Stories of Impact

Join us in our mission to inspire learners of all ages to unleash their potential. Your donations have enabled us to operate our world-class venues, create transformative educational experiences and advance innovation, ingenuity and resourcefulness.

Every gift makes a difference, delivers impact and helps us take it forward for many years to come. Below are just a few examples of how your contribution makes an impact.

Learning Impact

Inspiring the next generation of innovators and problem solvers to realize their potential.

Invention Convention Worldwide In 2022, over 156,000 K-12 students from around the globe participated in The Henry Ford’s Invention Convention Worldwide program, identifying problems and designing solutions to help shape a better future.
Field Trips and Student Programs For over 90 years, The Henry Ford has been a favorite field trip in the region. As teachers build learning experiences, we encourage schools to add field trips to the plan. Our staff educates, engages and inspires student groups with programs, exhibits and experiences that leave an impression.
Educator Stories Thousands of educators across the globe have used our innovation learning resources on inHub, an online platform that was launched in the middle of the pandemic in response to the need for virtual learning. Our team curates, designs, produces and delivers these learning resources to inspire the next generation of change makers.

Community Impact

Collaborating with the community to create positive impact for our guests.  

With Liberty & Justice for All We listened to over 1,000 community members to understand what matters to them in the stories of innovators pioneering the way to change and freedom. As we update and enhance this exhibit, we are acquiring new collections and prototyping pop-up exhibits as part of our commitment to bringing the past forward.
Detroit Central Market We opened this market in spring 2022, saving this important piece of history from demolition and bringing the market back to life. It now serves as a learning platform, and our staff collaborates with community partners to educate visitors around important issues related to food, agriculture and the environment.
Accessibility Programs We are committed to providing the highest quality visit for every guest. We have improved our accessibility and inclusion in an array of ways, from facility improvements, such as new Companion Care restrooms with adult changing tables, to providing accommodations, such as sign language interpreters.

Collections Impact

Preserving, interpreting and sharing our world-class collections for guest engagement and inspiration.

Miniature Moments: A Journey through Hallmark® Keepsake Ornaments On November 20, 2022, a new permanent exhibition opened highlighting the most comprehensive collection of Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments ever assembled. With nearly 7,000 ornaments dating from 1973 to 2009, holiday celebrations, pop-culture moments and special milestones are all on display as living pieces of history.
Photo by Gerard Holzmann Lillian Schwartz In early 2021, we secured the Lillian F. Schwartz & Laurens R. Schwartz Collection, which includes thousands of objects that document artist Lillian Schwartz’s expansive and inquisitive mindset. As stewards of her legacy and our vast collections, our teams are digitizing selections from the collection for online accessibility.
Gog and Magog For decades, Sir John Bennett's shop—with its figures of mythological giants Gog and Magog—has intrigued and enthralled Greenfield Village's visitors. Thanks to the continuous restoration efforts of our teams, they are kept in pristine condition, even with over 125 years of timekeeping in England and America.