Spring – Ford House https://fordhouse.org Experience the Wonder of the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House Mon, 16 Jun 2025 14:14:52 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://fordhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/cropped-FordHouse_Emblem_White_RGB-1-32x32.png Spring – Ford House https://fordhouse.org 32 32 Create Lasting Memories with an Unforgettable Easter Brunch at Ford House! https://fordhouse.org/news/create-lasting-memories-with-an-unforgettable-easter-brunch-at-ford-house/ Tue, 13 Feb 2024 14:00:56 +0000 https://www.fordhouse.org/?post_type=news&p=4518 Are you still on the hunt for the perfect Easter celebration for your family? Look no further! We have an exclusive invitation just for you. Join us at the stunning Edsel & Eleanor Ford House for an Easter Brunch experience unlike any other. With two seating options available at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m., you can choose the time that works best for your family’s schedule.

Picture this: you and your loved ones gathered together, surrounded by the serene beauty of Ford Cove and Lake St. Clair. The air is filled with anticipation and excitement as you await a memorable culinary journey.

As you settle into your seats, indulge in the panoramic waterfront views and sip on refreshing beverages from our Bubble Bar. Each guest will receive two drink tickets, ensuring everyone finds their favorite beverage to complement the festivities.

The Lake Shore Room in the Visitor Center

But the highlight of the day? Our exclusive brunch buffet awaits! Prepared by our talented chefs, it features an array of mouthwatering delights to tantalize your taste buds. From freshly baked bagels and Danish pastries to succulent fresh fruit and chef-made omelets, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. And let’s not forget the fluffy waffles that are sure to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.

But the fun doesn’t stop there! Get ready for a special visit from none other than the Easter Bunny, spreading joy and laughter as they hop around to greet guests of all ages. It’s a magical moment you won’t want to miss, perfect for capturing unforgettable memories with your family. Check out the full menu here.

Whether you’re celebrating with relatives or friends, our Easter Brunch at Ford House is designed to create cherished moments and lasting memories. And with seating sold by table, you can choose the perfect size for your group.

Plus, Friends of Ford House/Members enjoy exclusive discounts on table prices, making it even easier to treat your family to a day of elegance and charm.

So why wait? Book your spot today and embark on an Easter journey filled with culinary delights and cherished moments at Ford House. Spaces are filling up fast, so don’t miss out on this extraordinary opportunity to create lasting memories with your loved ones.

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Ford House Is Blooming with Events and Experiences This Spring https://fordhouse.org/news/ford-house-is-blooming-with-events-and-experiences-this-spring/ Fri, 28 Apr 2023 16:01:18 +0000 https://www.fordhouse.org/?post_type=news&p=3109 GROSSE POINTE SHORES, MI (April 19, 2023) – The gardens are blooming, and guests can enjoy several exciting events and experiences at the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House this spring.

In May, visitors are welcome to participate in Bird Walks, May 2 through 7, while children can engage in the outdoor Explorers program, May 13, learning about the birds that make Ford House home.

In celebration of Mother’s Day, The Continental at Ford House is hosting a Mother’s Day Brunch on May 14, with seatings at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. This special brunch is in the Lake Shore Room, with breathtaking views of Ford Cove and Lake St. Clair. The Mother’s Day Brunch features a Bubble Bar, Chef-made omelets, pancakes, and much more. Each mother will be gifted a lovely spring bloom keepsake.

With May being National Preservation Month, Ford House offers several lectures, tours, and workshops that celebrate the incredibly detailed work done by preservationists. On May 6, guests can take The Basics of Ornamental Plasterwork Workshop, learning how our master craftspeople restore ornamental plaster. Guests may also enjoy History and Preservation: Wood Flooring in Historic Buildings on May 11, Historic Wood Window Restoration for Homeowners Workshop on May 13, and An Introduction to Historic Masonry on May 18. Ford House members can enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes look into the preservation of Ford House on May 22 with a first-hand, guided tour by Director of Preservation Rebecca Torsell.

Paint Out takes place on Saturday, May 20, and painters, regardless of experience, are invited to create art from 8 a.m. through 3 p.m. on the Ford House grounds. The day will conclude with the Fresh Paint Party, a reception where visitors can meet the local artists, see the juror’s awards, and enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a drink.

On June 1, Ford House opens its newest exhibition, Making It Work, chronicling the lives and labors of the staff that made Ford House a home. Guests will learn about the various staff, their families, and how their work on the estate impacted their lives. This exhibition is located in the Gaukler Gallery inside the Visitor Center and is open to the public without admission. In support of the new exhibition, Director of Material Culture Lisa E. Worley will give a talk on June 8 about the staff and explore what it took for a large staff to run the estate and support the Ford family. Throughout June, guests can take the Making It Work tour, exploring the home’s dedicated staff spaces that were previously unavailable to the public.

To celebrate Eleanor Ford’s birthday, Ford House invites guests to Eleanor’s Birthday Tea and Tour on June 4, with service at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. At each tea service, the Peacock Room, one of Detroit’s most popular women’s apparel and accessories stores, will host a pop-up shop in The Cove, outside of the Lake Shore Room in the Visitor Center.

On Father’s Day, June 18, hundreds of car enthusiasts will flock to the Ford House grounds for EyesOn Design at Ford House. Unlike other car shows, judging is predominately conducted by automotive designers using professional design criteria, not based on restoration or authenticity. The event attracts some of the world’s leading designers, collectors, and fans for an unpretentious and unmatched day. EyesOn Design at Ford House has raised millions to support the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology (DIO). The DIO, a Henry Ford Health Department of Ophthalmology division, support the visually impaired and organizes groundbreaking eye research conferences.

