The majority of the district is on the north side of the river— including Riley, Ypsilanti, East Main, and Tecumseh Streets.

The original owners of this triangular plot of land donated it to the village with the promise that it remain undeveloped as a park in the center of the growing community.

Automotive magnate Henry Ford purchased the building and restored it at great cost in 1934.

[3][4] After Ford's death in 1947, support for this small factory diminished, and it was sold in 1954 to the Wolverine Manufacturing Company, where the building was converted once more to produce paper products.

The village purchased and revamped the structure and its surrounding 13.8 acres (5.6 ha) for public use as a museum and park.