Following the completion of our fourth challenge this past Friday, we took a journey over to Detroit’s neighboring city, Dearborn. There are a lot of great attractions in Dearborn such as the Arab American National Museum, University of Michigan-Dearborn and the Automotive Hall of Fame, but what brought us to the city was a visit to the historic The Henry Ford. I have been wanting to visit this museum since I moved to Michigan so I was very excited for this trip, and I’m happy to report that it surpassed my expectations. We were greeted by our host George Moroz, Special Assistant to the President, who brought us over to the Benson Ford Research Center for a brief overview of The Henry Ford. Some fun facts:
- Mission: provide unique educational experiences based on authentic objects, stories and lives from America’s traditions of ingenuity, resourcefulness and innovation with a purpose to inspire people to learn from these traditions to shape a better future.
- There are five distinct attractions: Henry Ford Museum, Greenfield Village, IMAX Theatre, Benson Ford Research Center and Ford Rouge Factory Tour.
- The Henry Ford is also home to Henry Ford Academy, a public charter high school, which educates 485 students a year on its campus.
- Only 6% of all the artifacts the museum owns are actually on display.
- The Henry Ford is not owned or funded by the Ford Motor Company or the Ford Foundation.
Clockwise starting top left: Rosa Parks Bus, Kennedy Car; Dymaxion House Photo Credit: The Henry Ford
Following the presentation, Mr. Moroz gave a personal tour of the museum. Some notable artifacts:
- Buckminster Fuller’s prototype Dymaxion House *This was my favorite
- Bus on which Rosa Parks rode when she was arrested for refusing to give up her seat
- Car which President John F. Kennedy was riding in when he was assassinated
- Chair from Ford’s Theatre in which President Abraham Lincoln was sitting in when he was assassinated
- George Washington’s camp bed
- The world’s oldest steam engine
All that exploring made us hungry so a group of us headed to Al Ameer for an authentic Lebanese cuisine experience. Al Ameer’s is a family run business established in 1989. They are very selective with where they purchase their meats and vegetables, and it certainly is reflected in the taste. This meal has been added to my “Meals I Will Always Remember” list. It was so delicious! (Special thanks to my fellow fellows Annie and Sarms for inviting me and guiding me through what I should order.) Do yourself a favor, go there ASAP and order the Family Tray which offers you a taste of everything. It is enormous so bring lots of friends (including me please)!
Family Tray:) So many delicious meats!!!