Members First:
Engaging Experts
From the past to the present, our program, Members First: Engaging Experts, opens the doors to behind the scenes at The Henry Ford, featuring deep dives into stories highlighting innovation, historical archives, artisanal wonders and so much more. Members will have an exclusive invitation to our interactive live program with the opportunity to ask questions at the end.
Members, check your email for exclusive invitations to these programs.
Upcoming Sessions
Check back soon for more information on upcoming Member First: Engaging Experts program sessions.
Previous Sessions
Recorded on September 18, 2023
Lillian Schwartz: Art from Technology Uncover the impactful work of Lillian Schwartz with the curator of our exhibition Lillian Schwartz: Whirlwind of Creativity, Kristen Gallerneaux. Lillian was a groundbreaking filmmaker and digital multimedia artist who began working at the intersections of creativity, science, and technology in the 1960s. Learn about her time as a “resident visitor” at Bell Laboratories, where she was inspired by the possibilities of computers, and also found ways to push beyond their limitations. |
Recorded on August 24, 2023
The Studio: Behind the Design Discover the intricate details of The Henry Ford’s period clothing studio in this virtual program. With Anne Devlin, senior manager of The Studio Office Operations & Training, learn the process behind the designs and concepts that lead to the creation of our beloved seasonal costumes, like the dancing skeletons seen at Hallowe’en and the Holiday Nights mummers. |
Recorded on June 26, 2023
Building a Living History of American Glassmaking With Charles Sable, curator of decorative arts at The Henry Ford, we will trace the history of American glassmaking from the 18th century through the present in Greenfield Village’s Davidson-Gerson Gallery of Glass. All ages will enjoy this immersive gallery experience through our virtual Engaging Experts program. |
Recorded on June 6, 2023
Greenfield Village Ballet: A Historic Renovation From archival photographs to a featured video of the restoration, this behind-the-scenes program digs up details of the 2003 renovation of Greenfield Village. Join Director of Facilities Management Alec Jerome, Construction and Facilities Manager Joe Wolford, Chief Conservator Mary Fahey and Executive Producer & Head of Studio Productions Brian James Egen, who were all part of this historic renovation 20 years ago. |
Recorded on May 11, 2023
The Julia Child Connection: Histories Hidden in Her Kitchen Zoom in and out with curators Kristen Gallerneaux and Katherine White as they use archival photographs of Julia Child’s kitchen as a jumping-off point to explore the histories hinted at within them, from kitchen design to media representations of food culture. |
Recorded on February 8, 2023
The Detectives of The Henry Ford Don your detective hat as you join curatorial assistant Rachel Yerke, Curator of Decorative Arts Charles Sable and Curator of Transportation Matt Anderson in a journey with three fascinating stories: a new mystery to solve, a mystery revealed and a special once-in-100-years discovery. |
Recorded on October 24, 2022
The Weaving Shop: A Behind-the-Scenes Special This Engaging Experts program will touch on the Weaving Shop’s deeply rooted history in Greenfield Village. Together with shop lead Mendy Grenz, we will uncover details of working looms; learn about the sock knitter, which makes its seasonal debut during Holiday Nights; as well as uncover the behind-the-scenes process to make our limited-edition holiday scarves and hand towels. |
Recorded on September 6, 2022
The Fords’ Vision for Lincoln Motor Company This program focuses on Ford Motor Company’s purchase of Lincoln Motor Company in 1922 and hones in on Edsel Ford’s simple but highly personal vision for the luxury automaker: to make “the best car in the world.” With Matt Anderson, curator of transportation at The Henry Ford, we’ll explore materials in our archival collection looking at Lincoln Motor Company’s first decades. |
Recorded on: August 9, 2022
The Wright Brothers in the Bicycle Business In anticipation of our Twilight Bike Ride event, this program focuses on the ingenuity of the Wright brothers and how their bicycle business enabled them to pursue their flight passions and experiments. With Matt Anderson, curator of transportation at The Henry Ford, we hear stories of the Wright brothers, learn about the 1890s bicycle boom, see how the bicycle influenced the airplane and discover details of where bicycle tech was used on the 1903 Wright Flyer, a replica of which is on display in Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. |
Recorded on: July 14, 2022
Businesswomen at Detroit Central Market In honor of Detroit Central Market joining Greenfield Village as our first permanent addition to the village since 2000, this program focuses on female hucksters and market gardeners who made an impression. Led by Deb Reid, curator of agriculture and the environment at The Henry Ford, we learn about causes of food fights like the Cucumber War of 1861, strategies that bound market families together, conflicts that pulled them apart and philanthropy that extended their reach. |
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