Abraham Lincoln Mask at The Henry Ford

It's pretty weird to see Lincoln's death mask, but it is there at the Henry Ford in Dearborn and since today is his birthday, February 12, 1809, we thought we'd add that bit of trivia. When you think about it, they do have some pretty macabre stuff at The Henry: his death mask, the chair in which he sat when he got shot, the car Kennedy was assassinated in.  It makes for an interesting tour of the museum!

Masri Sweets in Dearborn

We indulged in a delicious pastry feast at Masri Sweets on Schaefer in Dearborn. They encourage customers to personalize and custom-order their cakes, so we did and they made us a beautiful dessert for a going away party. We love their baklava, too. The Masri family has been in the pastry business for over 100 years. 

Rosa Parks Bus at The Henry Ford

Today, Rosa Parks, the mother of the freedom movement, would have been 99 years old.  At The Henry Ford in Dearborn, you can see and get on and sit in her seat on the bus where she refused to obey the driver's order that she give up her seat to a white person. A recording of her voice plays above your head. This 1955 act of civil disobedience in Montgomery, Alabama helped spark the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Civil Rights Movement. Rosa was awarded numerous medals and awards including the Congressional Gold Medal.

Dearborn's Big Fish at Fairlane Mall

On the outer perimeter of Fairlane Mall in Dearborn stands Big Fish, a Muer seafood restaurant that is truly wonderful. This seafood bistro motto is "One bite and you'll be hooked". Wednesday nights, they feature jazz on the patio and the weekends offer live entertainment. Perhaps their biggest enticement is the Happy Hour rock bottom pricing from 3-6:30pm on weekdays. Come help them celebrate their 20th anniversary.  We loved everything, especially this crab and corn short stack.

Westborn Market in Berkley

The specialty gourmet food store called Westborn Market in Berkley on Woodward is family owned along with their store in Livonia and Dearborn.  In business for almost 50 years, they offer way more than fruits and vegetables.  With a full service florist they are even known for their beautiful wedding flowers. Their hanging petunia baskets were irresistible and herbs for planting were 2 for $5.  We saw another lady with her basket full of orchids.  They offer a huge selection of cheeses and wine.  What we enjoyed the most, was their large sanctuary dome which features only locally produced goods from Michigan, like salsas, chips, honey, pickles, beets, candy, etc. Three cheers for their Go Local promotions!

Henry Ford Centennial Library in Dearborn

Henry Ford's 100th birthday was in 1963. To celebrate that event the Ford Foundation granted 3 million dollars for the building of a library and the Ford Motor Company gave 15 acres of land on Michigan Avenue for the construction of the facility. It was finally dedicated in 1969. One of our favorite Michigan artists, Marshall Fredericks, sculpted Henry Ford's image in bronze which you see above mounted on a marble pedestal. The Rotunda Gallery inside the library displays various pieces of art. There is a 3-dimensional map of the US that was originally shown in the Ford Pavilion during the World's Fair in New York in 1964. The artist who designed it, Glen Michaels, also created the twisting staircase that connects all three floors in the library and the tapestry.

Famous Hamburger Grill and Cafe, Dearborn

Famous Hamburger is a restaurant that represents the the classic American Dream.  The Hider family of Dearborn opened Famous Hamburger over 35 years ago in the Dearborn area after immigrating from Lebanon.  They use halal meat and offer many different burgers like the salmon, the swiss, the lo carb, and the inferno.  We tried the Famous Burger with two 1/3 pound beef patties, fried egg, cheese, lettuce and tomato.  We washed it down with a blackberry shake.   Yummy!   

Fordson High School in Dearborn

This gorgeous Fordson High School was constructed in the late 1920's and was the first American School to cost over a million dollars to build with an actual cost of 2.2 million.   It's exterior is constructed of granite and Briar Hill sandstone trim.  The tower was patterned after the Lawyers Club at University of Michigan with Byzantine cupolas.   It contains a dumb waiter that was once used to move books between the floors.  During the Korean conflict plans were created to use it as a watch tower, but the school board cancelled it.   The inside holds much beauty as well with statues, busts, beautiful wood paneling, and artwork.   Alumni include notable scholars, politicians, actors, athletes, authors, and businessmen.

Ford Homes Historic District, Dearborn

The Ford Historic Home District contains some really beautiful homes. Although there are only six different styles (A-F) each looks unique.  We were surprised to learn that this development had nothing to do with cars but with equipment and tractors.  Henry Ford  started production of tractors in 1915 to help the American farmer.  He employed 400 men who had to rent homes in Detroit at the high rate of $75.00 per month and ride the crowded street car to get to work.   In 1919 construction of high quality homes began by Dearborn Realty and Construction Company whose major shareholders were Clara Ford and Edsel Ford.  250 homes were constructed in 1919 and 1920.  Pictured are a couple of models that originally sold for for about $9000 in 1919.  

