Ford Motor Co.’s historic Dearborn Inn, which reopened in March 2025 following an extensive renovation as part of Marriott International’s Autograph Collection, has unveiled the Dearborn Inn Colonial Homes.
The five colonial-style replicas of historically significant homes, now reimagined as 18 additional distinctive guest accommodations, joins the hotel’s existing 135 rooms.
Originally built in 1937 as part of a 23-acre hospitality campus, the Dearborn Inn Colonial Homes commemorate notable figures throughout American and literary history — Edgar Allan Poe, Walt Whitman, Barbara Fritchie, Patrick Henry, and Oliver Wolcott — with each home’s design inspired by its namesake.
Each home emulates the experience of a living exhibit, allowing visitors to feel as though they are inhabiting history while enjoying the comforts of modern hospitality.
The homes were sparked by Henry Ford’s desire to accommodate visitors to the neighboring Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and Greenfield Village, and celebrate Americana and Michigan’s legacy of craftsmanship by blending original colonial-style architecture with modern touches and custom furnishings.
“Henry Ford envisioned these homes as living tributes to American heritage, and it’s an honor to carry that vision forward and create a unique sense of place for today’s modern guests,” says Jim Dobleske, chair and CEO at Ford Land, the automaker’s real estate arm.
“The Colonial Homes expand on Dearborn Inn’s unique offerings, spotlighting the storied pasts of luminaries of American and literary history with a fresh purpose.”
Designed in collaboration with Ford Land, the restoration team included design firm Saguez & Dash and architecture firm Kraemer Design Group in Detroit.
Home details include:
Edgar Allan Poe
An American literary hero, Poe is celebrated for his haunting tales of mystery and horror, and credited with shaping Gothic literature while influencing the rise of science fiction. His replica home, inspired by Poe’s real-life Fordham, New York City cottage that was once described as having “taste and gentility” despite its humble design, is a 986-square-foot, two-floor cottage now reimagined as a Colonial King Suite. With one bedroom and a spacious main floor living area and kitchenette, the replica pays homage to Poe’s quiet seclusion and his most renowned work — his globally known poem, “The Raven” — through artful touches, such as bird figurines and a color palette featuring forest greens, onyx, and ochre balanced with unexpected patterns and gold accents. The space includes a Writer’s Den housed with a convertible Murphy Bed along with time period-inspired writing utensils.
Walt Whitman
Known as the “father of free verse,” Whitman redefined American poetry with “Leaves of Grass,” which celebrates democracy, nature, and the human spirit. His replica home is that of his Long Island farmhouse. The light-filled residence with 1,759 square feet of space and four separate guest rooms marks his pastoral legacy. Airy interiors, natural textures, and abundant greenery echo his love of the outdoors while books, botanical artwork, and seating areas inspire moments of reflection and creativity. The space is completed with a screened-in porch, encouraging guests to enjoy their natural surroundings just as Whitman did.
Barbara Fritchie
A symbol of courage during the Civil War, Fritchie became a folk hero immortalized by John Greenleaf Whittier’s poem for defiantly waving the Union flag. A replica of her one-and-a-half story home with dormer windows that she shared with her husband in Frederick, Md., the residence offers three guest accommodations spanning 1,578 square feet of space, two of which offer private living spaces. Design touches include textiles in shades of red and blue —an homage to the Union flag she waved out the second-story window — historical prints, and wood accents. Guests are greeted upon entry with a sitting area centered around a fireplace.
Patrick Henry
Renowned for stating, “Give me liberty, or give me death,” Henry was an impassioned voice of the American Revolution. While his original dwelling in Red Hill, Virg., burned down in 1920 after remaining in the family for more than a century, the home’s legacy lives on through its replica at the Dearborn Inn. The largest of the five colonial residences at 4,285 square feet, the space features six separate guest rooms, including king and queen suites. Textures such as velvet and plaids, along with a custom-designed tartan-patterned stair runner, are a nod to Henry’s Scottish heritage, while animal-inspired decor speaks to his being an avid huntsman. A grand staircase and spacious entryway greet guests upon arrival while leather furnishings, joined by framed speeches and colonial-era motifs.
Oliver Wolcott
A signer of the Declaration of Independence and a Connecticut statesman, Wolcott played a pivotal role in shaping the young nation. Modeled after his 1754 home in Litchfield, Conn., which was visited by Alexander Hamilton and George Washington, the 2,704-square-foot replica home offers four separate rooms and celebrates his contributions with design touches rooted in craftsmanship and tradition. Historic-inspired furnishings, archival artwork, and layered Americana details create an atmosphere that honors Wolcott’s legacy of service and civic leadership.
“The Dearborn Inn has always been more than a hotel; it’s a piece of living history,” says Joleisha Bradley, general manager of the Dearborn Inn. “The addition of the Colonial Homes offers guests an entirely new way to experience that history, while enjoying the comfort, design, and thoughtful amenities that define our property today.”
Guests staying in the Colonial Homes have access to the full suite of amenities at the Dearborn Inn, including two signature dining concepts along with the recently introduced 17,000 square feet of event space and the Inn’s historic gardens and grounds.
The hotel’s redesign features Ford Archives artifacts, historic guest memorabilia, a customized photo booth, and other vintage elements.
Bookings are now open. For more information or to book a stay, visit marriott.com/dtwdk or call 313-271-2700.
