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)

Edison & Ford Winter Estates Programs - September 20= 09

Fort Myers, Florida (August 18, 2009) – September = at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates is highlighted with the return of the = Estates Home School Program, the Contra Dance celebrating the Esta= tes newest exhibit, Music, Movies & Dance with Edison & Ford, Sneak Peak Tours, and Hospitality Days for the Estates hotel partners employees as well as a variety of other sp= ecial programs throughout the month of September. The September schedule of programs and events include:

Sneak Peek Tours for Estates Members ONLY, 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.

Contra Dance Celebrating Exhibit Opening: “Music, Movies, & Dance with Edison & Ford” September 20, 2 PM (instruction at 2 PM & 3:30 PM)

Join the Estates as they celebrate their newest exhibit, “Music, Movies, &= amp; Dance with Edison & Ford,” with Contra dancing in the Estates Museum. Lessons in Contra dancing will be = at 2 PM and 3:30 PM in the Estates main exhibit hall. Henry and Clara Ford enjoyed danci= ng and hosted dances in their Fort My= ers home. Contra dance is for young and old, beginner and expert, singles and partners. All Contra dances a= re explained and “walked through” by a Caller before they are danced. Cost: Estates members are FREE; non memb= ers, adults $12, children $6. Cost includ= es dance instruction, refreshments and tour of the Lab and Museum.

New Volunteer Orientation, September 15, 10 AM<= /span>

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. =

Home Schoolers: “Hands On Lab”,<= span style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New= Roman"'> September 18, 1pm – 3pm=

Thomas Edison’s Fort Myers home was the site of his research lab and gardens. Home schoolers will = learn about Edison’s quest for rubber wh= ile performing hands-on botanical experiments.   Curriculum follows the Flori= da Sunshine objectives for learning. The program follows the Lee County mandated pro= gram and addresses environmental science, history and reading SOLS. Pre-visit curriculum materials wil= l be mailed to registered families. Registration required. Estates members $5; non members $15 (one adul= t, one child) additional $5 per child.

Hospitality Days for Hotel Par= tner Staff, September 20, 21, 22, 9 AM &= #8211; 4 PM

The Estates is offering free admission to any Lee County hotel partner employee and a guest with specialty designed tours at 11 AM and 1 PM. Free admission includes a tour of = the historic homes, botanical gardens, Estates Museum and Edison B= otanic Research Lab. Hotel staff emp= loyees must produce a valid employee name badge to receive free admission.

Docent Training= , September 24, 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, September 26, 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 object= s. The Southwest Florida Quilter̵= 7;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.

Estates at Downto= wn Farmers’ Market,   Thursdays, 7 AM – 1 PM<= o:p>

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. The Estates will offer herbs, heri= tage plants, garden supplies, and garden items available for purchase. Estates members will receive a 10% discount. <= /p>

The= Estates is open daily from 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. The Estates was awarded the Nation= al Trust for Historic Preservation Award in 2008 and is an official project of “Save America’s Treasures” at the National Trust for Hist= oric 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.

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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.