Partnering with the Michigan Humane, we aim to support their noble cause with 40% of ticket sales benefiting their efforts.

“We’re thrilled to expand our relationship with Michigan Humane,” says Director of Visitor Experience Amanda Rutland. “Having supported their Mutt March for years, this event is a wonderful opportunity to further our shared commitment to animal welfare and community engagement while also welcoming new guests to Ford House.”

You may even get a chance to meet Moss the Goose Dog, Ford House’s very own Border Collie. Moss has been an integral part of the estate for seven years, expertly keeping the estate pristine by herding away Canada geese. His dedication and friendly presence make him a beloved team member at Ford House.

Please note that dogs must always be on a 6’ leash and are not permitted on Bird Island or inside buildings.

Admission is free for Friends of Ford House members. Public tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 4 to 12 (children under three are free with the purchase of an adult ticket).

Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased online at www.fordhouse.org or by phone at 313-884-4222.

Ford House is grateful to its annual sponsors, including Ford Philanthropy, Northern Trust, Bodman PLC, Henry Ford Health, D Land Group Property Management, Frank Rewold & Sons, Brown & Brown/Philadelphia Insurance, Grunwell Cashero, Saros Real Estate Services, Event Theory, PGS Dentistry/Growing Smiles.

At the heart of EyesOn Design lies a celebration of automotive design, where vehicle owners proudly showcase their rolling masterpieces to the world. What sets EyesOn Design apart from traditional concours d’elegance events is its emphasis on design excellence over mere restoration or authenticity. Here, judging is conducted by automotive designers, who meticulously evaluate each vehicle based on professional design criteria.

The allure of EyesOn Design extends far beyond its competitive aspect. It serves as a gathering ground for some of the industry’s most esteemed designers, collectors, and enthusiasts, fostering an atmosphere that is both welcoming and unparalleled in its authenticity. Unlike many automotive gatherings, EyesOn Design maintains an unpretentious vibe, where admiration for automotive artistry reigns supreme.

Yet, there’s more to EyesOn Design than just a celebration of cars. Since its inception, the event has been a beacon of philanthropy, raising millions of dollars to support the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology (DIO). As a division of the Henry Ford Health Department of Ophthalmology, the DIO plays a pivotal role in aiding the visually impaired and spearheading groundbreaking eye research conferences.

Through the synergy of automotive passion and charitable giving, EyesOn Design transcends the realm of mere car shows, evolving into a transformative experience that leaves an indelible mark on its attendees and the community it serves. Each vehicle on display becomes not just a work of art but also a vehicle for change, driving progress in the realm of eye health and beyond.

In essence, EyesOn Design encapsulates the spirit of automotive culture: a harmonious blend of innovation, creativity, and philanthropy. As car enthusiasts converge amidst the lush landscapes of the Edsel and Eleanor Ford estate, they do more than admire sleek lines and polished chrome—they contribute to a noble cause that extends far beyond the horizon of automotive design.

Since 1989, Mutt March has served as Michigan Humane’s annual fundraising walk, celebrating people and their dogs on the grounds of Ford House. In 2023 alone, more than 700 participants attended the event from across southeastern Michigan. With the passing of Ordinance 279 in Grosse Pointe Shores this past September, commonly referred to as the city’s pit bull ban, Michigan Humane was forced to consider venues outside of the city that are inclusive and welcoming of all dog breeds.

“Pets are a part of our lives and our families. Our lives, and our communities, are better together,” said Michigan Humane President & CEO Matt Pepper. “For more than 35 years we have celebrated the bond we share with our pets at our annual Mutt March on the grounds of Ford House. We are thankful that the Grosse Pointe Shores City Council made the right decision, based on facts, to repeal their breed ban and give us the opportunity to bring our flagship community event back to the Ford House.”

On October 10, the Grosse Pointe Shores City Council held a special meeting to discuss Ordinance 279. In a 4-3 vote, they amended the ordinance, replaced it with ordinance 280, and removed any reference to breed-specific language. Practically, this repealed the pit bull ban and allowed Michigan Humane to once again host Mutt March at Ford House.

“The staff and board of trustees of Ford House are thrilled to welcome Michigan Humane and Mutt March back to this historic estate for 2024,” said Ford House President & CEO Mark J. Heppner. “Dogs are an important part of the Ford House story, having been on the property from the very beginning, sometimes as beloved members of the family and other times as staff, like our goose dog, Moss.

