Famous Visitors to The Henry Ford
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The Henry Ford has long attracted well-known visitors. Photographer Rudy Ruzicska has worked at The Henry Ford for six decades and has had the chance to photograph many of these visitors during their time on campus. These images document just some of our celebrity guests who were photographed by Rudy or other institutional photographers over the years; the most recent photo included is a "selfie" of Rudy with TV and radio personality Mo Rocca.
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Imogene Coca and King Donovan Visiting Henry Ford Museum, February 18, 1959
Many famous individuals have visited Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum over the years. Actors, authors, and artists have passed through the entrance gates; business leaders, royalty, politicians, and a host of others have toured the exhibits. Photographs by the institution's photographer were taken if the celebrity allowed it. Actor King Donovan and comedienne Imogene Coca--husband and wife--pose during their visit in 1959.
View ArtifactShelley Winters near the Floral Clock in Greenfield Village, September 30, 1960
Many famous individuals have visited Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum over the years. Actors, authors, and artists have passed through the entrance gates; business leaders, royalty, politicians, and a host of others have toured the exhibits. Photographs by the institution's photographer were taken if the celebrity allowed it. Award-winning actress Shelley Winters posed for this picture during her visit in 1960.
View ArtifactSumitra Gandhi Visiting Henry Ford Museum, July 7, 1961
Many famous individuals have visited Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum. Actors, authors, and artists have passed through the entrance gates; business leaders, royalty, politicians, and a host of others have toured the exhibits. Photographs by the institution's photographer were taken if the celebrity allowed it. Sumitra Gandhi, granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, visited in 1961 and viewed the spinning wheel her grandfather gave Henry Ford.
View ArtifactMarcel and Alexina Duchamp Visiting Henry Ford Museum with Mr. and Mrs. Alain Chaillous, December 1, 1961
Many famous individuals have visited Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum over the years. Actors, authors, and artists have passed through the entrance gates; business leaders, royalty, politicians, and a host of others have toured the exhibits. Photographs by the institution's photographer were taken if the celebrity allowed it. In 1961, Marcel Duchamp, the unconventional artist-turned-chess player, came to the museum.
View ArtifactJoseph Cotten Visiting Henry Ford Museum, March 30, 1962
Many famous individuals have visited Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum. Actors, authors, and artists have passed through the entrance gates; business leaders, royalty, politicians, and a host of others have toured the exhibits. Photographs by the institution's photographer were taken if the celebrity allowed it. Stage, screen and radio actor Joseph Cotten posed for this picture during his visit in 1962.
View ArtifactMaurice Chevalier and Companions Touring Henry Ford Museum with Ken Metcalf, February 27, 1963
Many famous individuals have visited Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum over the years. Actors, authors, and artists have passed through the entrance gates; business leaders, royalty, politicians, and a host of others have toured the exhibits. Photographs by the institution's photographer were taken if the celebrity allowed it. Actor, singer and dancer Maurice Chevalier got a tour in 1963.
View ArtifactWilliam Bendix Visiting Henry Ford Museum, March 16, 1964
Many famous individuals have visited Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum. Actors, authors, and artists have passed through the entrance gates; business leaders, royalty, politicians, and a host of others have toured the exhibits. Photographs by the institution's photographer were taken if the celebrity allowed it. Actor William Bendix, best known for his role as the bumbling Chester Riley, stopped by in 1964.
View ArtifactMorey Amsterdam and Kay Amsterdam at the "Street of Shops" in Henry Ford Museum, July 22, 1964
Many famous individuals have visited Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum over the years. Actors, authors, and artists have passed through the entrance gates; business leaders, royalty, politicians, and a host of others have toured the exhibits. Photographs by the institution's photographer were taken if the celebrity allowed it. Comedian and songwriter Morey Amsterdam and his wife Kay stopped by in 1964.
View ArtifactDean Jones Visiting Henry Ford Museum, August 13, 1964
Many famous individuals have visited Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum. Actors, authors, and artists have passed through the entrance gates; business leaders, royalty, politicians, and a host of others have toured the exhibits. Photographs by the institution's photographer were taken if the celebrity allowed it. Actor Dean Jones, best known for his roles in Disney productions, got a tour in 1964.
