Ford House Is Blooming with Events and Experiences This Spring
GROSSE POINTE SHORES, MI (April 19, 2023) – The gardens are blooming, and guests can enjoy several exciting events and experiences at the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House this spring.
In May, visitors are welcome to participate in Bird Walks, May 2 through 7, while children can engage in the outdoor Explorers program, May 13, learning about the birds that make Ford House home.
In celebration of Mother’s Day, The Continental at Ford House is hosting a Mother’s Day Brunch on May 14, with seatings at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. This special brunch is in the Lake Shore Room, with breathtaking views of Ford Cove and Lake St. Clair. The Mother’s Day Brunch features a Bubble Bar, Chef-made omelets, pancakes, and much more. Each mother will be gifted a lovely spring bloom keepsake.
With May being National Preservation Month, Ford House offers several lectures, tours, and workshops that celebrate the incredibly detailed work done by preservationists. On May 6, guests can take The Basics of Ornamental Plasterwork Workshop, learning how our master craftspeople restore ornamental plaster. Guests may also enjoy History and Preservation: Wood Flooring in Historic Buildings on May 11, Historic Wood Window Restoration for Homeowners Workshop on May 13, and An Introduction to Historic Masonry on May 18. Ford House members can enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes look into the preservation of Ford House on May 22 with a first-hand, guided tour by Director of Preservation Rebecca Torsell.
Paint Out takes place on Saturday, May 20, and painters, regardless of experience, are invited to create art from 8 a.m. through 3 p.m. on the Ford House grounds. The day will conclude with the Fresh Paint Party, a reception where visitors can meet the local artists, see the juror’s awards, and enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a drink.
On June 1, Ford House opens its newest exhibition, Making It Work, chronicling the lives and labors of the staff that made Ford House a home. Guests will learn about the various staff, their families, and how their work on the estate impacted their lives. This exhibition is located in the Gaukler Gallery inside the Visitor Center and is open to the public without admission. In support of the new exhibition, Director of Material Culture Lisa E. Worley will give a talk on June 8 about the staff and explore what it took for a large staff to run the estate and support the Ford family. Throughout June, guests can take the Making It Work tour, exploring the home’s dedicated staff spaces that were previously unavailable to the public.
To celebrate Eleanor Ford’s birthday, Ford House invites guests to Eleanor’s Birthday Tea and Tour on June 4, with service at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. At each tea service, the Peacock Room, one of Detroit’s most popular women’s apparel and accessories stores, will host a pop-up shop in The Cove, outside of the Lake Shore Room in the Visitor Center.
On Father’s Day, June 18, hundreds of car enthusiasts will flock to the Ford House grounds for EyesOn Design at Ford House. Unlike other car shows, judging is predominately conducted by automotive designers using professional design criteria, not based on restoration or authenticity. The event attracts some of the world’s leading designers, collectors, and fans for an unpretentious and unmatched day. EyesOn Design at Ford House has raised millions to support the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology (DIO). The DIO, a Henry Ford Health Department of Ophthalmology division, support the visually impaired and organizes groundbreaking eye research conferences.
Ford House rounds out its June with the first of its Concerts on the Lake on June 30 with The Docksiders. Fresh from their Las Vegas residency, The Docksiders are composed of music industry veterans – led by 3-time Grammy™ nominee Kevin Sucher. Their unique tribute act of your favorite “soft rock” songs of the 70s and 80s – now defined as Yacht Rock – has entertained thousands of people for years, and the revival of this genre and audiences are only getting bigger. Show-stopping hit song after hit song, costume changes, and production are only topped by their world-class performance.
For a complete list of events and experiences, including more classes, dining, tours, and shopping, visit www.fordhouse.org or call 313-884-4222. Ticket prices vary by event and sell out quickly. Members get pre-sale access to most events and programs. Becoming a Ford House member is quick and easy and can be done on the organization’s website.
About Ford House
Edsel & Eleanor Ford House is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization and National Historic Landmark dedicated to preserving and sharing the legacy of the Ford Family. Ford House is located at 1100 Lake Shore Rd. in Grosse Pointe Shores. The historic lakeside estate was the family home of Edsel Ford – Henry and Clara Ford’s only son – where he lived with his wife Eleanor and their children beginning in 1928. Since 1978, Ford House has welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors to share in Eleanor Ford’s vision of preserving the estate for future generations to enjoy through interpretive tours, family activities, lectures, exhibits, gardens, and grounds events. It inspires, educates, and engages visitors by exploring its unique connections to art, design, history, and the environment while celebrating family traditions and community relationships. For more information, visit www.fordhouse.org or call (313) 884- 4222, and connect with the Ford House on Facebook and Instagram.