Tuesday, July 29, 2008

A Step Back in Time.....

I'm fortunate to live only 10 minutes away from America's greatest History Attraction, Greenfield Village and The Henry Ford Museum, located just outside of the Motor city, in Dearborn Michigan, the home of Henry Ford.
My Daughter, Granddaughter and myself visited the village last week, and I thought it would be so nice to share some pictures and a bit of history.

Greenfield Village is considered the first and largest outdoor museum in America. Nearly one hundred historical buildings were moved to the property from their original locations and arranged in a "village" setting.
The museum's intent is to show how Americans lived and worked since the founding of the country.
The Village includes buildings from the 17th Century to the present, many of which are staffed by costumed interpreters who conduct period tasks like farming, sewing and cooking. A collection of craft buildings such as a pottery, glass-blowing shop, tin shop provide demonstrations while producing materials used in the Village and for sale. Greenfield Village has 240 acres of land of which only 90 acres are used for the attraction, the rest being forest, river and extra pasture for the sheep and horses.

The transportation system provides rides by horse-drawn omnibus, steam locomotive, a 1931 Model AA bus (one of about 15 left known to exist), and authentic Ford Model T's.
While strolling through the Village, I love hearing the "clippety clop" of the horses hooves as they pass by carrying visitors. These beautiful and wonderous draft horses really have it made here at the village.....they have 6 hour work days, and only work every other day, and also enjoy 2 weeks off after every 2 weeks of work.

Living in the city, it's always always fun to see the sheep grazing here in the pastures.
Our first stop was the boyhood home of Henry Ford. I'm sorry....I didn't get a pic of the outside.

The home was built in 1861


Here is the toy box. My Grandaughter was amazed at the simplicity of the early toys.

Here is the kitchen. I just love seeing old and early kitchens, I beleive they along w/ the bedrooms are my favorite rooms of the homes.




Next stop, Cohen Millinery, or better known as a Hat shop.


Elizabeth Cohen opened the shop in 1880 after the death of her husband.
She designed new hats, and redecorated old ones.



This sweet lady was so happy to demonstrate her hat decorating skills for us.



I was amazed at the size of some of these antique hat pins! Some of them had to be a foot long!



A collection of old sewing notions, along w/ buckles, hooks and such.





Throughout the Village, you can enjoy quartettes such as this, singing and harmonizing beautifully! Just look at those pastel colors in those suits. My Grandaughter Zoey thought they were sooooo funny!



I thought the back of this Mercantile was so pretty, surrounded by all the green against the red color of the building.


An old covered bridge



A young man w/ his hoe, in the tobacco fields of a Plymouth Plantation.


The Dagget farm, which is a New England Saltbox style home, was built in 1754 by Samuel Dagget, using all hand-hewn lumber. This is a pic of the back of the home, along w/ it's impressive garden. I enjoyed seeing the Holly Hocks, it seems like you just don't see them much anymore.
This woman was cleaning up after making lunch in the Dagget farm, and would soon be heading out to the garden.
Check out that old Sawbuck table!

Just look at all that redware, and the old doughbox!
Herbs and squash strung on linen thread to dry



I really enjoyed visiting the Mattox family home!



Amos Mattox worked many jobs, he was a Farmer, barber, shoemaker and preacher! His wife Grace was a caring woman, and provided food for her needy neighbors.


Newspaper lined the walls to insulate against the cool Georgia nights in winter.



The bedroom of the Mattox home


Just look at all those canned goods!


A table on the back porch of the Mattox home is host to an array of goodies covered w/ old shoo-flies


Even an old dog house


Here is the old Firestone Homestead. Perhaps you have Firestone tires on your vehicle?
The 2 story brick farmhouse was bulit around 1828, and is currently a fully working farm.
Saurkraut in the barrels and a churn for making butter, located in the cellar.
Salt-cured meat, wrapped in cheescloth then hung from the beams in the cellar, this particular meat was from December 07.......can you imagine eating it after it hanging at room temp all these months?
Also, a beautiful old cupboard filled w/ homemade preserves.

Cows grazing on the farm.
A ram in the barn.
Little lambs all lined up an asleep in the barn. Aren't they so very precious?



And finally, the very sweet natured horse named Katie! It's always a treat to see her, as she is so friendly, and if you rub her head and nose in just the right place she will close her eyes and fall fast to sleep.
I think Miss Zoey found just that spot!
I hope you enjoyed the pictures, and if you ever get to Michigan, be sure to visit the village and the Museum, you won't be disappointed!

12 comments:

  1. I feel like I just went on a little trip, Patty, looking at all of your wonderful photos! I could move right into that house with the white picket fence....


    Nancy

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  2. And, Zoey and that horse deserve a comment all by itself! This would make the most awesome note cards, or even Christmas cards...she is such a littls doll!

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  3. Ahhhh, love the picture of Zoey and the horse named Katie! Looks like my Gilly, he loves to have his head rubbed too. Great pictures, would love to see the village.

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  4. Yep Zoey and the horse are great! I love that picture. It reminds me of my horse, he would love her. Thanks for sharing your pictures and story. Sounds like a place I would love to visit.

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  5. You are very lucky to live by such a wonderful museum. Thank you for all of the pictures and the history, too. Would love to visit.

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  6. That was wonderful...loved those pictures.
    Beth

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  7. Patty, thanks for sharing your trip with us - what a wonderful treasure to share with Zoey, who by the way is adorable!

    Janelle

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  8. Patty how wonderful! I enjoyed this so much! Loved seeing the antiques and animals!

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  9. I love this Patty! Wish I was closer. The old Mattox home used to be just down the road from where I live. How neat is that?!

    ~ Jamie

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  10. Wow!What amazing pics,Patty!You definitely make me want to go there!Everything is just picture perfect,and little Zoey with that horse-how precious!Thank you so much for taking the time to post these!
    Hugs:),
    ~Mandy

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  11. Absolutely wonderful....Zoey brought a tear to my eye! It made me remember a time in my own life so long ago...Thanks Patty it was just FANTASTIC! Pam

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  12. i meant to comment on this post when I first saw it, but I guess I'm losing my mind! :)

    These pics are just gorgeous - I loved taking the trip with you buddy ♥

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