Restoring Greenfield Village 2003
21 artifacts in this set
This expert set is brought to you by:
The staff at The Henry Ford
Josephine F. Ford Plaza, Greenfield Village Restoration Project, May 2003
Digital photograph
One of the more extensive makeovers was the redesign of the village entry. Before the restoration, visitors to Greenfield Village entered through the Village Entrance Building. Now, the Josephine F. Ford Plaza -- an expansive paved plaza with a fountain as its impressive centerpiece -- welcomes visitors into Greenfield Village. The entrance is named for the Detroit philanthropist and only granddaughter of Henry and Clara Ford.
Richart Wagon Shop and Soybean Lab after Relocation, Greenfield Village Restoration Project, November 2002
Digital photograph
The Richart Wagon Shop and the Soybean Lab were among ten historic structures relocated during the restoration. Today, these buildings frame a portal into Greenfield Village, offering a visual cue that you are entering an open-air museum rich with stories of America’s past.
Richart Wagon Shop before Relocation during the Greenfield Village Restoration Project, June 2002
Digital photograph
Prior to this, the Richart Wagon Shop stood across from the Detroit, Toledo, & Milwaukee Railroad Roundhouse.
Workers Laying Conduit in Greenfield Village during Greenfield Village Restoration Project, 2003
Photographic print
The most dramatic part of Greenfield Village's makeover lies below ground. Workers removed entire roadways -- and every water main, sewer pipe, electric line, and natural gas line beneath them. They then replaced and upgraded thirty-five miles of underground systems and paved eleven miles of streets throughout Greenfield Village.
Ford Motor Company (Mack Avenue Plant) during the Greenfield Village Restoration Project, May 2003
Digital photograph
Planners laid out seven thematic "Historic Districts," relocating and refurbishing historic structures where needed. The Henry Ford's Model T district included Henry Ford's birthplace, his one-room school, the storage shed where Ford created his first automobile, and a one-fourth replica of the first Ford Motor Company factory.
Model T Rides in Greenfield Village, 2003
Photographic print
Visitors now climbed into the expanded fleet of Ford Model Ts at the Loading Dock that debuted as part of the 2003 transformation, located at the rear of the Ford Motor Company building.
Dr. Howard's Office before Relocation during the Greenfield Village Restoration Project, September 2002
Digital photograph
Where was the Model T Ride located previously? Visitors purchased tickets at the Carousel building and then waited around the corner to climb into the small number of Model Ts then available. (The sign for the Model T ride appears at right.) At that time, Dr. Howard’s Office stood across the street.
Dr. Howard's Office Being Relocated during the Greenfield Village Restoration Project, September 2002
Digital photograph
The Main Street district became the heart of Greenfield Village, gathering additional community-related buildings in closer proximity. This photograph shows Dr. Howard's Office making its way across the Village Green to its new location next to the Logan County Courthouse.
Tintype Studio, Phoenixville Post Office and the Hearse Shed before Relocation during the Greenfield Village Restoration Project, September 2002
Digital photograph
Workers shifted the Greenfield Village Tintype Studio, the Phoenixville Post Office, and the Hearse Shed, placing them with other structures in the Main Street district.
Tintype Studio Being Relocated during the Greenfield Village Restoration Project, October-November 2002
Digital photograph
The Greenfield Village Tintype Studio was relocated not far from the Wright Family Home and the Heinz House. And the Hearse Shed found a place next to the Wright Cycle Shop.
Phoenixville Post Office
Post office
The Phoenixville Post Office moved to its new site near the Town Hall.
Lodge at Christie & Main Construction, Greenfield Village Restoration Project, May 2003
Digital image
While some historic buildings were moved to the Main Street district, a new one was also constructed. The Village Pavilion (now known as the Lodge) was modeled after a western fort that provided shelter for travelers on the Overland Trail. It offered space for public programs and private catered events.
Interior of William Holmes McGuffey Birthplace in Greenfield Village, June 2003
Photographic print
In the Porches and Parlor district, the William Holmes McGuffey Birthplace received a fresh restoration of its log structure. Curators refurnished the building to more closely reflect the life of the McGuffeys' Scots-Irish community on the frontier of Western Pennsylvania.
Mill Pond Site during the Greenfield Village Restoration Project, September 2002
Digital photograph
The Liberty Craftworks district also received a striking makeover. As shown here, most of the crafts and trades buildings were already located in what became the new district, but a few more were added.
Gunsolly Carding Mill and Thomas Edison Statue before Relocation during the Greenfield Village Restoration Project, September 2002
Digital photograph
The Gunsolly Carding Mill, the dark red building, is shown here at the corner of Washington Boulevard and State Street in Greenfield Village before it was relocated to the Liberty Craftworks district. Workers also moved the Thomas Edison statue at this intersection (shown to the right of the building). Now it more appropriately resides near Edison's Menlo Park Laboratory complex in the Edison at Work district.
Loranger Gristmill before Relocation during the Greenfield Village Restoration Project, September 2002
Digital photograph
The Loranger Gristmill moved to the Liberty Craftworks district from its previous location near the William Ford Barn. Here, the gristmill was powered by a steam engine visible through the large windows in the rear addition. Henry Ford loved steam engines, having operated them as a young man in Detroit, so he installed one.
Loranger Gristmill in Liberty Craftworks District, Greenfield Village Restoration Project, April 2003
Digital photograph
Relocated in Liberty Craftworks, the Loranger Gristmill looks much as it did in the 1800s when farmers had their grain ground into flour here -- located on a creek and fitted with a waterwheel to power its machinery.
Liberty Craftworks District, Greenfield Village Restoration Project, May 2003
Digital photograph
Workers also transformed the landscape of the Liberty Craftworks district, creating a central mill pond and a creek.
Workers Repaving Maple Lane in Greenfield Village, April 2003
Photographic print
Workers paved eleven miles of new roads and sidewalks in Greenfield Village in the months before its reopening, including this portion of Maple Lane near Cotswold Cottage. Daggett Farmhouse, Farris Windmill, and Plympton Family Home are shown in the distance.
Historical Presenters outside Eagle Tavern, Greenfield Village, 2004
Negative (Photograph)
Other infrastructure work was visible above ground. Hundreds of new lampposts with distinctive designs to fit the look and feel of each district appeared throughout Greenfield Village. This village-wide lighting system made it easier to hold evening events at any time of the year.
Contractors at the Re-Opening of Greenfield Village, 2003
Photographic print
In June 2003, visitors entered the reborn Greenfield Village. During the previous nine months, workers replaced 35 miles of underground systems, built 11 miles of new roads and sidewalks, added 350 lampposts, constructed three new buildings, and relocated ten historic buildings. It was the largest and most comprehensive physical rehabilitation in the village's history.