Ford House rounds out its June with the first of its Concerts on the Lake on June 30 with The Docksiders. Fresh from their Las Vegas residency, The Docksiders are composed of music industry veterans – led by 3-time Grammy™ nominee Kevin Sucher. Their unique tribute act of your favorite “soft rock” songs of the 70s and 80s – now defined as Yacht Rock – has entertained thousands of people for years, and the revival of this genre and audiences are only getting bigger. Show-stopping hit song after hit song, costume changes, and production are only topped by their world-class performance.

For a complete list of events and experiences, including more classes, dining, tours, and shopping, visit www.fordhouse.org or call 313-884-4222. Ticket prices vary by event and sell out quickly. Members get pre-sale access to most events and programs. Becoming a Ford House member is quick and easy and can be done on the organization’s website.

 

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

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Bye Bye Gray Skies, Ford House Anticipates Spring Events https://fordhouse.org/news/bye-bye-gray-skies-ford-house-anticipates-spring-events/ Fri, 27 Jan 2023 20:04:32 +0000 https://www.fordhouse.org/?post_type=news&p=2566 Maple tapping bucketsMaple Syrup: Tapped, Shaken, and Served

On Thursday, March 9, visitors can enjoy Maple Syrup: Tapped, Shaken, and Served, a special event where guests will learn about maple tapping and indulge in a delicious maple-themed cocktail! Join us at Ford House to learn about the start-to-finish process of making maple syrup. Guests learn techniques to identify appropriate trees for tapping and enjoy a short walk to our “sugar bush” for a tapping demonstration, along with a discussion on the process and history of making maple syrup. Afterward, gather at our wood-fired maple syrup evaporator for syrup tastings and maple syrup-themed cocktails.

Visitors on a Bird WalkBird Walk

On March 19, visitors can enjoy our Bird Walk where guests explore the grounds with experts Rosann Kolvacik, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited Grosse Pointe, and Bill Rapai, President of Grosse Pointe Audubon. After the walk, enjoy a cup of coffee or tea while you discuss the birds seen. Guests can enjoy the Bird Walk on April 2 as well as May 2, 3, 4, and 5.

Spring Tea & Tour

Also on March 19, as well as March 23, Ford House invites guests to its Spring Tea & Tour where visitors enjoy an elegant tea service with small bites and sweets in the beautiful Lake Shore Room overlooking Ford Cove and Lake St. Clair followed by a self-guided tour of the home. At each of the two Spring Tea & Tours, The Peacock Room will have a pop-up shop set up for you to browse and purchase from their incredible collections.

Feet in tangoBallroom Dance: Tango

April 6 invites guests to join our four-week Ballroom Dance: Tango dance class, in honor of Eleanor and Edsel Ford meeting at a dance class in their youth. In week one, learn leading and following basics. Week two introduces turns and rotations. Week three teaches attendees how to use the music and week four concludes with learning to combine patterns. Dance instructors Louis and Lauren Johnson are professional Ballroom dance instructors with 15 years of teaching experience.

Botany & BrewsBotany & Brews

Botany & Brews is a new members-only event where guests learn about the native flora on the estate from our Landscapes team. Enjoy a cold beer while learning about the care and cultivation of native plants at Gaukler Pointe. This special program takes place on May 10 and 17. Learn more and become a member today!

A woman painting outdoors.Paint Out! and Fresh Paint Party

A community favorite, Paint Out takes place on May 20. Guests bring art supplies and paint on the grounds at Ford House for the day. All skill levels are welcome for this program, but only framed artwork can be entered for the juried prize. Prizes will be given to the first ($1,000), second ($500), and third-place winners ($250). Each artist may submit two (2) framed artworks for the juried prize. Tickets for Paint Out include free admission to the Fresh Paint Party at the end of the day and one drink ticket. Even if you don’t or aren’t interested in painting, you can join the party, see the works, and enjoy refreshments.

Preservation TourPreservation Tour

On May 22, visitors join Director of Preservation Rebecca Torsell for an exclusive, members-only Preservation Tour where you’ll learn about our ongoing preservation projects and the unique details and intense care that goes into completing them.

StorytimeEducation Programs

Plus Education programs for children, like Storytime and Explorers, and adult programs like Maker Studio and more are offered on select dates throughout the season!

Visitor Center lobbyNew Exhibit Opening

Perhaps our most anticipated exhibit, Ford House invites visitors to experience Making It Work, opening June 1. Making It Work is a new exhibition chronicling the lives and labors of the staff that helped make Ford House a warm and wonderful family home for Edsel, Eleanor, their children, and their extended family. Guests will learn about individual staff, their stories, and what life was like during the family’s nearly fifty-year residency. More details coming soon.

Plus more programs and events!

And that’s not all! Stay tuned for more and more exciting programs and events. If an event isn’t on sale yet, check back soon.

Continental Dining with PeopleThe Continental

Of course, no visit to Ford House is complete without enjoying a meal lakeside at our acclaimed restaurant, The Continental. Chef Jeremy Robertson creates seasonal menus that offer “comfort food, elevated.” Or swing by The Speedster, our grab-and-go option for visitors on the move. Reservations for The Continental are highly recommended!

The ShopThe Shop

While at the estate, swing into The Shop to purchase gifts, books, jewelry, and much more. You can also follow The Shop on Instagram to see new products and store highlights.

Are you in the know?

If you aren’t already subscribed, join our email list to receive news and offers throughout the year.

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