After a year of being shut down, Eagle Tavern at Greenfield Village is expected to reopen
Frank WitsilEagle Tavern, the 19th-century eatery at the Henry Ford Museum's Greenfield Village in Dearborn, is planning to open next month, first exclusively to attraction members, and then the general public.
The tavern attempts to recreate the atmosphere and food from 1850. Strangers sit together, and there's no electric lighting, so as the sun goes down, candles get lit so guests can see.
"You can't go anywhere else, really, and be immersed in history while you are eating like this," museum spokeswoman Melissa Foster said. "Having that back is a sign things are returning to normal."
The museum said it is still working out details. However, as of Thursday, the museum's member-only days are set for May 14-16, and the opening to the public will be on May 20. Expect hours to be more limited than in the past, and seating to be as well.
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For some metro Detroiters, dining at the tavern has been an annual ritual before watching the Village's Independence Day Salute to America. For others, it has been a popular stop while visiting Greenfield Village to get a meal.
In the re-creation, the Wood family, the original tavern owners, were farmers who harvested and prepared the food for their guests.
And back then, the tavern would have been the town's social center.
The seasonally inspired meals and menus still feature Michigan-grown food, with type of recipes that have been handed down from generation to generation for more than 175 years ago by the Wood family.
The tavern also sells period cocktails and modern alcoholic beverages .
Museum officials said the tavern will only be open when Greenfield Village is, Thursday through Sunday. The hours will be limited to 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., so you might not get to experience dinner by candlelight, and there are no reservations.
Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com.