The Ford Barn

Neil Mylar LakewoodCA · 01-20-2015, 11:54 AM

My family's only visit to Dearborn and the Henry Ford Museum was on Halloween day, in October 1983. My children were very young and I figured it might be a challenge to keep them entertained, but they actually had a wonderful time. All children were given a trick-or-treat bag and at each building we visited, they were given a treat. At Edison's shop, they were given a small plastic light bulb. They received a small plastic bi-plane at the Wright Brothers shop, etc, etc.

Does anyone know if they still do that, on Halloween?

What has changed at Dearborn and the Henry Ford Museum since 1983?

Thanks, Neil

CarlG · 01-20-2015, 12:23 PM

All the stuff is now 32 years older than it was then.

MAG · 01-20-2015, 12:37 PM

We were at the museum in June 2011. I saw no one maning the shops or booths. However, we had no children with us.

mshmodela · 01-20-2015, 01:23 PM

I went there twice, 74' and 94' enjoyed both times very much.

Chris Haynes · 01-20-2015, 01:48 PM

I have been there twice in this century. For Ford's 100 year anniversary the Henry Ford was rebuilt with many new displays. You should allow two days the completely explore The Henry Ford and Greenfield Village.

tmiller6 · 01-20-2015, 02:10 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Seriously? Since 1983, you've missed the Firestone Farm, the new train station, the relocated carousel and neighboring play area. The Henry Ford Academy now teaches classes in the Village and the Museum. The streets and sidewalks have been repaved, and there is now a craft village adjacent to the Firestone Farm. The railway has a new roundhouse, turntable, coal lift, and water tower. There are several new steam engines. There is now a Model T loading dock which gives visitors rides in 6-8 different Model Ts on any given day.

Yes, there is still a Halloween celebration at night as well as a Holiday nights. There are also numerous weekends in the summer where they stay open late on Saturday.

Next to the Village is the newly dedicated Amtrak which has an elevator and Village entrance.

Many things in the Museum have been added starting with the Dymaxion house....

My personal observations; I do not represent the Henry Ford.

Joe K · 01-20-2015, 06:53 PM

Our family went there in 2010.

One thing I noticed different from the pictures I'd seen was the roadways had all been "paved" and the edges had curbs.

I mentioned it to the docents and they indicated it was a "liability" thing.

"Our clientele is tending to be older and a lot of them were having trouble getting around the village with their canes, walkers, and wheelchairs - hence the thought that paved roadways would help improve their access."

Methinks we're seeing the ADA (American Disabilities Act) here. Soon to come an elevator to the second floor of Edison's Laboratory?

Newall post of stairs to the right.

Joe K

01-20-2015, 11:54 AM	#1
Neil Mylar LakewoodCA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakewood, CA Posts: 1,457	Dearborn & Henry Ford Museum - What's changed since 1983? My family's only visit to Dearborn and the Henry Ford Museum was on Halloween day, in October 1983. My children were very young and I figured it might be a challenge to keep them entertained, but they actually had a wonderful time. All children were given a trick-or-treat bag and at each building we visited, they were given a treat. At Edison's shop, they were given a small plastic light bulb. They received a small plastic bi-plane at the Wright Brothers shop, etc, etc. Does anyone know if they still do that, on Halloween? What has changed at Dearborn and the Henry Ford Museum since 1983? Thanks, Neil

01-20-2015, 12:23 PM	#2
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,192	Re: Dearborn & Henry Ford Museum - What's changed since 1983? All the stuff is now 32 years older than it was then. __________________ Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club

01-20-2015, 12:37 PM	#3
MAG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 926	Re: Dearborn & Henry Ford Museum - What's changed since 1983? We were at the museum in June 2011. I saw no one maning the shops or booths. However, we had no children with us. __________________ I noticed the harder I work the luckier I get!

01-20-2015, 01:23 PM	#4
mshmodela Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 2,765	Re: Dearborn & Henry Ford Museum - What's changed since 1983? I went there twice, 74' and 94' enjoyed both times very much. __________________ -Mike Late 31' Ford Model A Tudor, Miss Daisy I don't work on cars --I'm learning about my Model A. Cleveland, Ohio Last edited by mshmodela; 01-20-2015 at 08:31 PM.

01-20-2015, 01:48 PM	#5
Chris Haynes Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camarillo, CA and Pine Grove, CA Posts: 2,962	Re: Dearborn & Henry Ford Museum - What's changed since 1983? I have been there twice in this century. For Ford's 100 year anniversary the Henry Ford was rebuilt with many new displays. You should allow two days the completely explore The Henry Ford and Greenfield Village. __________________ 1921 Runabout 1930 Tudor Early 1930 AA Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go?

01-20-2015, 02:10 PM	#6
tmiller6 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Livonia, MI Posts: 201	Re: Dearborn & Henry Ford Museum - What's changed since 1983? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Seriously? Since 1983, you've missed the Firestone Farm, the new train station, the relocated carousel and neighboring play area. The Henry Ford Academy now teaches classes in the Village and the Museum. The streets and sidewalks have been repaved, and there is now a craft village adjacent to the Firestone Farm. The railway has a new roundhouse, turntable, coal lift, and water tower. There are several new steam engines. There is now a Model T loading dock which gives visitors rides in 6-8 different Model Ts on any given day. Yes, there is still a Halloween celebration at night as well as a Holiday nights. There are also numerous weekends in the summer where they stay open late on Saturday. Next to the Village is the newly dedicated Amtrak which has an elevator and Village entrance. Many things in the Museum have been added starting with the Dymaxion house.... My personal observations; I do not represent the Henry Ford.

01-20-2015, 06:53 PM	#7
Joe K Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,602	Re: Dearborn & Henry Ford Museum - What's changed since 1983? Our family went there in 2010. One thing I noticed different from the pictures I'd seen was the roadways had all been "paved" and the edges had curbs. I mentioned it to the docents and they indicated it was a "liability" thing. "Our clientele is tending to be older and a lot of them were having trouble getting around the village with their canes, walkers, and wheelchairs - hence the thought that paved roadways would help improve their access." Methinks we're seeing the ADA (American Disabilities Act) here. Soon to come an elevator to the second floor of Edison's Laboratory? Newall post of stairs to the right. Joe K __________________ Shudda kept the horse. Last edited by Joe K; 01-20-2015 at 07:02 PM.