In a world that often moves too fast to remember where it’s been, the Dearborn Inn in Michigan is slowing things down in the most elegant way—by inviting guests to live inside a story.
Following an extensive renovation, the historic Dearborn Inn, originally opened in 1931 by Henry Ford and now part of Marriott International’s Autograph Collection, has unveiled its newest chapter: the Colonial Homes. These five faithfully reimagined, colonial-style guesthouses sit tucked along the 23-acre estate and pay tribute to figures who shaped American and literary history—Edgar Allan Poe, Walt Whitman, Barbara Fritchie, Patrick Henry, and Oliver Wolcott. Each home offers more than a place to stay; it’s a portal to another time.
Built in 1937 to accommodate guests visiting the nearby Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village, the Colonial Homes were always meant to reflect Americana. But today’s iteration, designed in partnership with Ford Land, Saguez & Dash, and Kraemer Design Group, weaves a richer narrative. It’s hospitality with a heartbeat—a blend of historical preservation and modern imagination where each home doubles as a living exhibit.
Step into Poe’s somber, contemplative world in a 986-square-foot suite that honors his time in Fordham, New York. Dark hues of forest green and onyx wrap the walls like a velvet cloak, softened by gold accents and anchored by a writer’s nook equipped with period-style quills. Over in Whitman’s farmhouse-style retreat, light pours through generous windows onto natural wood and layered greenery. The space breathes poetry, mirroring the pastoral rhythm of Leaves of Grass.
Barbara Fritchie’s Maryland home channels quiet defiance and grace, with warm woods and deep reds paying tribute to the woman who waved the Union flag from her second-story window. Patrick Henry’s grand residence—the largest of the five at over 4,000 square feet—leans into opulence, from a tartan stair runner to hunting lodge-inspired decor that hints at both his fiery rhetoric and Scottish roots. And Oliver Wolcott’s Connecticut home, with its archival prints and historic furnishings, evokes the quiet diplomacy of a founding father who helped shape a new nation.
More than museum pieces, these homes feel alive. They’re grounded in texture, color, and story—each detail a deliberate nod to legacy. Yet the comforts are unmistakably current: plush bedding, curated minibars, kitchens, and cozy nooks for curling up with a book or simply being still.
“Henry Ford envisioned these homes as living tributes to American heritage,” said Jim Dobleske, Ford Land CEO. “It’s an honor to carry that vision forward and create a unique sense of place for today’s modern guests.” That sense of place is palpable, not just in the homes themselves, but in how they extend the soul of the Dearborn Inn.
Guests of the Colonial Homes enjoy full access to the Inn’s thoughtfully reimagined amenities, including Clara’s Table, a farm-to-table restaurant inspired by Clara Ford, and Four Vagabonds, a moody cocktail bar named after Ford’s legendary road trip crew. The redesigned main building echoes the same ethos of storytelling with historic memorabilia, Ford Archives artifacts, and nostalgic touches that honor its nearly century-long run.
“Dearborn Inn has always been more than a hotel; it’s a piece of living history,” said General Manager Joleisha Bradley. “The addition of the Colonial Homes offers guests an entirely new way to experience that history.”
There’s something especially poetic about honoring history not through silence and stillness, but through lived experience. The Colonial Homes invite you to wake up where legends once lived, to touch the pages of American history without ever picking up a book. It’s more than a stay—it’s a story. And this one’s yours to tell.
