Museums & art / Dearborn
Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation
American ingenuity on a grand scale: cars, locomotives, aviation, and objects that tell stories of social change.
01 / The story of this place
Make time for these
Dearborn’s Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation goes well beyond automobiles. Transportation, industry, and everyday life meet here, with Rosa Parks’ bus and the presidential limousine associated with John F. Kennedy among its powerful objects. Exhibitions connect technological change to American society. The museum belongs to The Henry Ford cultural campus; neighboring Greenfield Village is a separate experience rather than another gallery inside the museum.
- Rosa Parks’ bus
- Presidential vehicles and transportation history
- American innovation and everyday objects
Famous Detroiters
Famous people tied to this place 5
Lexicon entries for the people who lived, worked, performed or liked to spend time here.
- Thomas Edison 1847–1931 · inventor, businessman
Memorial
Greenfield Village holds the reconstructed Menlo Park laboratory complex, dedicated with Edison present on October 21, 1929; the museum also keeps the test tube said to hold his last breath.
- Henry Ford 1863–1947 · automaker, industrialist, founder of Ford Motor Company
Founded
The history museum and open-air village he founded; it holds his Quadricycle and a replica of the Bagley Avenue workshop.
- Rosa Parks 1913–2005 · civil rights activist
Memorial
The museum displays the restored Montgomery city bus on which she was arrested in 1955.
- William Henry Jackson 1843–1942 · photographer, painter, explorer
Related place
The museum for which Edsel Ford bought Jackson's Detroit Publishing negatives in 1936; part of the collection later went to the Library of Congress.
- William Potts 1883–1947 · police officer, inventor
Memorial
The first tri-color, four-way traffic signal from 1920 is preserved in the museum's collection.
Photos were taken at different times; images are resized and cropped on cards.
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¼ · Stay
Sleep right around the corner
Comfort Inn Near Greenfield Village8 min walk · Dearborn · Michigan Avenue near Greenfield Village
Dearborn Inn, Autograph Collection16 min walk · Dearborn · Oakwood Boulevard, near The Henry FordBook direct ↗- Hampton Inn by Hilton Detroit Dearborn22 min walk · West Dearborn · Michigan AvenueBook direct ↗
¼ · Free museum days
Free days here
- November11WednesdayVeterans Day, November 11, 2026Active military, veterans and their families, up to six guests; free tour at 1 p.m.
- December5SaturdayFirst full weekend of every monthOne general admission per Bank of America, Merrill or Private Bank card, with photo ID
- December6SundayFirst full weekend of every monthOne general admission per Bank of America, Merrill or Private Bank card, with photo ID
- January2SaturdayFirst full weekend of every monthOne general admission per Bank of America, Merrill or Private Bank card, with photo ID
Sources & fact check · Checked: 2026-09-24
An independently written bilingual guide. This collection is not an attendance-based ranking.
Historical background: Wikipedia and its contributors; article licenses and revision histories are available on the source pages.
03 / Events
Events at this place
Published events automatically linked from our event guide. Times are local to the venue.
Jan 1, 2026, 9:30 AMDetroit: The City of Hot Rods & Muscle Cars
The Henry Ford presents the film Detroit: The City of Hot Rods & Muscle Cars daily at the Giant Screen Experience in the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn, from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2027. Showings start at 9:30 a.m.
Jan 1, 2026, 9:30 AMBlue Whales: Return of the Giants
The Henry Ford runs Blue Whales: Return of the Giants daily at the Giant Screen Experience at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn from Thursday, January 1, 2026, through Thursday, December 31, 2026. Giant-screen immersion into blue whales, with select 3D showtimes and closed captioning available on request.
Feb 7, 2026, 9:30 AMFor Generations Yet Unborn
The Henry Ford's temporary collections spotlight runs from Saturday, February 7, 2026, through December 31, 2027, at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn, daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mrs. Jackson's Selma memoir takes center stage.
