Northville Historical Society: Guide to Mill Race Village
Northville · Community Photo
Nestled along the Rouge River, the mill race village buildings showcase Northville history, featuring New School Church Northville, Cady Inn Northville, Wash Oak School, and other preserved structures. The mill race village hours are Sundays from 1 pm to 4 pm, offering free admission for anyone eager to explore the living museum. Guests can also learn about the northville historical archives and discover ways to volunteer with the community stewards.
Preserving Northville’s Heritage
Origins of Mill Race Historical Village
Land Donation
In 1972, ford motor company northville donated a parcel of land along the Rouge River to the City of Northville. The site, once the location of a grist mill, became the foundation for the mill race historical village.
Village Creation
Guided by the generous gift, community volunteers erected a collection of historic structures, turning the area into a living showcase of 19th‑century architecture.
wash oak school
new school church northville
cady inn northville
additional landmarks such as the Yerkes House and Hirsch Blacksmith Shop
Visitor Information
The grounds are open year‑round from dawn to dusk, providing free public access. The mill race village buildings welcome guests on Sundays from 1 pm to 4 pm during the open season. These times are commonly referred to as the mill race village hours.
Preservation and Community Role
This origin story underscores the partnership between ford motor company northville and local volunteers, reinforcing northville history while ensuring the village remains a focal point for education, events, and community pride.
Northville, Michigan · Local heritage
Mill Race Village
Historic Timeline
From a working mill to a place of preservation.
Grist mill built
John Miller constructed a grist mill on the future village site.
Along the Rouge River near Griswold Street, Northville, MI
Ford acquisition
Donald P. Yerkes sold the property to Henry Ford, who later razed the mill and built a valve factory across Griswold Street in 1920—a Ford “village industry.”
Northville, MI
Land donation & village creation
The Ford Motor Company donated the parcel to the City of Northville for a park and historic village. The village was founded that same year.
Northville, MI
Gazebo construction
Local high-school students built a large, turn-of-the-century-style gazebo overlooking the Rouge River.
Mill Race Village, Northville, MI
Preserved Structures and Architecture in the Village
Structure | Architectural Style | Original Historical Use | Modern Community Role |
|---|---|---|---|
Wash Oak School | Rectangular wood‑frame, red paint with white trim, fieldstone foundation | One‑room schoolhouse (1873–1966) serving Washtenaw and Oakland counties | Living‑history classroom for visiting elementary school classes |
New School Church | Greek Revival with columned entrance portico | Built as a Presbyterian church; later used as a school, township hall, Salvation Army barracks, and public library | Primary venue for wedding ceremonies, receptions, community meetings, and gatherings |
Cady Inn | New England tavern / saltbox style | Public lodging and stagecoach stop; later apartments and possibly an Underground Railroad station | Houses administrative offices and archives; hosts meetings and afternoon‑tea programs |
Hirsch Blacksmith Shop | Stone masonry replica | Blacksmith shop and carriage‑factory operations in the 19th century | Working smithy forge with live summer demonstrations on Sundays, plus a museum with rotating exhibits |
J.M. Mead General Store | Timber‑frame commercial construction (last standing timber‑framed commercial building) | General store and multi‑business hub (circa 1830–1850) | Village gift shop/store on the main floor; historical archives upstairs |
Yerkes House | Traditional nine‑room Carpenter Gothic style with detailed scroll‑saw work and floating staircase | Single‑family residential home built in 1873 | House museum offering seasonal docent‑led tours and historical exhibitions |
New School Church
Architectural Style: Greek Revival (columned entrance portico)
Date Built: 1845
Original Builder: A splinter group of the First Presbyterian Church of Northville
Current Location: Mill Race Historical Village, 215 Griswold St, Northville, MI 48167
Relocated: 1972
Historical Use: Served as a church for 4 years; later functioned as a school, township hall, Salvation Army barracks, and Northville’s library for 70 years
River Gazebo
Date Built: 1979
Builders: Students from the woodshop class at John Glenn High School in Westland, Michigan
Design Inspiration: Victorian‑era / turn‑of‑the‑century gazebos
Location: Overlooking the mill race and Rouge River within Mill Race Historical Village; accessed from Griswold Street (≈ 0.2 mi north of East Main St), Northville, MI 48167 (42° 26.012′ N, 83° 28.797′ W)
Details: Wood‑framed structure frequently used by couples to exchange wedding vows
Visiting Hours, Location & Guest Guidelines
Hours
Grounds are open daily from dawn to dusk.
Historic building tours run on Sundays from 1 pm to 4 pm during the open season.
Admission
Entry to Mill Race Village is free for all visitors.
Location
215 Griswold St., Northville, MI 48167
Contact and Rental Inquiries
Visit the historic grounds at 215 Griswold St, Northville, MI 48167. Call (248) 348‑1845 for information on private party rentals, wedding ceremonies, and photo or film shoots.
The venue is open daily from dawn to dusk, and the historic buildings host tours on Sundays from 1 pm to 4 pm during the season. Admission is free, and rental packages start around $350 per event.
Explore Local History, Events, and Education
History Lecture Series
Funded by a grant from the Northville Community Foundation, the lecture series at mill race historical village is free and open to the public. Sessions are held on Thursdays, providing residents with a chance to explore northville history through expert speakers.
Houdini’s Detroit – October 14, 2026 (Wednesday).
The 27th Grievance – November 18, 2026 (Wednesday).
Children’s Christmas Workshop
The 47th Annual Children’s Christmas Workshop takes place on December 5, 2026 at mill race historical village. Registration opens on November 6, 2026 at the community center located at 218 W. Dunlap, Northville, MI 48167. The event typically fills quickly, so early sign‑up is recommended.
Genealogical Society Programs
Meetings are held in the Carlos Community Meeting Room of the Northville District Library, 212 W. Cady Street, Northville, MI 48167 (phone 248‑349‑3020) on the second Sunday of each month, both in person and via Zoom.
October 11, 2026 – “Our Professional Ancestors: Lawyers, Doctors, Clergy, etc.”
November 8, 2026 – “Our Immigrant Ancestors & Time to Hit the Books: Yearbooks, Alumni Lists, and More”
January 10, 2027 – “Our Artisan Ancestors: Artisans, Craftsmen, Artists”
February 7, 2027 – “Our Female Ancestors & Ukrainian Research for Beginners”
Hours: Open Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Appointments are welcome but not required.
Location: 215 Griswold St., Northville, MI 48167.
Fees
Self‑conducted research – $10 per visit for non‑members (free for members).
Staff‑assisted research – $24.00 per hour.
Black‑and‑white copies – $0.25 each.
Color copies – $1.00 each.
Personal digital photos taken on site – $5 each.
Photographs from personal collection – $10 each.
Commercial‑use photographs – $50 each.
Items must relate directly to local history, such as locally manufactured artifacts, belongings of long‑time residents, or historic business signs.
Donors start by submitting an online inquiry form to confirm suitability.
Mailing address for physical donations: 215 Griswold St., Northville, MI 48167‑1664.
Contact phone: (248) 348‑1845.
Various teams welcome community help. The Stone Gang meets on Tuesday mornings for routine maintenance, while Gardeners also gather Tuesday mornings for landscaping tasks.
Special Event Support volunteers assist with planning and execution of the many events held throughout the year.
Parade Participants represent the organization in local parades, wearing Victorian outfits provided by the group.
Prospective volunteers can fill out an online volunteer form indicating preferred areas of interest.
