Greenmead Farms facts for kids
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Greenmead Historical Park
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Joshua Simmons House
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| Location | 38125 Base Line Road, Livonia, Michigan |
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| Built | 1841 |
| Built by | Sergium Lyon |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000672 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | March 24, 1972 |
Greenmead Historical Park, also known as Greenmead Farms, is a 3.2-acre historic park. You can find it at 38125 Base Line Road in Livonia, Michigan. This special place includes the Simmons House, built in 1841 in the Greek Revival style. There are also six other original buildings and many more historic structures that were moved here from other places. Greenmead Farms became a Michigan State Historic Site in 1971. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
Contents
Discovering Greenmead's Past
The story of Greenmead starts in 1825. A 23-year-old man named Joshua Simmons and his wife, Hannah, moved from Bristol, New York. They bought a 160-acre piece of land in what is now Livonia. Joshua named his new farm "Meadow Brook." In 1826, he built a small log cabin on the property.
Later, in 1841, Joshua hired a builder named Sergium Lyon. Lyon helped him build the beautiful Greek Revival farmhouse that you can still see today. Joshua Simmons kept farming and added more buildings as his farm grew. By the time he passed away in 1882, he was the richest landowner in Livonia.
The Simmons family lived on the farm until 1915. Then, in 1920, Sherwin and Jean Boyd Hill bought the farm. They gave it the new name "Greenmead." Sherwin Hill raised dairy cows on the farm until he died in 1961.
In 1972, Greenmead was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places. A few years later, in 1976, the city of Livonia bought the farm. They wanted to turn it into a park for everyone to enjoy. The city also started moving other old buildings to the park. Some of these buildings were even older than the American Civil War. Since 2010, Greenmead Historical Park has been open for visitors to explore!
Exploring the Original Farm Buildings
The main farmhouse, built in 1841, is a two-story building. It's built in the Greek Revival style, with a classic look. It has side gables and clapboard siding, which means it's covered with overlapping wooden boards. The house sits on a strong stone foundation.
Above the windows, you can see decorative "drip molding." The front door is framed by tall, slender columns called Ionic pilasters. Inside the house, there are five fireplaces. You can also see beautiful 19th-century woodwork, showing how homes were built long ago.
Besides the main house, nine of the original eleven farm buildings are still standing. These include the North Barn, built in 1829. It was the very first barn ever built in Livonia! There's also the farmhand's house, which many believe was Joshua Simmons's first log cabin. You can also find another barn and a greenhouse from the original farm.
Historic Buildings Moved to Greenmead
Greenmead Historical Park is special because it's home to many historic buildings that were moved here from other parts of Livonia. These buildings help visitors understand what life was like in the past.
The Village Buildings
Four buildings from the mid-1800s were moved to Greenmead. They are grouped together and called "the village."
- Cranson-Hinbern House: This house was built in the 1850s. It's now used as a gift shop and offices for the park staff. The house was originally located on Inkster Road. It was donated to the city in 1984 and restored to look like it did around 1900.
- Kingsley House: Built in 1843, this is another classic Greek Revival farmhouse. It's filled with furniture from that time period. The Kingsley family lived in this house until 1914. It was moved to Greenmead in 1977.
- Thomas Shaw House: Also built in 1843, this house is another Greek Revival style. It was built in a grander way for a wealthier family. The Shaw House was moved to Greenmead in 1973 to make space for a highway.
- The Friends' Meeting House: This building, from 1846, was originally a meeting place for the Society of Friends. After the Society stopped meeting there in 1860, it became a private home.
The Ann Arbor Trail and Newburgh Roads Cluster
On the eastern side of the park, there are seven more historic buildings. These buildings have been restored to look like they did between 1915 and 1920. They are arranged to look like the actual intersection of Ann Arbor Trail and Newburgh Roads in Livonia.
- Detroit United Railway Waiting Room: This building was constructed in 1897. It was a waiting room for a special train line that connected towns like Wayne, Plymouth, and Livonia. The building was moved to Greenmead in 1976.
- The Bungalow: This small, two-bedroom home was built in 1913. It's decorated with furniture from the early 1900s.
- Newburg Methodist Church: Built in 1848, this church has curved pews and original stained glass windows. It was first a Presbyterian Meeting House. It was moved to Greenmead in 1977.
- The Parsonage: This house, built in 1924, was where the minister of the Methodist Church lived. Today, it's the home of the park's caretaker.
- The Newburg School: This one-room schoolhouse was built in 1863 for just $400! It was used until 1922. The schoolhouse was moved to Greenmead in 1987.
- A.J. Geer General Store: This store, built in 1908, was moved to Greenmead in 1976. It shows what a general store looked like long ago.
- Alexander Blue House: This house was built in the mid-1800s by Judge Alexander Blue. He was a Justice of the Peace for many years. The Blue family lived in the house until 1915. It was donated to the city and moved to Greenmead. The house now looks like it did in the 1880s.
Images for kids
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The Cranson-Hinbern House, now a gift shop.
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The Kingsley House, a classic Greek Revival farmhouse.
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The Thomas Shaw House, built for a wealthier family.
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The Friends' Meeting House, originally a religious meeting hall.
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The Detroit United Railway Waiting Room.
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The Bungalow, a small two-bedroom home from 1913.
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The Newburg Methodist Church, with original stained glass.
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The Newburg School, a one-room schoolhouse.
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The A.J. Geer General Store.
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The Alexander Blue House, home of Judge Alexander Blue.