Sacred Heart Parish in Dearborn

Beautiful Sacred Heart Parish in Dearborn is celebrating its 175th anniversary as a catholic community on Michigan Avenue with a thriving school. The building itself dates back to 1929 when they laid the cornerstone a few months before the stock market crash. Their cemetery is the oldest active cemetery in metro Detroit. They are also celebrating March is Reading Month with the theme "Find Your Heart in a Book" where we are urged to recall those books that have left an impression on our lives and touched our hearts.  We can name a few!  Can you?

Miller's Bar in Dearborn

With over a quarter of a million people voting, Miller's Bar on Michigan Avenue in Dearborn has claimed the number one spot in metro Detroit for the all-American hamburger. We had to go check it out.  This little unassuming place was packed wall to wall and Shirley, our server, was a stitch.  When we asked her what beer was on tap, she responded with attitude, "Miller"! The burgers were delicious, but we have to confess a huge surprise in finding out they were served sans plate--just on a piece of paper. Another shocker was--no bill! You just go up to the counter and tell the cashier what you ordered. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn

The Automotive Hall of Fame began with a group of men meeting as early as 1939 to create an organization that would perpetuate the memories of the early automotive pioneers as well as contemporary leaders in the industry. It started in Washington, DC then moved to Midland, MI and then to Dearborn in 1997.  This museum, adjacent to the Henry Ford, is so well done.  The displays are interesting and make the inductees lives come alive.  The first woman honored was Alice Ramsey, who with 3 other women left NYC and drove 41 days, used 11 tires and put 3800 miles on the Maxwell touring car to arrive in San Francisco.  Alice had inspired countless women to pursue automotive related goals and dreams. Pictured in the center is Mercedes after whom her doting father, Karl Benz, named a car.

The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn

The Henry Ford in Dearborn is a spectacular place--a world class museum-- that we return to again and again.  Every out-of-state visitor has to come to here.  It is a national historic landmark that began as Henry Ford's personal collection. Today, it houses such jaw-dropping artifacts as the chair Lincoln was sitting in when he was assassinated, the car Kennedy was driving in when he was shot, the bus in which Rosa Parks made her protest heard round the world (and they even let you sit in her seat and hear her own words) and an original authentic 1946 diner restored to perfection. Then there are the magnificent displays of locomotive engines and airplanes and power grids as well as a special exhibit on the fascinating George Washington Carver. We love visiting in the wintertime, because it is less crowded.

Arab American National Museum, Dearborn

Dearborn's Arab American Museum is our nation's first one devoted to Arab American history and culture. An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., it has permanent and changing exhibits, a library and gift shop. The Conference Room mosaics are beautiful. Current exhibits are From Mocha to Latte: The Arab World and the $4 Cup and Noble Jewels: North African Jewelry and Photography from the Xavier Guerrard-Hermes Collection.

The Dearborn Inn

Henry Ford hired Albert Kahn to design the elegant Dearborn Inn. It was built in the Georgian style and served as a hotel for the Ford airport across the street. The landing strip closed in 1933 and is now the Ford Vehicle Track. Since opening in the early 1930's, hotel guests have included Orville Wright, Eleanor Roosevelt, Bette Davis, James Doolittle and Norman Rockwell. In 1937 Henry Ford had five historic replica homes built on the hotel campus in a colonial village setting which can also be reserved. Can you imagine staying in the replica home of Edgar Allen Poe (complete with Raven on the porch), Walt Whitman or Patrick Henry? We recently attended the Michigan Historical Conference at the Dearborn Inn. All attendees seemed very pleased with the food, ambiance and their accommodations.

Bistro 222

The latest buzz word is Bistro 222 of Dearborn where Chef Michael Chamas' sauteed lake perch is served with a lemon caper sauce on a bed of crispy garlicky and mashed potatoes. Open for lunch and dinner on Michigan Avenue, the food is delicious and the atmosphere is cozy. The American dishes are made with fresh local produce when available and have a definite European influence. We like their three word motto displayed on their window: Live, Love, Eat!

Players Guild of Dearborn

The talented Players Guild has been preforming in Dearborn for over 70 years! Everyone loves a "Who done it" by Agatha Christie. The Hollow is currently showing --a wonderfully acted play with three possible suspects, Edward (Mark Ripper), Girda (Cindy Contko) and Doris (Claudia Walrad). Some pretty famous actors have made appearances in their stage like George Peppard, Chad Everett and Tom Skerrit.

Dearborn's Shatila Bakery

Shatila Bakery is located in Dearborn on Warren Avenue, just west of Schaefer and their pastries are divine. We have tried almost everything in this counter. Our favorites are the baba au rhum, the creme caramel, the fruit tarts, the opera cake, the mousse-filled chocolate tea cups and the eclairs. They are open until 11pm!! We walked in here one night at 9:30pm and it was packed wall-to-wall. They are obviously doing something right.