Mar 21, 2026, 9:30 AMHandmade: The Crafting of America
The Henry Ford’s exhibition Handmade: The Crafting of America runs Saturday, March 21, 2026, through Monday, January 18, 2027, at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn. It traces American craft from practical roots to bold contemporary work. Free for members; included with museum admission.
Sep 2, 2026, 10:00 AMT. REX
The Henry Ford runs daily screenings of the T. REX documentary from Wednesday, September 2 through Thursday, December 31 at the Giant Screen Experience in Dearborn. Built with top tyrannosaur scientists and VFX artists, with select 3D showtimes and closed captioning available on request.
Oct 9, 2026, 9:30 AMCelebrate Indigenous History
The Henry Ford runs special programs honoring Indigenous history, cultures, traditions, and contributions from Friday, October 9, through Monday, November 30, 2026, at Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and Greenfield Village in Dearborn. Free for members; otherwise with admission. Programs run 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Oct 18, 2026, 9:30 AMArtemis Adventure with LEGO Bricks
The Henry Ford’s Artemis Adventure with LEGO Bricks runs from Sunday, October 18, 2026, to Sunday, January 3, 2027, at The Gallery by General Motors inside the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn. Giant LEGO sculptures and hands-on engineering stations bring NASA’s Artemis missions to life. Free for members or with museum admission.
Nov 11, 2026, 9:30 AMVeterans Day at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation
The Henry Ford marks Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11, at 9:30 a.m. at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn, honoring service members past and present. Free admission for active-duty military, veterans, and their families.
Nov 11, 2026, 11:00 AMAmerica the Beautiful: Our Natural Wonders
America the Beautiful, a giant-screen nature film, premieres Wednesday, November 11, at 11 a.m. and runs through November 25 at the Giant Screen Experience in the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn. To mark America's 250th, tickets are just $2.50.
Nov 14, 2026, 11:00 AMHunger Games Marathon
The Henry Ford is running a Hunger Games marathon on Saturday, November 14, starting at 11 a.m. in the Giant Screen Experience Theater at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn. All four films play on the giant screen, and if you watch them all you can enter a prize drawing.
Nov 16, 2026, 6:00 PMMember Shopping Night at Henry Ford Museum
The Henry Ford opens Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn after hours for its members on Monday, November 16, 2026, 6–9 p.m.: for the first time, in 2026, the whole museum is open for the night, with 60-plus guest vendors, live music and free cider, coffee and donuts. Free for members and guests covered by their membership; RSVP required by noon that day or until it fills.
Nov 20, 2026Light and Joy in the Holiday Season
Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn hosts a small display on how holidays are celebrated through food and light, running from Friday, November 20, 2026, through Saturday, January 2, 2027. It's included with museum admission and free for members.
Nov 20, 2026, 9:30 AMHolidays at The Henry Ford
The Henry Ford's holiday season kicks off Friday, November 20, at 9:30 a.m. and runs through Sunday, January 3, 2027, in Dearborn. Expect festive Greenfield Village events, Giant Screen Experience screenings and special shopping.
Nov 20, 2026, 9:30 AMLight and Joy in the Holiday Season
From Friday, November 20, through Sunday, January 3, the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn pairs a featured artifact display with community-led programs on how winter holidays are celebrated through food and light. It's free for members or included with museum admission.
Nov 20, 2026, 9:30 AMVisit with Santa
On Friday, November 20, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Santa is in the Arctic Alcove at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn. It's free for members or with museum admission.
Nov 21, 2026, 9:30 AMVisit with Santa
Santa is in the Arctic Alcove at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn on Saturday, November 21, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. It's free for members or with museum admission.
Nov 21, 2026, 2:00 PMAuthor Talk with Eric Moskowitz, "The Hardest, Longest Race"
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Eric Moskowitz talks about his new book with Matt Anderson, The Henry Ford's curator of transportation, on Saturday, November 21, at 2 p.m. at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn. It's free, but you need to register in advance.
