Edison & Ford Winter Estates

2350 McGregor Boulevard

Fort Myers, FL 33901=

239-334-= 7419

www.efwefla.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Chris Pendleton, President & CEO

Lisa Sbuttoni, PR Manager (239-334-7419)

Pho= to Attachments: Historic Banyan = Trees will be available at the Downtown Farmers’ Market; Free Teachers Day<= o:p>

Edison & Ford Winter Estates Programs - August 2009<= o:p>

Fort Myers, Florida (July 20, 2009) – August at the Edison & Ford Winter Es= tates is highlighted with a Free Teacher= s Day, Sneak Peak Tours for Estate Members and the Estates Inventor’s Summer Camp as well as a variety of ot= her special programs throughout the month of August. The August schedule of programs and events include:

Sneak Peek Tours for Estates Members ONLY, August 15, 29, September 19,= 26, 10:30 AM

This summer the Estates is offering a NEW first time, behind-the-scenes tours inside the Edison and Ford homes by the Estates President & CEO, Chris Pendleton and the Estates Curator, Pamela Miner. These unique tou= rs are offered at no cost to Estates members only. In addition lunch will be served i= n the Edison Caretaker’s House following the tour for $15 per person. Due to the intimate nature of “Sneak Peek Tours,” space is limited and registration is required. To become an Estates member call the Estates Membership office at 239-334-7419, to receive free admission to the Estates and hundreds of museums and gardens throughout the= United States, discounts and an inside look into the homes of two of the nations greatest inventors and their families.

NEW Exhibit Opening: “Music, Movies, & Dance with Edison &= amp; Ford” August 2009

Opening in August, this special exhibit focuses on the interests and inventions of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford related to music, dance and the movies. The exhibit will include a collect= ion of phonographs, projectors and other artifacts connected to sound, music and t= he movies. The exhibit will also include viewing of early Edison silent films, performances of period music = on the Edison piano and other related program activities throughout the year. The exhibit is free with any paid Estates admission and Estates Members are FRE= E.

Estates Inventor’s Summer Camp – Programs for grades 1st – 3^rd and 4^th – 6^th

Space Still Available

Registration is still open for summer camp at the Estates for a one of a kind experience, discovering, learning, inventing and creating to make learning fun.

All camp sessions will be held in the historic Edison Caretaker’s House (air-conditioned) although some of the activities will be held in the Estat= es outdoor program buildings. Camp sessions begin at 9:00 am and end at either 3:00 p.m. or 4 p.m. depending on the session. Cost for each camp session is $200 for Estates Members; $230 for non-members. Registration is required. To register call the Estates Educa= tion Department at 239-334-7419.

· = Session 8: “Spaceships & Rockets= 221; August 3 – 7; Grades 1^st – 3^rd=

Campers will explore the outer reaches of the universe with our resident spaceman.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Visit planets, collect samples, fl= oat on our Lunar Lander and much more during this five day adventure.

· = Session 9:= “Movie Making Magic” August 10 – 14; Grades 4^=
th – 6^th

Campers will act, direct, operate cameras and build sets as they become fully immer= sed in the art of film making.

Campers will explore the power of sound energy as they learn the genius of Thomas Edison and his phonograph.

Mini Inventors Club, Session 1: August 10 & 11; Session 2: August 12 & 13; for incoming P= re-K and Kindergarteners; 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Learning while having fun, little campers (accompanied by an adult), will make new friends as they discover and explore the Edison and Ford homes, gardens, lab and Museum; participate in science and art activities and enjoy story-time = with Mr.& Mrs. Edison. Registr= ation required. Estates Members $10= ; non members $25 (includes one adult and one child, additional children $5).

New Volunteer Orientation, August 11, 10 AM

Join Estates staff to learn about volunteer opportunitie= s, Estates policies and general Museum information. This is a mandatory training for a= ll new Estates volunteers but potential volunteers are welcome. =

Estates Volunteer Summer Event= , August 13, 2 PM

Estates volunteers are invited= to a special preview of the newest Estates exhibit “Music, Movies & Da= nce with the Edisons and Fords.” The event will include a musical performance on the antique Edison piano by Bob Willover accompanied by a sing-= a-long. Refreshments will be served. Registration is required.

Docent Training= , August 20, 9 AM

New Estates volunteers who are interested in becoming Edison & Ford porch, Lab and Museum docents, or leading a group tour of the Estates grounds must attend this mandatory meet= ing.

Quilting Demonstration, August 22, 10 AM – 1 PM

Quilter’s from the Southwest Florida Quilter’s Guild will be demonstrating quil= ting techniques in the Edison Caretaker’s House. Members of the Guild will= be available to answer questions on techniques and care. In the early 1900’s He= nry Ford collected, celebrated and displayed quilts and other historical objects. The Southwest Florida Quilter’s Guild presented the Estates with a replica Ford Collection Quilt that is on exhibit in the Estates Museum. Demonstration is FREE with purchas= e of Estates Home and Garden Tour ticket.

Free Day for Educators, School Staff & their familie= s, August 22, Tours at 10 AM a= nd Noon

Teachers, school staff and their families who visit the Estates receive free admission all day.&nb= sp; Estates educational materials will be available for use in classroom= curriculums. Educators and school staff must pr= esent a school issued identification badge to receive free admission. Tours designed for educators are a= t 10 AM and Noon and registration is required. To register call the Estates Educ= ation Department at 239-334-7419. <= o:p>

Summer Discounts for Florida Residents and Seniors in August

The Estates is offering significant discounts for Florida residents and seniors (55+). = Florida resident= s will receive $5 off a Estates tour ticket which includes the historic homes, gardens, Museum and Lab. Seni= ors will receive a 50% discount off admission between the hours of 9 AM and 10 = AM.

Estates at Downto= wn Farmers’ Market, Every Thursday beginning August 6, = 7 AM – 1 PM

The Estates Garden Shoppe will be participating in the Downtown Farmers’ Market located = in the Centennial Park parking lot. The Estates joins fruit, vegetable= , and fresh flower vendors in this 14 year tradition.&= nbsp; The Estates will offer herbs, heritage plants, garden supplies, and garden items available for purchase. Estates members will receive a 10% discount.

Become a Fan on Facebook

The Estates has joined Facebook! You must hav= e a Facebook account to become a fan. Simply login and search for the Edison & Ford Winter Estates, cl= ick “become a fan” at the top of the page and you will receive upda= tes on Estates events and programs.

The= Estates is open daily from 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. The Estates was awarded the 2009 N= ational Trust for Historic Preservation Award and is an official project of “= Save America’s Treasures” at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a Florida Historic Landmark and a National Register Historic Site. For additional informat= ion call 239-334-7419 or visit the web site at www.efwefla.org.

# # #

The Es= tates has received grants from the Historical Museums Grants-in-Aid Program throu= gh the Bureau of Historical Museums, Division of Natural Resources, Florida Department of State and Secretary of State and the <= st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Lee County Tourist Development Council.