Greenfield Village Restoration: 20 Years Later

This summer marks the 20th anniversary of Greenfield Village’s monumental renovation of 2003. The Village reopened back then after a nine-month construction project that revitalized the entire village. Hear from staff who were all part of this historic renovation, and learn what it truly took to make the village the beloved institution it is today.

[@markfortin421]

Living in the vicinity, and being able to visit whenever we wanted, as a child it was such a special place. I raised my 3 children and showed them the respect for such a place. Then came the restoration. Thinking about what they had to do, and why, brought it all into focus. The original design was never meant to last 100 years, yet here we were with immense crowds of people year in and year out, and all the infrastructure couldn't handle it. The choices made were very well planned, and the cost must have been astronomical. I still frequent the grounds as many times as possible, and have become very comfortable now with the changes made. Thank You for this video, so we all understand the background of what was done. Mark

[@northcoastnoise]

On my first visit to Greenfield Village after the restoration I thought they'd ruined the place by paving the roads. 'Updating' the place made so little sense and was so uspetting to me I vowed never to go back, preferring to remember it the way it used to be. Fortunately I soon realized I was wrong for the reasons explained in this video and have since enjoyed the place more than ever.

[@phantombrakeman4983]

The old shots of the village brought back memories of going there in 1970, a 6th grade school trip. Went back there in the late 80's and wondered why I was trudging along on dirt roads and looking at what looked like a dull place. Fast forward to 2014, we brought our two grade school kids to see it and I was completely blown away. Did not know that there had been a rebuild to the Village. Since then, we make at least two trips a year to the Village with our membership passes. It's now set up like a small town with paved streets and lighting and so many interesting things to see and people to talk to. Having been to the old and the renew, I'll take the renew any day. Too bad about the river boat though.

[@missylou82]

I remember the dirt roads, when I visited Greenfield Village in 1980’s and 1990’s.

[@connordonovon4396]

It would’ve been interesting to see the village how it was back then

[@user-wy7zh6xg7b]

Awesome content I plan to visit greenfield one day.

[@12345678989814]

I would have loved to get the same Greenfield before the updates that I have been there since and it is a wonderful place I love going there and quite honestly one day is nowhere near enough to see everything that is there

[@12345678989814]

Side note I can remember raping in the model t times magazine about when they started the project of making the cars that they were going to use their in Greenfield and updating motors and making new engines for them never dreamed I would have got to go and actually ride in one of the cars all those years back but I did awesome place

[@RageCityBiscuit]

😳

[@seriouslyyoujest1771]

Do you want dirt roads, walk out to Firestone’s Farm past the cornfields.

[@connordonovon4396]

Can’t we get dirt roads back so we can have the actual viewing of what where is like to ride in a model T on dirt road it has to be authentic

[@davesutter2490]

Can still do that. Plenty of dirt roads still there.

[@71sixpak]

You all ruined a dream of Henry Ford for your all mighty dollar. The village was build as a reminder of what America was. There were no flat concrete roads and sidewalks. They were dirt or brick at best. As a young kid visiting there, it gave me a vision of what life was in the 1800's to early 1900's. The young kids will never know that feeling now. You all modernized a historic village, all for money making night events or smooth car rides. I ride in a model T was harsh at best. What a shame it's all ruined ! I will NEVER go back !

[@EdisonRailfanner]

Just because it's not the same as it used to be, doesn't mean that it's a terrible place. You still get that feeling of the old days, when you walk into one of the buildings, or ride the train, etc. Even though it's changed, it doesn't mean it's a bad place.