View ArtifactEdgar Bergen at an Early Engine Club Meeting in Greenfield Village, August 20, 1966
Many famous individuals have visited Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum. Actors, authors, and artists have passed through the entrance gates; business leaders, royalty, politicians, and a host of others have toured the exhibits. Photographs by the institution's photographer were taken if the celebrity allowed it. Comedian and ventriloquist Edgar Bergen--without his friend Charlie McCarthy--enjoyed a day at Greenfield Village in 1966.
View ArtifactBert Lahr Signing Autographs during a Visit to Greenfield Village, August 22, 1966
Many famous individuals have visited Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum. Actors, authors, and artists have passed through the entrance gates; business leaders, royalty, politicians, and a host of others have toured the exhibits. Photographs by the institution's photographer were taken if the celebrity allowed it. Actor, comedian and former Cowardly Lion Bert Lahr was kind enough to give autographs when he came in 1966.
View ArtifactPhyllis Diller and Warde Donovan at Sarah Jordan Boardinghouse, Greenfield Village, April 2, 1968
Many famous individuals have visited Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum over the years. Actors, authors, and artists have passed through the entrance gates; business leaders, royalty, politicians, and a host of others have toured the exhibits. Photographs by the institution's photographer were taken if the celebrity allowed it. Comedienne Phyllis Diller and her then-husband Warde Donovan spent time visiting Greenfield Village in 1968.
View ArtifactGeorge Liberace and Eudora Liberace Visiting Henry Ford Museum's "Street of Shops," March 20, 1969
Many famous individuals have visited Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum. Actors, authors, and artists have passed through the entrance gates; business leaders, royalty, politicians, and a host of others have toured the exhibits. Photographs by the institution's photographer were taken if the celebrity allowed it. George Liberace, brother of pianist and showman Liberace and a musician in his own right, explored the museum's violin exhibits.
View ArtifactDick Purtan Speaking at the Sports Car Fashion Show, Henry Ford Museum, February 9, 1970
Many famous individuals have visited Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum. Actors, authors, and artists have passed through the entrance gates; business leaders, royalty, politicians, and a host of others have toured the exhibits. Photographs by the institution's photographer were taken if the celebrity allowed it. Radio personality Dick Purtan spoke at Museum's Sports Car Fashion Show in 1970.
View ArtifactMel Torme and Family during a Visit to Greenfield Village, August 1970
Many famous individuals have visited Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum. Actors, authors, and artists have passed through the entrance gates; business leaders, royalty, politicians, and a host of others have toured the exhibits. Photographs by the institution's photographer were taken if the celebrity allowed it. Jazz vocalist, songwriter, actor, and performer Mel Torme toured Greenfield Village with his family in 1970.
View ArtifactLiz Carpenter Visiting Henry Ford Museum, March 1971
Many famous individuals have visited Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum. Actors, authors, and artists have passed through the entrance gates; business leaders, royalty, politicians, and a host of others have toured the exhibits. Photographs by the institution's photographer were taken if the celebrity allowed it. Liz Carpenter, a journalist, feminist and political adviser, toured the museum in 1971.
View ArtifactHenry Fonda Viewing the Abraham Lincoln Chair, Then on Exhibit in Greenfield Village, May 4, 1971
Many famous individuals have visited Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum. Actors, authors, and artists have passed through the entrance gates; business leaders, royalty, politicians, and a host of others have toured the exhibits. Photographs by the institution's photographer were taken if the celebrity allowed it. Henry Fonda, star of the 1939 film Young Mr. Lincoln, visited the Logan County Courthouse at Greenfield Village in 1971.
View ArtifactImelda Marcos Visiting Henry Ford Museum, October 1971
Many famous individuals have visited Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum. Actors, authors, and artists have passed through the entrance gates; business leaders, royalty, politicians, and a host of others have toured the exhibits. Photographs by the institution's photographer were taken if the celebrity allowed it. In 1971, then-First Lady of the Philippines Imelda Marcos toured the museum.
View ArtifactLord Mountbatten with Group, Touring Henry Ford Museum, April 8, 1972
Lord Mountbatten was great-grandson of Queen Victoria, a British World War II hero and viceroy of India in 1947 during that country's partitioning and independence. In April 1972, he toured Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village, accompanied by Henry Ford II and Edison Institute's president, Donald Shelley. The tour included a visit through the museum's decorative arts galleries on a Cushman cart.
