Last updated: 7/26/2023
Fort Myers, Florida
Address
2350 McGregor BoulevardFort Myers, FL 33901

Hours

Edison and Ford Winter Estates
Open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and until 9 p.m. in December. Closed Christmas and Thanksgiving Day.
Daily
9 AM - 4:30 PM

Admissions

Adults $25 Teen $20 (ages 13-19) Children $15 (ages 6-12) Children (ages 5 and under admitted free) NARM, AHS, Time Travelers discounts honored. Group rates available for groups of 20 or more people; call 239-334-7419.

Donations Accepted
General Admission: $25
Adults: $25
Active Military with ID get in free
Members: free
Children under 5 get in free
[Teens 13-19]: $20
[Children 6-12]: $15

Staff

Lisa Wilson
phone:
Mike Cosden
phone:
Michael Flanders
phone:
e-mail:
Description

The Edison and Ford Winter Estates is a National Register Historic Site and Florida Historic Landmark with 13 historic buildings, including the 1927 botanic research laboratory and a 15,000-square-foot museum on 20 acres of botanical gardens. The site is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and some evenings for special events.

Mission

The mission of the Edison and Ford Winter Estates is: To educate the public and inspire an inventive spirit by interpreting and preserving the innovations, legacies, artifacts, gardens, homes, laboratory, and other structures of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, emphasizing Florida history, science, horticulture, and the arts.

History

The Edison Estate was donated by Mina Edison to the City of Fort Myers in 1947 for $1. The Ford Estate was purchased in 1988 and opened to the public two years later. The site has undergone a $13 million restoration and is now a world-class resource for education, tourism and historical preservation with more than 220,000 visitors annually.

Artifact Collections

The site includes 13 historic buildings, original furnishings and equipment of the Edison and Ford families, historic and champion trees, inventions, and antique automobiles.

The artifacts collections are comprised of original Edison and Ford family photographs, the historic homes, Edison original furniture, books, antique Ford automobiles, original Edison inventions, artifacts and documents and the Edison botanic research laboratory.
Research Collections

homes, lab and gardens include original artifacts and plant material, library collection and archives also includes original materials. All available for research under guidelines of curatorial department.

N/A
Educational Programs

The education department offers summer and day camps, and homeschool programs for children. Programs focus on STEAM as well as history and the natural world. Adult education programs are also available and focus mainly on art and gardening-related topics.

Facilities
Lecture Halls
Performance Areas
Governance

Governed by the Thomas Edison and Henry Ford Winter Estates, Inc. non-profit organization with a board of trustees.

Library
Access: Staff Only
Appointment required: No
Publications

A monthly newsletter (Member Magazine) is available digitally, along with a monthly publication on flowers blooming around the site.

Newsletter
What's Blooming flower listing
Services
Gift Shop
Online Gift Shop
Special Event Rental
Group Tours
ADA
Wheelchair Accessible
Parking
Restrooms
Exhibitions
Museum Events
DISCLAIMER
This information, including business hours, addresses and contact information is provided for general reference purposes only. No representation is made or warranty is given as to its content or the reliability thereof. User assumes all risk of use. Stories USA, Inc. and its content suppliers assume no responsibility for any loss or delay resulting from such use. Please call ahead to verify the dates, the location and directions.

MUSEUM CONFERENCES

2024 Colorado-Wyoming ANNUAL MEETING

May 1 - 4, 2024

Worland, Wyoming

West Virginia Association of Museums 2024 Conference

June 6 - 8, 2024

Shepherdstown, West Virginia

Ohio Museums Association 2024 Conference with AMM

July 24 - August 3, 2024

Columbus, Ohio

South Carolina Federation of Museums 2024 Conference

September 16 - 18, 2024

Laurens, South Carolina

Florida Association of Museums 2024 Annual Conference & Exposition

October 13 - 16, 2024

Daytona Beach, Florida

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