What’s food without family? 🙂 As you may remember, last summer I decided to stop focusing on food content exclusively, and to expand my coverage with family-friendly local destinations. As I wrote last year, “Sharing recipes and covering food-related events has always been at the forefront of my editorial endeavors – but is there more to it?” Subsequently, I started writing about experiences that approach food from a holistic perspective, intertwined with family and community.Â
This post is the latest addition to the series, and it covers our recent visit to Dearborn Michigan for RTX Invention Convention U.S. Nationals. Held at The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, this event is the culmination of a series of state-based competitions, and this year it brought together to Michigan 513 young inventors from 35 U.S. states.
Have you ever visited The Henry Ford? Featuring several unique venues – Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Greenfield Village, Ford Rouge Factory Tour, Benson Ford Research Center and Henry Ford Academy, a public charter high school – this impressive, one-of-a-kind institution spread over 250 acres hosts 26 million artifacts, with more than 100,000 digitized for online access. As stated on the The Henry Ford website, this is a globally recognized cultural icon that provides unique educational experiences:
“Imagine if a museum could not only preserve history but also inspire everyone to improve the future. At The Henry Ford, we’re more than a museum — we’re a force for change, and we empower every individual to make a difference through innovation, ingenuity and resourcefulness. As the stewards of one of the nation’s largest museum collections, we enrich millions of lives through the unique learning experiences we offer in places like Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and in programs like Invention Convention Worldwide. The Henry Ford offers perspective and inspiration so that anyone can create a better future and truly make history.”
I spent 3 days on-site, and I feel that I have barely scratched the surface! From exciting narratives covering the beginning of the U.S. railway network…
…to a glimpse into Henry Ford’s revolutionary invention work…
…from American pioneering artifacts for household use…
…to U.S. Presidents’ cars speaking the language of political history…
…and from stunning displays of mathematical rigor…
…to thought-provoking archive copies of popular magazines…
…the breadth and scope are truly unmatched!
I thoroughly enjoyed checking out a variety of exhibits, some of my favorites being the Christmas tree decoration section…
…the antique furniture, and the clock sections. I also loved learning about U.S. Presidents and their cars, and seeing American brands of food and hospitality being memorialized for future generations.
The McDonald’s vintage signage was illuminating…
…and checking out The Wienermobile was a lot of fun!
The last day of my visit I decided to take the train through Greenfield Village. It was a good on-the-spot decision: the weather was perfect for my little excursion…
…and I learned a lot about Greenfield Village and its 7 historic districts at a light but steady pace.
A truly unforgettable experience!
I highly recommend The Henry Ford as a bustling and exciting vacation destination. There is so much to see and to explore! Check it out at your own pace – be it leisurely or fast, this spellbinding experience of American ingenuity and innovation is sure to make a lasting impression.
Last but not least, for a small-scale family-friendly local spot that puts nature at the forefront, I recommend Ford Field Park.
We visited this location on day 2 of our visit to Dearborn, and we found it very restorative and rejuvenating.
Wishing you all an amazing summer! Happy sightseeing 🙂
Leave a Reply