View ArtifactPhil Donahue with Ford Model T on "The Phil Donahue Show," Broadcast Live from Greenfield Village, April-May 1973
Television talk show host Phil Donahue recorded his program from the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village from April 30 to May 4, 1973. The shows were taped inside Greenfield Village's Town Hall and on the Village Green. But not all his time was spent interviewing his guests; here Donahue poses alongside a Model T.
View ArtifactGladys Knight and the Pips Performing on the Phil Donahue Show Broadcast from Greenfield Village, May 1973
Television talk show host Phil Donahue recorded his program from the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village from April 30 to May 4, 1973. The shows were taped inside Greenfield Village's Town Hall and on the Village Green. Among his guests during this week-long visit were Gladys Knight and the Pips.
View ArtifactBob Hope Visiting Henry Ford Museum, January 18, 1974
Many famous individuals have visited Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum. Actors, authors, and artists have passed through the entrance gates; business leaders, royalty, politicians, and a host of others have toured the exhibits. Photographs by the institution's photographer were taken if the celebrity allowed it. Comedian Bob Hope stopped by for a tour of the museum in 1974.
View ArtifactPeter Ustinov Viewing the "999" Ford Racer at Henry Ford Museum, March 19, 1974
Many famous individuals have visited Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum. Actors, authors, and artists have passed through the entrance gates; business leaders, royalty, politicians, and a host of others have toured the exhibits. Photographs by the institution's photographer were taken if the celebrity allowed it. Two-time Academy Award winner Peter Ustinov visited the museum in 1974.
View ArtifactNelson Rockefeller Visiting Henry Ford Museum, January 30, 1976
Many famous individuals have visited Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum. Actors, authors, and artists have passed through the entrance gates; business leaders, royalty, politicians, and a host of others have toured the exhibits. Photographs by the institution's photographer were taken if the celebrity allowed it. Republican U.S. Vice President Nelson Rockefeller got a tour from museum President Donald Shelley in 1976.
View ArtifactBuzz Aldrin with Museum Staff during a Visit to Henry Ford Museum, March 19, 1976
Many famous individuals have visited Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum. Actors, authors, and artists have passed through the entrance gates; business leaders, royalty, politicians, and a host of others have toured the exhibits. Photographs by the institution's photographer were taken if the celebrity allowed it. Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, visited the museum in 1976.
View ArtifactBurgess Meredith (center) While Filming in the Tintype Studio, Greenfield Village, 1976
Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village have been locations for numerous television films and programs over the years. In 1976, crews from WJW-TV in Cleveland, Ohio, filmed The Wandering Muse of Artemus Flagg in Greenfield Village. Acclaimed actor and Cleveland native Burgess Meredith starred in the television production.
View ArtifactJoan Rivers Visiting Plympton House in Greenfield Village, November 4, 1977
Many famous individuals have visited Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum. Actors, authors, and artists have passed through the entrance gates; business leaders, royalty, politicians, and a host of others have toured the exhibits. Photographs by the institution's photographer were taken if the celebrity allowed it. In 1977, comedian Joan Rivers got a taste of the living history programs at Greenfield Village.
View ArtifactMinnesota Fats Visiting Henry Ford Museum, November 8, 1977
Many famous individuals have visited Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum. Actors, authors, and artists have passed through the entrance gates; business leaders, royalty, politicians, and a host of others have toured the exhibits. Photographs by the institution's photographer were taken if the celebrity allowed it. The slick-talking pool hustler Minnesota Fats (Rudolf Wanderone) stopped by in 1977.
View ArtifactNeil Armstrong at the Wright Cycle Shop in Greenfield Village, August 16, 1979
Astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the Moon, rode a bicycle around Greenfield Village during a 1979 visit. Armstrong and his Apollo 11 crewmates took pieces of the 1903 Wright Flyer on their 1969 mission -- to emphasize the incredible progress made in the 66 years between the Wright brothers' first flight and the lunar landing.
