This Sweet Shop Was Actually Built In England, Dismantled, And Brought To Michigan
By Trent Jonas|Published July 07, 2023
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Trent Jonas
Author
Trent Jonas came to Minnesota to attend college - and never left. He's a Twin Cities-based writer with a BA in English and a MFA in creative writing, a Minnesota Master Naturalist, and the proud father of two adult children. With more than a decade of freelance writing experience under his belt, Trent is often out exploring his favorite topics: Minnesota's woods, lakes, and trails. Rhubarb pie is his weakness, so discovering new diners is also a passion.
Sir John Bennett Sweet Shop is a distinctive structure in Henry Ford’s historic Greenfield Village. If you’ve visited this popular Dearborn attraction, you’ve probably noticed its unique clock tower. What you may not realize, though, is that it was originally built in London, dismantled, and brought here. Now this reassembled Michigan building is a piece of Great Lakes State history.
In 1929, Henry Ford opened Greenfield Village, an homage to American history, industry, and ingenuity.
A visit to Greenfield Village allows a glimpse into the genius of American innovators like Thomas Edison and the Wright Brothers, as well as Ford, himself. What makes the site so interesting is that many of the buildings were brought in from elsewhere so that the village could be planned to Ford’s exacting specifications.
One of the most distinctive buildings in Greenfield Village is a two-story brick structure with an elaborate clock tower.
This is Sir John Bennett Sweet Shop - at least that’s what it is today. When Ford first saw it in London in 1928, it was Sir John Bennett’s jewelry, clock, and watch shop. Ford was so enamored with the building that he bought it.
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Then he had it dismantled and shipped to Dearborn for inclusion in his new Greenfield Village concept.
The building was originally five stories tall, but Ford had his architect reassemble it at two stories so that it better fit the scale, aesthetic, and design of the village.
Today, when you visit Sir John Bennett, you’ll see the giants and their gilt friends in the same splendorous state they were in when Ford first glimpsed them nearly a century ago.
Take a look at YouTuber L Reardon’s video of the historic clock in action:
Be sure to take some time to explore the rest of historic Greenfield Village. If you’re making a weekend of your visit, stay at the unique Trumbull and Porter Hotel, which isn’t far from Greenfield Village and is close to many other area attractions.
Have you visited Sir John Bennett Sweet Shop? Tell us about your experience in the comments!
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