Angelica Haggert
It ’ s impossible to think about the history of the area without the history of the automobile coming into the timeline . With the Big Three around , Windsor is synonymous with the assembly line and the development of the car .
Just a quick trip across the border took our explorations to The Henry Ford Museum , in Dearborn Michigan , where some of The Hub family spent a few hours exploring the vehicle and its history , along with other historical exhibits .
The museum opened to the public in 1933 and began as Henry Ford ’ s personal collection of artifacts . Today it covers 12 acres of indoor and outdoor exhibits , including the working farms of Greenfield Village . Notable exhibits include the bus Rosa Parks refused to move seats on ; the 1961 Lincoln Continental that John F . Kennedy was assassinated in , George Washington ’ s camp bed ; and an Oscar Mayer Weinermobile .
The collections of everyday objects , like chairs and books , prove to be a unique representation of the history of the American people . With Windsor so close to the border , these items serve as a good example of our history as well .
Surprisingly , not all the cars in the Henry Ford Museum are Fords . Ford ( the man ) did not invent the automobile OR the assembly line . Instead , Ford brought the affordability of the automobile into reach for the average American . The Model T car - the first vehicle to find its home with many Americans - was introduced in 1908 , and by the 1920s , most Americans had learned to drive on this automobile .
For $ 19 American dollars ( saving $ 2 by purchasing our tickets online ), we got unlimited access to the indoor museum . I spent most of my time reading all the display information for the history of the car ( there were race cars , don ’ t blame me !), but some of the other Hubsters I took along were really into the tractor exhibit or the
furniture area . There was truly something for everyone .
We rounded off the morning with a yummy lunch at the Michigan Cafe , one of several dining options on thesite . The Michigan is located in a side corridor , and offers a peaceful dining room with themed photographs and artwork as well as an outdoor view . The other two options availableinsidethe Henry Ford looked interesting too - Lamy ’ s Diner and the American Dog House . And of course , it wouldn ’ t be a destination without a souvenir shop . Our group poked around in both the Henry Ford Museum Store and Genius At Play . Like all museum stores , in addition to traditional souvenirs , it ’ s a great place to find quirky games and books .
Take a trip across the border and visit The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village . Take a few hours , spend the day , or visit multiple times ! You won ’ t be sorry .
Where are you exploring this spring ? Tell us about it ! Use the tag # ExploringMatters on Facebook and Twitter to let us know !
8 The HUB -May 2016