush.
Major Historic Relics on Display
In a more somber mention, you can also see two of the mosts famous presidential limos of the past 75 years. See the limo that they shoved Ronald Reagan into during the assassination attempt on his life in March 1981. Also on display is the limo which carried John Kennedy in Dallas November, 1963.
You would expect to see Lincoln Town Cars on display at the Ford Museum in Detroit. But would you expect to see a full exhibit on Abraham Lincoln?- probably not. Fans of Honest Abe will want to check out the the information featured on the former president. The top attraction was Lincoln’s rocking chair that Abe was sitting in at Ford’s Theatre in Washington DC when he was shot and killed by John Wilkes Booth.
Courage and hope is also on display at the Henry Ford Museum. Nothing tells the story of the struggle for equal rights in the 1950s and 60s south better than Rosa Parks and her refusal to move to the back of the bus. The Henry Ford Museum acquired in 2001 the actual bus that historic moment occurred on and have restored it. Inside the bus, you’ll learn more about Rosa and the movement she helped spark.
History of Transportation
The history of transportation is told through an impressive collection of planes, trains and automobiles. From the locomotives that powered western expansion in the 1800s, to the fascinating tale of the Wright brothers and others that tamed the skies in the early 1900s, you get a chance learn in detail about the machines and the technology and innovation that spawned them.
Auto racing is also well represented in a museum about innovation. The safety advances fueled by racing is well documented, and on display at the museum. Formula One, Indy Car, Stock Car and so much are all there for you to explore including innovations like helmets, fire suits and more.
Americana on Display
Be sure to check out a slice of Americana in the area of the museum that has nostalgic items. Check out the vintage signs for Holiday Inn and McDonalds, or maybe stop by for a meal at the diner. Lamy’s Diner offers a limited menu of classic American diner food, offering a great place to take a break during your visit.
We’ve gone on and on about the many attractions at the Henry Ford Museum, and haven’t even discussed the Ford Rogue Factory Tour or the expansive display of Greenfield Village. Highlights at the village include the actual buildings where Thomas Edison came up with the idea for a successful lightbulb and the workshop where the Wright brothers worked on their airplane prototypes.
The museum also delves into the life of Henry Ford himself. Kudos to the museum for telling the good and bad about his life, including his anti-semitic remarks.
Visit Planning for Henry Ford Museum Detroit
Located in Dearborn, Michigan just south of Detroit the museum is easy to get to off the interstate. They have ample parking and it is handicapped accessible. We’ve been a couple times, including during high traffic weekends. There might be a crowd, but there is so much space and you can go at your own pace and it does not feel crowded or rushed. It is open from 9:30AM to 5PM daily. You can learn about tickets here.
It truly is so much more than an automotive museum! Have you been? — let us know. We’d love to hear about your favorite part of the museum. If you’re planning a visit to Detroit museums, hopefully this helped out. Let us know how your adventure went once you make it there.
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