Education
School Tours
School Tours at Ford House
Our school tours and programs are aligned with state learning standards and designed to enrich a wide range of classroom subjects. Schools can choose from guided tours, themed scavenger hunts, or self-guided experiences.
Guided tours are led by our knowledgeable Tour and Education staff, with outlines provided below. Group rates apply to school groups of 20 or more individuals.
To begin planning your visit, please browse our selection of tour options below. If you’re planning a visit for adult or family groups, please explore our Group Tours information page.
School Tour Policies
- There must be one chaperone for every 10 students; these tickets are free. Groups will not be permitted entry without the appropriate number of chaperones. Additional chaperones will be charged $10 per person. Maximum number of chaperones will not exceed one per five students.
- Guided tours and programs must be scheduled at least three weeks in advance.
- Payment is due two weeks prior to your trip.
- Ford House does not have a lunchroom; there may be limited seating available in our rental spaces, or outdoors at our picnic area.
Offerings
Self-Guided Visits
Recommended for all grades levels
Some students thrive when they can explore at their own pace, making a self-guided visit an excellent option. You know your students best—feel free to lead them through the main residence, grounds, and outbuildings in a way that supports your teaching goals and schedule.
Additional Details
Length: we estimate your students will need 60-90 minutes on the estate
- Tour times: Year-round, Tuesday – Friday, 10am-4pm
- Capacity: 125 students* per field trip
- Cost: $5 per student*
*Note: One teacher/chaperone is required for every 10 students and is free!
Scavenger Hunt Experience
Recommended for all grades levels
Educators are invited to guide their students through our exhibits, historic buildings, and the estate’s natural wonders at their own pace with this self-guided tour. A scavenger hunt adds an extra layer of fun, as teachers and chaperones work with small groups to spark curiosity and encourage active exploration of all that Ford House has to offer.
Additional Details
Length: we estimate your students will need 60-90 minutes on the estate
- Tour times: Year-round, Tuesday – Friday, 10am-4pm
- Capacity: 125 students* per field trip
- Cost: $6 per student*
*Note: One teacher/chaperone is required for every 10 students and is free!
Birds of Ford House: Sights & Sounds
Recommended for 2nd—4th Grade
Edsel Ford was an avid bird lover—he even created a bird sanctuary right in his own backyard! Discover how birds communicate and how to identify different species through a fun, interactive game. Then, head out to explore our newly revitalized habitats of Bird Island, Ford Cove, and the wetland to see which feathered friends students can spot.
Additional Details
Length: 90 minutes
- Tour times: April – November, Tuesday – Friday, 10am-4pm
- Capacity: 65 students* per field trip (minimum 20 students)
- Cost: $7 per student*
*Note: One teacher/chaperone is required for every 10 students and is free!
What’s For Dinner?
Recommended for 4th—7th Grade
From the marshy wetland to the forest floor and the shores of Ford Cove and Lake St. Clair, students will explore the connections between organisms of all sizes – from microscopic life to apex predators. Students will learn how we’ve restored the shoreline to support a thriving, more diverse ecosystem. The experience culminates with an exciting owl pellet dissection, offering a hands-on look at the food web in action.
Additional Details
Length: 90 minutes
- Tour times: April – November, Tuesday – Friday, 10am-4pm
- Capacity: 65 students* per field trip (minimum 20 students)
- Cost: $7 per student*
*Note: One teacher/chaperone is required for every 10 students and is free!
Home Sweet Home
Recommended for PreK—1st Grade
Join us as we explore what living things need to survive—food, water, shelter, and space! Students will learn through fun storytelling, hands-on activities, and an exciting outdoor adventure around Ford Cove and the wetland.
Additional Details
Length: 60-90 minutes
- Tour times: April – November, Tuesday – Friday, 10am-4pm
- Capacity: 65 students* per field trip (minimum 20)
- Cost: $7 per student*
*Note: One teacher/chaperone is required for every 10 students and is free!
Everyday Design
Recommended for 2nd—6th Grade
Edsel and Eleanor Ford filled their home with creativity! On this tour, students will explore the elements of art—like line, shape, color, and texture—while discovering how they appear in the design of the house, the artwork inside, and even the classic cars in the garage. It’s a fun and inspiring way to see art in everyday life!
Additional Details
Length: 60-90 minutes
- Tour times: Year-round, Tuesday – Friday, 10am-4pm
- Capacity: 65 students* per field trip (minimum 20)
- Cost: $7 per student*
*Note: One teacher/chaperone is required for every 10 students and is free!
Step Into the Past: A Ford House Tour
Recommended for grades 3rd-12th
Bring your students on a one-hour guided tour of the historic home of Edsel and Eleanor Ford. This engaging experience offers insight into the Ford family’s lives and the thoughtful design behind a home that balanced style, function, and family life. Led by our knowledgeable educators, your students will explore a remarkable residence that reflects American innovation and cultural heritage.
Additional Details
Length: 60 minutes
- Tour times: Year-round, Tuesday – Friday, 10am-4pm
- Capacity: 60 students* per field trip (minimum 20)
- Cost: $7 per student*
*Note: One teacher/chaperone is required for every 10 students and is free!
Inside & Out: Exploring the Ford House Estate (Seasonal)
Recommended for grades 3rd-12th
Introduce your students to the world of Edsel and Eleanor Ford through this guided tour of their historic estate. In this 90-minute experience, students will step inside the beautifully designed main residence and discover how the Fords created a home that blended innovation, style, and family life. The tour also includes a visit to the gardens, Josephine’s playhouse, the recreation building, and the garage—where students will get a glimpse of the family’s classic cars. Led by our expert educators, this tour offers a unique look at American history, design, and daily life in a truly inspiring setting.
Additional Details
Length: 90 minutes
- Tour times: April 1st – November 15th, Tuesday – Friday, 10am-4pm
- Capacity: 100 students* per field trip (minimum 20)
- Cost: $8 per student*
*Note: One teacher/chaperone is required for every 10 students and is free!
On the Go: Vehicles, Community Helpers & Safety
Recommended for PreK – 1st Grade
* Book now for Spring 2027 * During this hands-on, station-based field trip, young learners will explore how people and vehicles help our community move, stay safe, and work together. Through sorting games, map play, and close-up observations of classic vehicles, children will practice reading traffic signals, crossing safely, and naming the community helpers who keep our neighborhoods safe. Available beginning March 2, 2027
Additional Details
Length: 60-90 minutes
- Tour times:Year-round, Tuesday – Friday, 10am-4pm
- Capacity: 35 students* per field trip
- Cost:$7 per student*
*Note: One teacher/chaperone is required for every 10 students and is free!
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