View ArtifactJimmy Stewart Visiting Henry Ford Museum, October 20, 1979
Renowned screen actor Jimmy Stewart was also an avid pilot. His work and his hobby came together when Stewart starred as Charles Lindbergh in the 1957 film The Spirit of St. Louis. Three replicas of the title airplane were used in the movie, and Stewart purchased one of them. The actor donated his plane to Henry Ford Museum in 1959.
View ArtifactPaul Williams Visiting Henry Ford Museum, May 7, 1980
Many famous individuals have visited Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum. Actors, authors, and artists have passed through the entrance gates; business leaders, royalty, politicians, and a host of others have toured the exhibits. Photographs by the institution's photographer were taken if the celebrity allowed it. Singer, songwriter and composer Paul Williams visited the museum in 1980.
View ArtifactPat Paulsen Visiting the "Politics USA" Exhibit in Henry Ford Museum, June 13, 1980
Many famous individuals have visited Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum. Actors, authors, and artists have passed through the entrance gates; business leaders, royalty, politicians, and a host of others have toured the exhibits. Photographs by the institution's photographer were taken if the celebrity allowed it. Pat Paulsen, comedian, satirist and perennial presidential candidate, stopped by the "Politics USA" exhibit in 1980.
View ArtifactBobby Lee and Stacy Keach Visiting Henry Ford Museum, August 13, 1981
Many famous individuals have visited Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum. Actors, authors, and artists have passed through the entrance gates; business leaders, royalty, politicians, and a host of others have toured the exhibits. In 1981, Stacey Keach and Bobby Lee, stars in the national tour of the Broadway musical Barnum, pretended to shoot pool on Tom Thumb's billiard table then on exhibit in the museum.
View ArtifactBryant Gumbel and Douglas Fraser on the "Today" Show Broadcast from Henry Ford Museum, March 11, 1983
NBC's Today show broadcast from the floor of the Henry Ford Museum on March 11, 1983. The show's host, Bryant Gumbel, interviewed several U.S. auto executives as well as the president of the United Auto Workers, Douglas Fraser. The museum's Hall of Technology provided a perfect backdrop for the morning news show's theme.
View ArtifactPat Hingle in the Parlor of Ford Home in Greenfield Village, July 1983
In 1983, an orientation film "A Tradition of Change" was created for the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. The 17-minute production touched on the history of the Industrial Revolution in America and provided visitors with a preview of what they would experience. Veteran stage, screen and television actor Pat Hingle hosted and narrated the award-winning film.
View ArtifactJack Palance in Menlo Park Laboratory While Filming in Greenfield Village, 1984
Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village have been locations for numerous television films and programs over the years. In 1984, crews from the ABC television series Ripley's Believe It or Not! descended on Greenfield Village to film a segment on Henry Ford's association with Thomas Edison. The show was hosted by character actor Jack Palance.
View ArtifactGerald Ford at the Firestone Farm Dedication in Greenfield Village, June 29, 1985
In 1983, the Firestone family donated their circa 1828 Columbiana County, Ohio, farmstead to Greenfield Village. The farm had been the boyhood home of Harvey Firestone, who later became a tire and rubber magnate and friend of Henry Ford. On June 29, 1985, descendants of Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone along with former U.S. President Gerald Ford helped dedicate the newly installed farm.
View ArtifactJackie Stewart with the 1984 March 84C-Cosworth Racer during a Grand Prix Reception, Henry Ford Museum, 1985
Sir Jackie Stewart, a three-time Formula One world champion driver and a leading advocate for motorsport safety, visited Henry Ford Museum in 1985. Stewart was in town for that year's Detroit Grand Prix, held on June 23. Here he poses with the newly acquired March 84C-Cosworth race car that Tom Sneva drove in the 1984 Indianapolis 500.
View ArtifactRobert Mitchum during a Visit to Greenfield Village, June 26, 1986
Many famous individuals have visited Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum. Actors, authors, and artists have passed through the entrance gates; business leaders, royalty, politicians, and a host of others have toured the exhibits. Photographs by the institution's photographer were taken if the celebrity allowed it. Actor Robert Mitchum, noted for his starring roles in several film noir classics, visited in 1986.
