The Estate Is Yours. All Year Long.
Friends of Ford House
Unlimited access to the house, grounds, and more — starting at just $50 a year.
Friends of Ford House Friendship is your all-access pass to one of Michigan’s most beloved historic estates. Walk the lakeside grounds every morning. Bring the family for a self-guided visit any time. Dine at The Continental with a standing discount. And know that your support helps keep this place alive and open for everyone.
Here’s everything that comes with your Friendship!
The Math Works in Your Favor
A Ford House Friendship isn’t just a membership. It’s one of the best-value decisions you can make if you love this place.
| Friendship | Annual Cost | Break-Even |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | $50 | 4 visits |
| Dual | $75 | 3 visits together |
| Family | $100 | 2 family outings |
Non-member House + Grounds admission is $15 per adult and $7.50 per child (ages 3–17).
Visit just a handful of times and your Friendship has already covered itself. Every walk after that, every tour discount, every morning on the grounds — included.
Why Become a Friend?
Core Benefits
Complimentary Admission
Your Friendship covers complimentary self-guided House + Grounds Admission and Grounds Admission, every time you visit.
Non-member admission is $15 per adult. Visit four times and your Individual Friendship has already paid for itself.
Bring Your Dog. Really!
Friends are welcome to walk their dogs on the estate grounds, seven days a week.
Dogs are not permitted inside any buildings or on Bird Island. Properly trained service animals, as defined by the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) as dogs individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities, are welcome on the property.
Dining Discount
Friends receive 20% off dining at The Continental on every visit.
First in Line for What's Coming
Friends receive advance notice and early ticket access on most Ford House events.
Some of our most popular events sell out fast! Your Friendship moves you to the front.
Additional Perks
Every Morning Is Yours
Friends access the grounds seven days a week from 8 a.m. to sunset, ahead of general visitors.
Hours may be limited on select event dates. See below.
50% Off All Guided Tours
Explore the house with an expert at half price.
Ford House offers a range of guided tour experiences, from the main residence to behind-the-scenes preservation tours.
20% Off at The Shop
Friends save 20% on everything at The Shop, including gifts, books, and locally inspired merchandise.
Save When You Renew
Renew your Friendship at least 30 days before it expires and save 10%.
Smaller Text: Friendships expire one year from the end of the month of purchase.
300+ Gardens Nationwide
Your Friendship unlocks complimentary or discounted admission to more than 300 gardens across the country.
Access is provided through the American Horticultural Society Reciprocal Admission Program.
Your Friendship, On Your Phone
Your digital Friendship card lives in your smartphone’s digital wallet, so it’s always with you.
Physical cards are available upon request as part of our sustainability commitment.
Discounts on Photography Sessions
Friends receive discounts on personal photography sessions on the Ford House grounds.
Get Involved
Friends of Ford House will soon have opportunities to volunteer on select projects and events.
Stay tuned for details on this new program.
Ready to Join?
Whether you come for the morning walks, the house, the dining, or the dog-friendly grounds, a Friendship makes every visit better. Join today.
Friends of Ford House Levels
Individual Friendship
Admissions: Complimentary admission for one adult.
Pays for itself in just 4 visits.
Dual Friendship
Best for: Couples or two adults from the same household
Admissions: Complimentary admission for two named adults from the same household.
Family
BEST VALUE
Admissions: Complimentary admission for two named adults from the same household, one adult guest, and accompanying children (under 18 years old).
Family Plus
Admissions: Complimentary admission for two named adults from the same household, two adult guests, and accompanying children (under 18 years old).
Bring more people to the places you love.
Fan Friendship
Price: $400 per year
Admissions: Complimentary admission for two named adults from the same household, four adult guests, and accompanying children (under 18 years old).
Additional Perks: Complimentary Ford House gift when joining, plus reciprocal admission to more than 100 museums through the Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums (ROAM) Reciprocal Membership Program.
For those who can’t get enough of Ford House.
President's Club
Price: $1,250 per year
Admissions: Complimentary admission for two named adults from the same household, four adult guests, and accompanying children (under 18 years old).
Additional Perks: Complimentary Ford House gift when joining, reciprocal admission to more than 100 museums through the Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums (ROAM) Reciprocal Membership Program, and complimentary annual President’s Club event.
Your support helps keep this place alive for everyone.
1928 Circle
Admissions: Complimentary admission for two named adults from the same household, four adult guests, and accompanying children (under 18 years old).
Additional Perks: Complimentary Ford House gift when joining, reciprocal admission to more than 100 museums through the ROAM program, 20% off room rental for private events, and a private wine reception on the historic core for up to ten guests.
Named for the year this estate became a home. Your generosity helps ensure it remains one.
Purchase or Renew Your Friendship
Friendships expire after one year, at the end of the month of purchase. For example, if you purchased your Friendship on April 1, 2024, your Friendship will expire on April 30, 2025. Click below to purchase, renew, or gift a Friendship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are several “How To” tutorials as you navigate our Friendship portal. For questions about Friends of Ford House, please contact friendship@fordhouse.org or call 313-884-4222.
Friend Walks
Friends of Ford House are invited to enjoy daily access to the grounds, seven days a week, from 8 a.m. until sunset. Please note that some dates may be unavailable or have shortened hours for Friends Walks due to estate programming.
Hours & Special Closures
Below are the first and last entry times for walks on the grounds. Once you have entered the estate, you may walk down the grounds until sunset.
| Month | Last Entry | Special Closures & Modified Hours |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4:30 p.m. |
January 1 | New Year's Day | No Friends Walks January 20 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | No Friends Walks |
| February | 5:00 p.m. | |
| March | 5:30 p.m./6 p.m. |
March 1–8: 5:30 p.m. March 9–31: 6:30 p.m. |
| April | 7:00 p.m. | |
| May | 7:30 p.m. | May 26 | Memorial Day | No Friends Walks |
| June | 8:00 p.m. |
June 15 | EyesOn Design | No Friends Walks June 19 | Juneteenth | No Friends Walks |
| July | 8:00 p.m. |
July 4 | July Fourth | No Friends Walks July 10 | Outdoor Summer Concert| Open 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. July 26 | Lake Fest | Open 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. |
| August | 7:30 p.m. |
August 7 | Shakespeare Stroll | Open 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. August 15 | Outdoor Summer Concert: Michigan Philharmonic | Open 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. |
| September | 6:00 p.m. |
September 1 | Labor Day | No Friends Walks September 6 | Story Festival | Open 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. September 7 | Pooch Prance | Open 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. September 12 | Outdoor Summer Concert: The Dave Hamilton Band | Open 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. September 27 | Harvest Day | No Friends Walks |
| October | 5:30 p.m. | October 25 | Little Goblins | No Friends Walks |
| November | 4 p.m. |
November 27 | Thanksgiving | No Friends Walks November 28–29 | Home for the Holidays | Open 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. |
| December | 4 p.m. |
Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays, December 4–20 | Home for the Holidays | Open 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. December 25 | Christmas | No Friends Walks |
Is my friendship tax-deductible?
Friendships at Ford House are not considered tax-deductible donations. When you become a Friend, you receive tangible benefits such as complimentary admission, special discounts, and exclusive access to events and programs. Because these benefits carry a fair market value, the IRS does not recognize your Friendship as a charitable gift.
Stay in Touch
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