Nov 22, 2026, 9:30 AMVisit with Santa
Santa is in the Arctic Alcove at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn on Sunday, November 22, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. It's free for members or included with museum admission.
Nov 27, 2026, 9:00 AMHoliday Greens & Tree Market
The Henry Ford's Holiday Greens & Tree Market opens Friday, November 27, at 9 a.m. at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn. Pick up a seasonal centerpiece to take home.
Nov 27, 2026, 9:30 AMHoliday Greens & Tree Market
The Henry Ford’s Holiday Greens & Tree Market runs Friday, November 27 through Monday, December 7 at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn. Take home a seasonal centerpiece while supplies last.
Nov 27, 2026, 9:30 AMVisit with Santa
On Friday, November 27, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., you can visit Santa in the Arctic Alcove at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn. The Henry Ford invites you to kick off the holidays with history's greatest toymaker. It's free for members or with museum admission.
Nov 28, 2026, 9:30 AMVisit with Santa
On Saturday, November 28, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., you can visit Santa in the Arctic Alcove at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn. It's free for members or included with museum admission.
Nov 29, 2026, 9:30 AMVisit with Santa
On Sunday, November 29, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Santa is in the Arctic Alcove at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn. The Henry Ford hosts; it's free for members or with museum admission.
Dec 4, 2026, 9:30 AMVisit with Santa
The Henry Ford hosts a visit with Santa on Friday, December 4, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Arctic Alcove at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn. It's free for members or with museum admission.
Dec 5, 2026, 9:30 AMVisit with Santa
Santa is in the Arctic Alcove at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn on Saturday, December 5, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. It's free for members or with museum admission.
Dec 6, 2026, 9:30 AMVisit with Santa
On Sunday, December 6, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., The Henry Ford has Santa in the Arctic Alcove at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn. It's free for members or with museum admission.
Dec 10, 2026, 10:00 AMHoliday Greens & Tree Market
The Henry Ford hosts the Holiday Greens & Tree Market on Thursday, December 10, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Clocktower at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn. You can take home a seasonal centerpiece, and there's a ticket link online.
Dec 11, 2026, 10:00 AMHoliday Greens & Tree Market
The Henry Ford's Holiday Greens & Tree Market runs Friday, December 11, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn. Stop by to take home a seasonal centerpiece.
Dec 12, 2026, 10:00 AMHoliday Greens & Tree Market
The Henry Ford hosts its Holiday Greens & Tree Market on Saturday, December 12, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Clocktower at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn. Stop by to take home a seasonal holiday centerpiece.
Dec 13, 2026, 10:00 AMHoliday Greens & Tree Market
The Henry Ford hosts its Holiday Greens & Tree Market on Sunday, December 13, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Clocktower at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn. You can take home a seasonal centerpiece.
Jan 18, 2027, 9:30 AMCelebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The Henry Ford marks the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, January 18, 2027, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn. Programs, performances and conversations are on the schedule, and museum admission, parking and activities are free.
Feb 1, 2027, 9:30 AMCelebrate Black History
The Henry Ford marks Black History Month at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn, February 1 through 28, daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reflect on the past, celebrate the present and commit to a more just future. It's free for members or with museum admission.
Feb 21, 2027, 9:30 AMNational Engineers Week Celebration
The Henry Ford in Dearborn celebrates engineers from Sunday, February 21, through Saturday, February 27, 2027, daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. It's a family-friendly week aimed at inspiring the next generation, and it's included with admission.
Mar 1, 2027, 9:30 AMCelebrate Women's History Month
The Henry Ford marks Women's History Month from March 1 through March 31, daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Dearborn. Explore the boundary-breaking achievements of American women at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and the Ford Rouge Factory Tour.
Aug 19, 2027, 9:30 AMNational Aviation Day
The Henry Ford marks National Aviation Day on Thursday, August 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Dearborn. Trace American flight from the Wright brothers' first liftoff to today's technological advances.
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