View ArtifactYehudi Menuhin at Henry Ford Museum, Playing Violins in the Museum's Collection, April 7, 1988
Many famous individuals have visited Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum. Actors, authors, and artists have passed through the entrance gates; business leaders, royalty, politicians, and a host of others have toured the exhibits. Photographs by the institution's photographer were taken if the celebrity allowed it. Yehudi Menuhin, considered one of the greatest violinists of the 20th century, visited in 1988.
View ArtifactSoichiro Honda with the 1961 Honda Grand Prix Racing Motorcycle While Visiting The Henry Ford, October 9, 1989
The Henry Ford has hosted many famous individuals over the years. In 1989 Soichiro Honda, president of Honda Motor Company, took a tour of Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. The institution's RC 161 Honda motorcycle -- forerunner of today's modern racing and commercial motorcycles -- was a highlight of his visit. The motorcycle-and-automobile industrialist hopped on for an impromptu photo.
View ArtifactRosa Parks Visiting Mattox House in Greenfield Village, August 1992
Civil Rights pioneer Rosa Parks visited Greenfield Village with a group of students during a "Freedom Tour" sponsored by the Raymond and Rosa Parks Foundation. She posed here in front of the Mattox House, the 1930s Georgia home of an African-American family, during her visit. That day, many youngsters who recognized her from school lessons also rushed to greet her.
View ArtifactSam Donaldson during President George Bush's Visit to Henry Ford Museum, October 29, 1992
ABC News journalist Sam Donaldson playfully posed outside Henry Ford Museum with a bumper sticker reading, "Annoy the Media, Re-Elect Bush." Donaldson was at the museum to cover a campaign visit by President George Bush on October 29, 1992. Bush was defeated in his re-election bid by Bill Clinton.
View ArtifactPresident George Bush Boarding Marine One after Visiting Henry Ford Museum, October 29, 1992
President George Bush visited Henry Ford Museum during a campaign stop on October 29, 1992. Bush was running for a second term in office. Five days later, he was defeated in his re-election bid by Bill Clinton.
View ArtifactRepresentative John Dingell at the "Made in America" Exhibit in Henry Ford Museum, January 10, 1994
Many famous individuals have visited Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum; some have even come on official business. In 1994, the Manufacturing Task Force of the Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition held a hearing on technology transfer at the museum. John Dingell, U.S. Representative from Michigan and the task force's co-chair, tried the hands-on activity "Tower of Power."
View ArtifactRepresentative John Dingell and Attorney General Janet Reno in Henry Ford Museum, May 23, 1994
United States Representative John Dingell and Attorney General Janet Reno were photographed in Henry Ford Museum's The Automobile in American Life exhibit, with museum president Harold Skramstad, in May 1994. Reno and Dingell were at the museum to attend a conference for municipal leaders.
View ArtifactBob Dole Visiting Greenfield Village, July 18, 1996
Senator Bob Dole of Kansas, Republican candidate for President of the United States in 1996, visited Greenfield Village that summer. He came to participate in an "Innovations in Education" forum organized by Michigan Governor John Engler. Dole and running mate Jack Kemp lost their bid against incumbent President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore.
View ArtifactCarl Levin Speaking at Henry Ford Museum, October 2, 1996
Senator Carl Levin addressed the audience at a presentation by U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley in Henry Ford Museum on October 2, 1996. Born and raised in Detroit, Levin represented Michigan in the United States Senate from 1979 to 2015, making him the longest-serving senator in the state's history.
View ArtifactRepresentative John Dingell Speaking at Henry Ford Museum, October 2, 1996
Representative John Dingell addressed the audience at a presentation by U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley in Henry Ford Museum on October 2, 1996. Dingell served Michigan's 15th, 16th, and 12th districts in the United States House of Representatives from 1955 to 2015, making him not only Michigan's longest-serving representative, but the longest-serving member of Congress in U.S. history.
View ArtifactRichard Riley Speaking at Henry Ford Museum, October 2, 1996
United States Secretary of Education Richard Riley addressed an audience at Henry Ford Museum on October 2, 1996. Riley, a former governor of South Carolina, was appointed Secretary of Education by President Bill Clinton in 1993 and served until 2001. He was widely praised for his work in Clinton's Cabinet.
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