Join Friends of Ford House and Save!
An annual Friendship is a great way to enjoy all that Ford House has to offer!
Become a Friend of Ford House and unlock a world of exclusive benefits!
Your support ensures that our mission is served, allowing us to continue offering engaging educational and sustainability programs and growing our public programs to a larger and more diverse community.
Ready to Join?
Start your Friend of Ford House membership today and start enjoying discounts and other benefits. Or scroll down to learn more.
Why Become a Friend?
Complimentary Admission
Enjoy free self-guided access to the House and Grounds Admission and Grounds Admission.
Daily Access
Access the grounds seven days a week from 8 a.m. to sunset.
Access may be limited during select events like Little Goblins, Home for the Holidays, Mutt March, EyesOn Design, etc. See here for specifics.
Walk Your Dog
Walk your dog on the grounds, excluding Bird Island.
Discounted Guided Tours
Receive a 50% discount on all guided tours.
Shopping Savings
Get 20% off at The Shop, featuring unique items and souvenirs.
Dining Discounts
Savor meals with a 20% discount at our dining venues (excluding alcohol).
Additional Information
The discount applies specifically to the number of members included in your Friendship.
For example, if you have an Individual Friendship, the discount applies only to your dining experience. If you have a Dual Friendship, the discount extends to you and one additional guest (a total of two Friends dining together).
Renewal Discount
Save 10% when renewing your Friendship at least 30 days before expiration.
Event Advantages
Get early access, special discounts, and invites to exclusive events—plus enjoy 20% off Home for the Holidays tickets!
Reciprocal Admissions
Access more than 300 gardens nationwide through the American Horticultural Society Reciprocal Admission Program.
Digital Friendship Card
Conveniently access your Friendship via your smartphone’s digital wallet.
Additional Information
Physical Friendship cards are no longer mailed as part of our sustainability initiatives. Friends receive a digital card in their email and can add it to their smartphone’s digital wallet by following these instructions. If you require a physical card, please click here to request one.
Photography Sessions
Enjoy discounts on photography sessions on Ford House grounds.
Volunteer Opportunities
Friends of Ford House will soon have the chance to volunteer on select projects and events! Stay tuned for more details about this exciting new program.
Friends of Ford House Levels
Individual Friendship
Price: $50 per year
Admissions: Complimentary admission for one adult.
Dual Friendship
Price: $75 per year
Admissions: Complimentary admission for two named adults from the same household.
Family
BEST VALUE
Price: $100 per year
Admissions: Complimentary admission for two named adults from the same household, one adult guest, and accompanying children (under 18 years old).
Family Plus
Price: $200 per year
Admissions: Complimentary admission for two named adults from the same household, two adult guests, and accompanying children (under 18 years old).
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 + Reciprocal admission to more than 100 museums through the ROAM program.
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 ROAM program.
Complimentary Annual President’s Club event
1928 Circle
Price: $2,500 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 ROAM program, 20% off Room Rental for Private Events, Private wine reception on the historic core for up to ten guests.
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 & Black Out Dates
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.
January
- First Entry Time: 8:00 a.m.
- Last Entry Time: 4:30 p.m.
Special Event Ground Closures:
- January 1 | New Year’s Day | No Friends Walks are available
- January 20 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | No Friends Walks are available
February
- First Entry Time: 8:00 a.m.
- Last Entry Time: 5:00 p.m.
March
March 1st-8th
- First Entry Time: 8:00 a.m.
- Last Entry Time: 5:30 p.m.
March 9th-31st
- First Entry Time: 8:00 a.m.
- Last Entry Time:6:30 p.m.
April
- First Entry Time: 8:00 a.m.
- Last Entry Time: 7:00 p.m.
May
- First Entry Time: 8:00 a.m.
- Last Entry Time: 7:30 p.m.
Special Event Ground Closures:
- May 17 | Mutt March | Friend Walks are open from 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- May 26 | Memorial Day | No Friends Walks are available
June
- First Entry Time: 8:00 a.m.
- Last Entry Time: 8:00 p.m.
Special Event Ground Closures:
- June 15 | EyesOn Design | No Friends Walks are available
- June 17 | Sigma Gamma | Friends Walks are open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- June 18 | Legacy on the Lake | Friends Walks are open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- June 19 | Juneteenth | No Friends Walks are available
July
- First Entry Time: 8:00 a.m.
- Last Entry Time: 8:00 p.m.
Special Event Ground Closures:
- July 4 | July Fourth | No Friends Walks are available
- July 18 | Outdoor Summer Concert: Dancing Queen – A Salute to ABBA | Friends Walks are open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- July 26 | Lake Fest | Friends Walks are open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
August
- First Entry Time: 8:00 a.m.
- Last Entry Time: 7:30 p.m.
Special Event Ground Closures:
- August 7 | Shakespeare Stroll | Friends Walks are open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- August 15 | Outdoor Summer Concert: Michigan Philharmonic | Friends Walks are open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
September
- First Entry Time: 8:00 a.m.
- Last Entry Time: 6:00 p.m.
Special Event Ground Closures:
- September 1 | Labor Day | No Friends Walks are available
- September 6 | Story Festival | Friends Walks are open from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- September 7 | Pooch Prance | Friends Walks are open from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- September 12 | Outdoor Summer Concert: The Dave Hamilton Band | Friends Walks are open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- September 27 | Harvest Day | No Friends Walks are available
October
- First Entry Time: 8:00 a.m.
- Last Entry Time: 5:30 p.m.
Special Event Ground Closures:
- October 25 | Little Goblins | No Friends Walks are available
November
November 1-21
- First Entry Time: 8:00 a.m.
- Last Entry Time: 4:00 p.m.
November 22-30
- First Entry Time: 8:00 a.m.
- Last Entry Time: 4:00 p.m.
Special Event Ground Closures:
- November 27 | Thanksgiving | No Friends Walks are available
- November 29 | Home for the Holidays Preview | Friends Walks are open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
December
- First Entry Time: 8:00 a.m.
- Last Entry Time: 4:00 p.m.
Special Event Ground Closures:
- Friday, December 5 through Sunday, December 21 (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays) | Home for the Holidays | Friends Walks are open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- December 25 | Christmas | No Friends Walks are available.
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.
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