Bye Bye Gray Skies, Ford House Anticipates Spring Events

Maple Syrup: Tapped, Shaken, and Served

On Thursday, March 9, visitors can enjoy Maple Syrup: Tapped, Shaken, and Served, a special event where guests will learn about maple tapping and indulge in a delicious maple-themed cocktail! Join us at Ford House to learn about the start-to-finish process of making maple syrup. Guests learn techniques to identify appropriate trees for tapping and enjoy a short walk to our “sugar bush” for a tapping demonstration, along with a discussion on the process and history of making maple syrup. Afterward, gather at our wood-fired maple syrup evaporator for syrup tastings and maple syrup-themed cocktails.

Bird Walk

On March 19, visitors can enjoy our Bird Walk where guests explore the grounds with experts Rosann Kolvacik, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited Grosse Pointe, and Bill Rapai, President of Grosse Pointe Audubon. After the walk, enjoy a cup of coffee or tea while you discuss the birds seen. Guests can enjoy the Bird Walk on April 2 as well as May 2, 3, 4, and 5.

Spring Tea & Tour

Also on March 19, as well as March 23, Ford House invites guests to its Spring Tea & Tour where visitors enjoy an elegant tea service with small bites and sweets in the beautiful Lake Shore Room overlooking Ford Cove and Lake St. Clair followed by a self-guided tour of the home. At each of the two Spring Tea & Tours, The Peacock Room will have a pop-up shop set up for you to browse and purchase from their incredible collections.

Ballroom Dance: Tango

April 6 invites guests to join our four-week Ballroom Dance: Tango dance class, in honor of Eleanor and Edsel Ford meeting at a dance class in their youth. In week one, learn leading and following basics. Week two introduces turns and rotations. Week three teaches attendees how to use the music and week four concludes with learning to combine patterns. Dance instructors Louis and Lauren Johnson are professional Ballroom dance instructors with 15 years of teaching experience.

Botany & Brews

Botany & Brews is a new members-only event where guests learn about the native flora on the estate from our Landscapes team. Enjoy a cold beer while learning about the care and cultivation of native plants at Gaukler Pointe. This special program takes place on May 10 and 17. Learn more and become a member today!

Paint Out! and Fresh Paint Party

A community favorite, Paint Out takes place on May 20. Guests bring art supplies and paint on the grounds at Ford House for the day. All skill levels are welcome for this program, but only framed artwork can be entered for the juried prize. Prizes will be given to the first ($1,000), second ($500), and third-place winners ($250). Each artist may submit two (2) framed artworks for the juried prize. Tickets for Paint Out include free admission to the Fresh Paint Party at the end of the day and one drink ticket. Even if you don’t or aren’t interested in painting, you can join the party, see the works, and enjoy refreshments.

Preservation Tour

On May 22, visitors join Director of Preservation Rebecca Torsell for an exclusive, members-only Preservation Tour where you’ll learn about our ongoing preservation projects and the unique details and intense care that goes into completing them.

Education Programs

Plus Education programs for children, like Storytime and Explorers, and adult programs like Maker Studio and more are offered on select dates throughout the season!

New Exhibit Opening

Perhaps our most anticipated exhibit, Ford House invites visitors to experience Making It Work, opening June 1. Making It Work is a new exhibition chronicling the lives and labors of the staff that helped make Ford House a warm and wonderful family home for Edsel, Eleanor, their children, and their extended family. Guests will learn about individual staff, their stories, and what life was like during the family’s nearly fifty-year residency. More details coming soon.

Plus more programs and events!

And that’s not all! Stay tuned for more and more exciting programs and events. If an event isn’t on sale yet, check back soon.

The Continental

Of course, no visit to Ford House is complete without enjoying a meal lakeside at our acclaimed restaurant, The Continental. Chef Jeremy Robertson creates seasonal menus that offer “comfort food, elevated.” Or swing by The Speedster, our grab-and-go option for visitors on the move. Reservations for The Continental are highly recommended!

The Shop

While at the estate, swing into The Shop to purchase gifts, books, jewelry, and much more. You can also follow The Shop on Instagram to see new products and store highlights.

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