Edison Botanic Research Laboratory Restoration Ribbon Cutting Ceremony – February 15, 2012
Media Release – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chris Pendleton, President & CEO
Lisa Sbuttoni, PR/Marketing Director
293-334-7419
Images: Edison at work in the Edison Botanic Research Laboratory in Fort Myers, Florida; Various consultants throughout the restoration of the Edison Botanic Research Lab. For higher resolution or photos email lsbuttoni@edisonfordwinterestates.org
Edison Botanic Research Laboratory Restoration
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony – February 15, 2012
Fort Myers, FL(January 25, 2012)On February 15, 2012 at 11 a.m. the Edison & Ford Winter Estates will be celebrating the completion of the Edison Botanic Research Laboratory restoration project with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The ceremony will include a behind the scenes lab tour with the Edison Ford trustees, staff, project consultants, officials and funding agencies. The event is FREE to the public. .
The project to restore the 1928 Lab has been led by Edison Ford staff and consultants from throughout the country who restored this important historic building, recreated the historic scientific work that was accomplished by Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone, and are giving “hands-on-science” a new meaning with a growing array of programs such as the “Wild Wizard” and Edison Mucker’s shows.
The three year restoration with overall funding of more than $900,000 provided building stabilization, restoration of exterior siding, windows and roof, state-of-the-art fire suppression and alarm systems, new building access, as well as interpretation of the chemical lab and processing area, machine shop, plant processing, grinding room, darkroom and staff offices.
Funding and grants have been provided by the Edison & Ford Winter Estates Inc., Edison Ford Winter Estates Foundation, State of Florida, The 1772 Foundation, US HUD EDI Grants, and City of Fort Myers. The lab restoration project is the culmination of more than $13 million in restoration and improvements which have been completed in the past decade with support from the State of Florida, City of Fort Myers, Lee County, National Trust for Historic Preservation and various local and national grants. The Edison & Ford Winter Estates is a National Register Historic Site, a Florida Historic Landmark and original Save America Project of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and one of the nation’s most visited historic home sites.
The Edison Ford is open daily from 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. The Edison Ford is the winner of the 2009 National Stewardship Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and is an official project of “Save America’s Treasures” at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a Florida Historic Landmark and a National Register Historic Site. For additional information call 239-334-7419 or visit the web site at www.edisonfordwinterestates.org.
Fort Myers, FL (January 24, 2012)- The Edison & Ford Winter Estates has prepared a new exhibit, “Thomas Edison, Lewis Latimer & the Light Bulb” for the Black History Museum and the Lee County Black History Society. The exhibit will open in time for Black History Month at the Black History Museum. There is also a similar exhibit at the Edison Ford Invention Museum at the Edison Ford Winter Estates.
Fort Myers, FL(January 18, 2012) – Florida Arbor Day activities at the Edison Ford Winter Estates include tree plantings and student activities. Florida Arbor Day is traditionally the third Friday in January and is celebrated throughout the Sunshine State with a variety of community based activities.
Palm Beach in season has been a winter tour destination since Henry Flagler brought the railroad there a century ago. Participants will tour the Flagler Museum and Whitehall Estate which has recently expanded to include the Henry Flagler railroad car and new gallery areas. After lunch, the tour will move to the historic Society of the Four Arts Gardens, the adjacent Hulitar Sculpture Gardens, and the Norton Museum of Art to view the Corning Museum of Glass Roadshow. The Corning Roadshow is of interest to the Edison Ford as the Edison Botanic Research Laboratory has an important historical collection of early Corning Glass as part of their collection.
The Corning Museum Roadshow is the world’s premiere mobile glassblowing unit, a mobile “hotshop” at the Norton Museum of Art. The Norton Museum is internationally known for its permanent collection featuring American, Chinese, Contemporary, European Art and Photography.
The Corning Museum of Glass Hot Glass Roadshow has been added to the
Fort Myers, FL(December 27, 2011)- Edison & Ford Holiday Nights at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates continues through December 31, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.. During the holidays the homes and gardens of Thomas and Mina Edison and Henry and Clara Ford are seasonally decorated. Throughout the day visitors have the option of a self guided tour or a guided tour with an Edison Ford site historian. Special holiday traditions tours are at 6 and 7 p.m. Hammered dulcimer musician, Richard Blasich will be performing nightly 5:30 – 8 p.m.
Fort Myers, Florida (December 23, 2011) –January at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates is highlighted with the return of the Edison Ford Tropical Florida Bridal Fair, “Thomas Edison, Lewis Latimer & the Light Bulb” exhibit opening and a Director’s Tour to Palm Beach as well as a variety of other special programs and activities throughout the month. The January schedule of programs and events include:
Fort Myers, FL(December 6, 2011) Edison & Ford Holiday Nights Children’s Tree Trail located in the Edison Ford Heritage Gardens is open and FREE to the public, through December 31, 2011. The Children’s Tree Trail is a holiday tradition during Edison & Ford Holiday Nights with handmade ornaments on trees created by Lee County students.
