Due to the overwhelming response of the Edison & Ford Winter Estates free admission offer on July 4th to Lee County residents, the Estates has distributed all of the hundreds of tickets available to the public on a first-come-first serve basis.
Site Modified 7/02/09
Hours of Operations
Open year -round (except for Christmas & Thanksgiving) 7 days a week 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. From December 11 through January 2 open till 9 p.m. Extended hours for for special programs and rentals are available. The Estates is located at 2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. For more information call 239-334-7419.
Museum Store, Garden Shoppe, Cottage Shoppe open daily with unique gift and educational items, historic plants propageted from the Estates' plants and other garden items.
Visitors
225,000 visitors per year making it one of the 10 most visited national historic homes in the country.
Tours
Tours daily of the historical site include the homes, museum, laboratory and gardens. The last guided tour departs thru 4 p.m. while self-guided tours run until 5:30 p.m. Botanical tours available on Thursday & Saturday mornings. Group tours and rental arrangements available daily throughout the year.
Memberships
Estates Membership includes various levels and benefits. Members receive free admission and discounts to the Estates as well as to hundreds of other museums, gardens and botanical sites, depending upon membership level.
History
The Edison Estate was deeded to the City of Fort Myers by Mrs. Thomas (Mina) Edison in 1947 and opened to the public later that year. The Ford Estate was purchased by the Estates in 1988 and opened to the public in 1990. A new non-profit corporation operates both properties, which are owned by the City of Fort Myers.
Awards & Recognitions
The National Trust for Historic Preservation for Excellence in Stewardship of Historic Sites, National Register of Historic Places, Save America’s Treasures Project, Restore America, Florida Heritage Landmark, Partner Place for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Award of Merit 2006 Florida Society of Architects, Award of Merit 2006 National Association of Landscape Architects/Florida Division, 2006 Governor’s Hall of Fame Award for Florida Tourism.
Historic Buildings,
Gardens & Grounds
Nine National Register Historic buildings as well as the Botanical and Research Gardens. The historic research and contemporary gardens consist of approximately 20 acres of lush tropical botanical gardens, 500 unique plants, flowers and trees, including 4 champion trees, federal C.I.T.E.S. orchid program and propagation greenhouse and nursery. The Estates are ADA accessible and wheelchairs are available. Parking for 400 vehicles and buses. Food service and picnic areas available.
Estates Museum
15,000 sq. ft. museum with hundreds of Edison and Ford inventions and objects, video theatres, and changing special exhibits.
Events & Programs
Holiday Nights, Festival of Lights, Thomas Edison’s Birthday, Black Maria Film Festival, Antique Car Show, Garden Teas, Lectures, Book Signings, Art at the Estates, Director’s Tours, Wild Wizard Shows and Plant Sales.
Education & Programs
Year round Elderhostel programs, school and group tours, university internships and special projects.
Governing Authority
A non-profit corporation, the Thomas Edison & Henry Ford Winter Estates, Inc. governs Edison & Ford Winter Estates.
This non-profit corporation operates both properties, which are owned by the City of Fort Myers.
The Mission is to protect, preserve and interpret the site for the community and visitors.
Frank Aloia Jr., Frank Balogh, LD Bouchette, Sidney Ann Brinson, Bonnie Burhans, John Cauthen, Kathy Dean, Jeanne Dozier, Dena Geraghty, Honorable Tammy Hall, Helen Hendry, Marietta Mudgett, Steve Niehaus, Margaret Sirianni, Grover Whidden, Colleen DePasquale
Staff
Chris Tenne Pendleton, President & CEO
59 Paid Professional Staff, 125 Volunteers
Operating Budget
$4.2 million from earned revenues, grants, and contributions.
Capital & Restoration Projects
$9 million in capital restoration (City of Fort Myers, Lee County, State of Florida, and private sources).
$400,000 in capital projects to non-historic buildings and grounds.
Plans through 2010
Restoration of Edison Seawall completed Fall 2005
Restoration completed of Edison buildings 2008 Restoration of Ford Buildings completed 2009
Restoration of Edison Laboratory proposed 2009/2010
Master Planning being implemented in phases to include restoration and expansion.
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