George Lee Ellis Butterfly House

A living tribute to a beloved life

George Lee Ellis Butterfly House

The George Lee Ellis Butterfly House is an enclosed habitat tucked behind the Tribute Garden, between the Administration Building and the Wooded Wetland & Boardwalk. Live butterflies inhabit the space each spring and summer, landing on hands, hovering over blooms, and moving through planted beds of color. The space is open year-round, and worth a visit in every season.

In 2025, the Ellis Family expanded and rededicated the butterfly house in memory of George Lee Ellis, whose family has long supported Ford House. The renovation grew the habitat significantly and added a bench handcrafted from a 100-year-old elm tree that once stood on the property. It is a place designed for quiet, and for staying a while.

The butterfly house sits along a natural path between the Tribute Garden and the Wooded Wetland & Boardwalk, making it a natural stop on any walk through the estate’s grounds. Butterflies are present in spring and summer. The garden beds and the bench are there in every season.

Admission is included with any Grounds or House + Grounds ticket.

Three children stand in front of the entrance sign for the George Lee Ellis Butterfly House at Ford House. The sign bears the Ford House emblem and the full name of the space. The black metal and mesh enclosure structure is visible behind them, surrounded by native plantings.
The entrance to the George Lee Ellis Butterfly House, expanded and rededicated in 2025 through a gift from the Ellis Family.
Inside the George Lee Ellis Butterfly House at Ford House, a young girl examines something small in her hands with an adult beside her. Two Ford House staff members stand nearby on the flagstone path, surrounded by planted beds of colorful flowers including red, white, and yellow blooms. The black mesh enclosure frames a view of the wooded grounds beyond.
Ford House staff inside the George Lee Ellis Butterfly House, where planted beds support butterflies throughout the spring and summer season.
Two young girls crouch on a flagstone path inside the George Lee Ellis Butterfly House at Ford House, looking closely at butterflies resting on the stone. Flowering plants including cleome and red blooms fill the garden beds around them. An adult stands behind them. The black mesh enclosure and wooded grounds are visible in the background.
Butterflies land on the flagstone paths inside the George Lee Ellis Butterfly House, where children can observe them up close during the spring and summer season.
Plan Your Visit

Take a tour and see the estate for yourself.

Ford House Tour

Friends of Ford House

Joining Has Its Perks!

An annual Friends of Ford House membership is a great way to enjoy all that Ford House has to offer! Enjoy discounted tickets, pre-sale access, exclusive events, discounts on dining and shopping, and more.

Become A Friend of Ford House

Search Ford House

Today at Ford House

The House
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
The Grounds
8 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
The Continental
11 a.m.–3 p.m. & 4–8 p.m.
We will email you the moment tickets go on sale, plus a reminder three days before. Signing up also adds your email to the Ford House mailing list, so you may hear from us about other events and news. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Ford House and The Continental will remain closed on Friday, July 17

out of an abundance of caution due to air quality from Canadian wildfires currently affecting Southeast Michigan.

Guests with tickets or reservations will be contacted directly by our Visitor Experience team. Thank you for your understanding. The health and safety of our visitors, staff, and volunteers comes first.

We will resume normal operations tomorrow, Saturday, July 18.

CLOSE