“I am grateful that the city council of Grosse Pointe Shores made this reversal decision, and we look forward to many more years of supporting Michigan Humane and its impactful mission while exposing thousands of their supporters (and their dogs) to the beauty and hospitality of Grosse Pointe Shores.”

Event details and registration information for Mutt March 2024 will be released in the coming months. For updates on the event, interested participants can visit MichiganHumane.org and FordHouse.org.

About Michigan Humane

Michigan Humane, founded in 1877, is the oldest and largest nonprofit animal welfare organization in the state. Michigan Humane is dedicated to helping the animals of southeastern Michigan, whether in our shelters, our veterinary clinics, or out in the community. Michigan Humane operates seven facilities dedicated to caring for animals and their families throughout metro Detroit; adoption partnerships with Premier Pet Supply, Petco, and PetSmart; and a Cruelty Investigation Department and a Statewide Animal Response Team. Learn more at michiganhumane.org.

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 Eleanor Ford’s vision of preserving the estate for future generations 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 Ford House on Facebook and Instagram.

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Join us for two screenings of the documentary America You Kill Me, directed by Detroit filmmaker Daniel Land and presented in partnership with We GP.

Daniel Land has received both the Spirit of Detroit Award (presented by the Detroit City Council) and the Media Award from the Community Pride Banquet & Awards Ceremony for his writing and activism.

The screening is free, but space is limited. Please reserve your tickets here. The film is not rated, but some of the content is more suitable for mature audiences.

View the trailer online here.

We thank our co-hosts and co-presenters Motor City Pride, Ferndale Pride, Macomb County Pride, and Between the Lines, Pride Source.

Press Release can be found HERE.

REFUND & EXCHANGE POLICY
To read our refund & exchange policy, please click HERE.

FILMING & PHOTOGRAPHY POLICY

Please read our full Notice of Filming & Photography HERE.

Last fall, kindergarten teacher Nicole Beaudry noticed that some of her students were extremely interested in Matchbox cars.

“They were really into the colors and styles of the cars and were comparing the designs to find the ‘coolest’ one,” Beaudry explained. “They also began propelling them off the furniture to see how they moved, so there was an interest in aerodynamics as well.”

Guided by the passion and inquisitiveness of her students, Beaudry created the car design project. She worked with University Liggett School Trustee and parent Jody Ingle as she planned the project, and Ingle’s background in industrial design was extremely helpful in ensuring the project connected the students to real world experiences.

Over the course of two-and-a-half-months, students conceptualized, drew and designed their own car. The project was constantly evolving as Beaudry gauged the students’ interest and their abilities to be successful with the activities.

“I make sure that projects contain avenues for all children and all learners and include as many hands-on activities as possible. I also work to bring art and science experiments into every project, including this one,” she said.

Work on the car design project began with a discussion of shapes, symmetry and proportions, and students examined real-world vehicles that were inspired by nature. They selected an animal or natural environment that would serve as the inspiration for their own vehicle design.

Beaudry built on the inquisitiveness of her students and provided scaffolding throughout the project, incorporating surveys and discussions about end users during the design phase.

Students were able to see many real-world examples of the design process through trips to the Ford S Studio and the Ford Piquette Plant, and Beaudry brought in experts to help students finalize their vehicles.  Bringing experts into the classroom is a key component of project work; it exposes children to people with real world experience and helps make the project more concrete and relevant.

As the students advanced through the design process, an instructor from College for Creative Studies came to the classroom, sitting with each student to discuss their vision. He drew realistic renderings of the students’ vehicles, and the students were able to draw in some of their own lines.

The final step was turning their renderings into clay models. Sculptors from Ford came to the class to show the students how to add and subtract clay to arrive at the shape they wanted, and how smoothing and creating lines would reflect the vehicle’s features.

Throughout the project, Beaudry documented the process so that students could see their progress and refer to the work they’ve done. By the end of the project, the kindergarten classroom was filled with examples of the students’ creativity and innovation.

As a rule, it was important to Beaudry that the students’ age did not limit what they were able to try.

“Children are capable of learning so much and doing so much more than some people tend to give them credit for,” she said. “The glow forge and 3-D printer were both key parts of this project and no one said ‘kindergarteners are too young.’ The support and belief that ULS teachers know their learners is tremendous and something I really value from our administration.”