RIDE THROUGH HISTORY

I always enjoy visiting Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford.  This living history museum in Dearborn, Michigan preserves a hundred year era from 1830 - 1930. During that period in time there were incredible advancements bringing the world technological marvels that occurred from the harnessing of electricity and improved mobility due to the emergence of automobile, airplane and locomotive transportation. This is highlighted at Greenfield Village where you can wander through the early workshops where Henry Ford started his car company, Thomas Edison experimented with electricity and Orville & Wilbur Wright designed the first airplane to successfully take flight.

While touring these buildings and other historical sites relocated here is interesting, my favorite aspect of a visit to Greenfield Village is the opportunity to ride in vehicles from this time period of American innovation. Authentic horse drawn carriages, locomotives, and antique automobiles are all available to be rode around Greenfield Village in. There is also a classic carousel you can take a spin on.



Don't miss out on taking a leisurely ride. Many of the chauffeurs make great tour guides providing lots of interesting insights about the landmarks you pass during your ride. It also provides a great perspective to take in the scenery of Greenfield Village. Plus riding through history is just plain old fun and provides a memorable experience that is better memento of your visit than any souvenir you could bring home with you.

Here are the rides that are available at Greenfield Village:

HORSE DRAWN OMNIBUS SHUTTLE

Omnibuses pulled by teams of horses were the first mass transit in America's cities dating back to the 1830s. Originally just nicely outfitted horse-drawn coaches, eventually omnibuses began to follow paths of set iron tracks that their wheels rolled along. This provided a smoother, more comfortable ride for passengers and an easier burden on the horses. As transportation became mechanized, omnibuses became replaced by trolleys and subways in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

TRAINS

Locomotives monopolized transit across America from the mid-1800s through late 1900s until commercial trucking and air travel became more economical alternatives.  Travel like they did during the glory years of locomotives on one of the steam or diesel powered locomotives that loop Greenfield Village. Travel a 3-mile loop that provides scenic views of the landscape and historic sites along its track. You can also get on and off at stops along its route making this a nice way to cut down on your walking while exploring Greenfield Village.

Plus who doesn't love riding a train! It delights children and has a wonderful way of brining out the inner kid in adults. I'm always geeked when taking a ride on a Greenfield Village train especially because these are the real deal not the miniature versions often seen at amusement parks and zoos.

ANTIQUE CARS

Ride in a vintage Model T manufactured by Ford Motor Company. A wonderful way to immerse yourself in the environment of this living history museum. Everyone has heard of the Model T, the vehicle that brought automobiles to the mass market and launched America's car culture. You can actually take a ride in one when visiting Greenfield Village! And when you hear these cars honk their horns while being driven around on one there is no way you won't get a big smile on your face.

There are a variety of Model T automobiles (1908 - 1927)  that people are driven around in. There are convertible and sedan versions of Model Ts to ride in, but our favorite to take a lap around Greenfield Village in is the Depot Hack which were the first utility vehicles.  These were primarily used to take passengers from boat docks and train stations to their hotels when visiting a city or provide deliveries around town. We are a little biased on this though because this dad blogger's own father owns one and loves to give family members and friends a ride in it.

If you are going to Greenfield Village, taking a Model T ride is a must do activity!

DEARBORN COACH COMPANY BUSES

These buses were built in 1931 by Ford Motor Company to promote public transit using their vehicles. The bus was built on Ford's Model AA truck platform -- basically the Model A car that had a stronger frame, suspension and wheels.  Powered by Ford's standard four-cylinder Model A car engine buses like those utilized by the Dearborn Coach Company that became really heavy when loaded with passengers weren't very fast. Speed wasn't that important for these vehicles though because they worked in stop-and-go city traffic so as long as they were able to get people around they were good to go.

A nice way to see the sites of Greenfield Village is through the windows of one of the Dearborn Coach Company buses (aka 1931 Ford Type 330B Tour Buses) that transport people around the place. These are some of the most modern vehicles providing rides to visitors within Greenfield Village but they still provide a vibe that you have been transported back in time when riding one. Sit back and enjoy the ride!

HEADS UP THESE RIDES COST EXTRA

So you aren't caught off guard when arriving at Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford, please note that there is an additional fee beyond your general admission price to ride these historic vehicles. You can purchase tickets for single rides or an all day pass for unlimited riding. If spending an entire day at Greenfield Village I recommend paying extra getting an unlimited ride pass but if just spending a few hours there single ride tickets would probably be your best bet. Also note these rides are often included at no extra charge on the free admission days that Greenfield Village occasionally has or may be provided as part of the fee for special after-hours events such as Holiday nights.  Keep this in mind when planning a trip to visit Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan.

For more information about Greenfield Village, directions to get there and ticket packages, go to thehenryford.org. 

FATHERS DAY GIFT FOR MY DAD

My dad is notoriously difficult to shop for when it comes to getting him a present.  This year though I found him just the right gift for Fathers Day courtesy of The Quarto Group.  He loves to tinker with his 1923 Ford Motor Company Model T Depot Hack and take his grandkids on adventures in this antique car. So I found a book at quartoknows.com that I'm sure he is going to enjoy!

FORD MODEL T COAST TO COAST: A SLOW DRIVE ACROSS A FAST COUNTRY written by Tom Cotter with photographs by Michael Alan Ross and a forward by Henry Ford III is sure to delight motorheads, history buffs, and traveling dads.  The book shares the cross country trek by Cotter and Ross as they drive one of America's most iconic cars from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean along the country's oldest transcontinental road.  In today's fast paced age, they take the slow lane providing an interesting perspective of America's past and present through a 3,000-mile journey in a 100-year-old car.



This 224 page book features 150 color pictures and 25 black & white photos of the Model T they are driving and other classic cars they encounter along their path as well as historic images of sites they visit and scenic places they pass.  They drive along many of the same roads that a young Edsel Ford traveled in his father's Model T on a similar journey after graduating high school in 1917.  Along the way, Cotter and Ross visit a number of automotive and transportation themed museums as well as "keepers of the flame" that include Model T clubs, mechanics, junkyards, and car collectors across the country.  Readers also experience the duets trials and tribulations of keeping an antique car running on an arduous trip.

Full of suggestions of places to visit on a cross country trek, automotive trivia, and historical facts this book is sure to captivate my dad's attention. Whether someone enjoys restoring old cars or exploring new places, this book is great to peruse. Join Cotter and Ross on their "slow drive across a fast country" as it is a fascinating adventure.

For more information or to purchase the book, head over to quartoknows.com  

Oh by the way, a Depot Hack essentially was the first station wagon. At the time they were built most long distance travel was done by train.  Depot Hacks were used in cities to carry passengers and their luggage from train depots to their final destination which was normally a hotel. Of course, now they are perfect for leisurely family drives around town and hanging out with at weekend car shows.