I’ve visited The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village many times over the years. For a history buff like me, it’s a fantastic place to visit. This is especially true if you want to learn about the history of transportation via planes, trains and automobiles. It’s a place I believe rivaled only by the Smithsonian.
During yesterday’s visit I noticed something new, or perhaps something which was there all the time but I never noticed it. The people working there are extraordinary.
First thing when we arrived at the front door to the museum there was someone to greet us. She explained how to buy tickets, where to go to enter the museum and was quite ready to tell us the history of the place. She was quite knowledgable, friendly and helpful.
The next person we ran into was the lady at the entrance to the exhibits. She was also quite friendly and helpful.
A few months ago, when I was planning this trip, I struck up a Twitter conversation with @thehenryford. In the course of that conversation it was suggested I tweet them when I was visiting. I did so the morning we were to visit.
As we were touring through the museum, Jared tweeted that he’d like to meet up (tweet up), so we met him and Blair in the area near the trains. We had a very nice chat about the museum and Greenfield Village. It wasn’t long, but it was nice and informative. I don’t know that they have time to meet every tweeter who comes to visit, but it was nice that they were able to take time from their busy day to chat with us and help us learn a bit more about the museum.
In the Village the people were also great. Part of their job is to recreate history, and to tell what they are doing. I was taken by the explanations of the tasks the people were doing whether they were working on the circa 1880s farm, in the tin smith shop, glass blowing, pottery or the train roundhouse. The people were friendly, patient, informative and entertaining.
The reason I think they “get it” is that they understand people. Whether they hire people who are very sociable and natural teachers or whether the people are taught to be so I don’t know. What I do know is their sociability makes for a visit there exceptional.
If you’re in the Detroit area, I highly recommend you make time to visit The Henry Ford and Greenfield Village. It’ll be an all-day affair, but a day well spent.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
From my staff….thank you for visiting. We are so glad you enjoyed your time with us.
Kathy Cichon
Thank you for commenting.
We certainly did enjoy our visit. I’m looking forward to returning so we can finish our walk through Greenfield Village.
{ 1 trackback }