The history of Northville, Michigan, is alive at the Mill Race Historical Village. Created in 1972 by the Northville Historical Society, the village serves as a focal point for the Northville Community while preserving architectural styles common to the area prior to 1900.

The village was built on 12.5 acres of land donated to the City of Northville by the Ford Motor Company. Once the site of a grist mill, the village consists of an inn, blacksmith shop, school, church, gazebo, rustic wooden bridge, Interurban station and several homes reminiscent of an era gone by.

The Northville Historical Society welcomes you to utilize our Archives for your research. The Archives is open on Thursday and Friday, from 9:00am to 1:00pm, providing there is staff. There is an on-site research fee of $5 per day for all non-Historical Society members. Not all items will be available at all times. Please make an appointment with the Archivist at least two weeks prior to your planned visit. The Archivist, Heidi Nielsen, can be reached at 248-348-1845. You may also make requests via email. The Archivist can perform research for you for a fee of $20 per hour. Please email for details.

Order Mill Race Village merchandise (shirts, sweatshirts, kids’ clothing, hats, mugs, and bags) with many logos to choose from. Your purchase helps support the many projects in the Village.

Whether you're hosting a party, luncheon, business meeting, or even planning your wedding day, Mill Race Village is the perfect setting for your event. No alcoholic beverages are allowed at Mill Race Village.

The Mill Race Historical Village was established in 1972 as a site for relocating buildings faced with demolition. That year the City of Northville donated the New School Church to the Northville Historical Society and it was the first structure moved to this site. The society's focus has been the preservation and display of architectural styles and furnishings of the nineteenth century. The Gazebo and Hirsch Blacksmith Shop are reproduction buildings.