Edison & Ford Winter Estates Blog

“Gators in the Garden” is the theme for the annual “Art in the Garden,” an outdoor sculpture exhibit which is a project of the Edison & Ford Winter Estates, the Lee County Art Educators and Lee County Schools. Now in its 5th year, 25 schools are participating from throughout Lee County and visitors can expect to see at least 25 gators among the flowers and vegetables in the Edison Heritage Truck Garden near the Museum. Teachers have been awarded funds to assemble the weather-proof materials for the sculptures, and the spectacular art is up to the students.

Exhibit support by George M. Cox Trust. The exhibit is FREE to the public.

     Registration now open with a few spaces remaining for Edison Ford Inventor’s Summer Camp beginning May 28 through August 2 in science, art and nature. Camps are separated by grade levels, 1st – 3rd and 4th – 6th. Cost: Edison Ford Members $200; non-members $230. To register call the Edison Ford Education Department at 239-334-7419. For forms and information, click here. 

 • Time Travelers – May 28 – May 31

 • Space & Rockets – June 3 – June 7 (FULL)

 • Kitchen Chemistry – June 10 – June 14.  (FULL)

• Animation – June 17 – June 21 (FULL)

• Movie Making – June 24 – June 28 (FULL)

 • Engineering – July 8 – July 12 (FULL)

• NEW Robotics at Edison Ford – July 15 – July 19.  (FULL)

 • Physics in Motion – July 22 – July 26 (FULL)

 • Smart in Art and Science – July 29 – August 2 (FULL)

• FREE Admission to Veterans and their Families on Memorial Day – May 27

      Edison Ford is offering FREE admission to United States Armed Services Veterans and their families on May 27. Free admission includes an audio tour of the historic homes, botanical gardens, museum and Edison Research Lab. Veterans must present a VA identification card or their DD214 papers to receive free admission.

● May 14, 9:30 a.m.

      Volunteers and prospective volunteers will gather at the new Edison Ford Shoppe at Bell Tower Shops, Store #185 at the main Courtyard Fountain for the monthly gathering and lecture.

      The program will be “Hands on Science and Kitchen Chemistry” provided by the Edison Ford Wild Wizards.

      Participants will also meet Jen Nettles, the new General Manager of Bell Tower. Refreshments provided by the Courtyard Café and Bell Tower.

● May 11, 9:00 a.m.

      During this time of year the scent of blooming gardenias fills the air throughout the Edison Ford Gardens and bright pink, orange and yellow bursts of color can be seen throughout the landscape with blooming hibiscus. Join Edison Ford horticulturist to learn about growing hibiscus and gardenias in Southwest Florida.

      Gardenias and hibiscus will be available for purchase in the Edison Ford Garden Shoppe and participants will receive 20% off in the Garden Shoppe.

      Cost: Edison Ford Members FREE; non-members $5.

● May 10, 10:00 a.m.

      In honor of the national day to celebrate gardening, Steve Hottovy, Historic Garden Manager, will lead a tour of the Edison Ford organic vegetable garden and the propagating nursery. This is a free event, but participants should call to register as space is limited. Debbie Hughes, Edison Ford Horticulturalist and UF Master Gardeners will join in the activities.

      Steve brings both academic training and experience in agriculture and horticulture to this new position at Edison Ford. He has worked with public gardens as well as major plant nurseries, and his love of organic methods and materials in the garden are already apparent. He also oversees the Edison Garden Shoppe which is bursting with old fashioned plants, herbs and a very unique collection of historic caladium bulbs, heritage vegetable and flower seeds and garden items. In the garden restoration area, he is hard at work installing the first of many beds of Edison Goldenrod and working with the curatorial staff on the Ford Rose Garden which will be dedicated on Henry Ford’s birthday in July.

     The Lee County Viva Florida 500 Time Capsule will be on display in the Edison Caretaker’s House throughout the month of May along with Discovering Southwest Florida with Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, an exhibit featuring historic photographs and artifacts celebrating Southwest Florida’s history during the Edison Ford era.

      The Lee County Library System in conjunction with the Florida Department of State has launched the SNAPSHOT Time Capsule project in honor of Viva Florida 500, a year-long commemoration of Florida’s 500th anniversary dating back to Ponce de Leon’s landing in Florida in 1513.

      The items chosen reflect Lee County’s unique community and represent what future generations should know about Lee County. The SNAPSHOT Time Capsule will travel around Lee County until September 2013.

     The Edison & Ford Winter Estates opened the Edison Ford Shoppe at Bell Tower Shops, in the Fountain Courtyard, late last month. The Shoppe includes a little bit of the main historic site and features unique, handcrafted and local items to purchase, information on how to visit Edison Ford and be part of the activities, and also include an area for regular programs, author talks and book signings, artist demonstrations, food tastings and hands-on activities for children and families.

      The Edison Ford Shoppe at bell Tower Shops is opened during mall hours (Monday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., Sundays Noon – 5:00 p.m.). Information on Edison Ford is available for shoppers to check out how to be part of the main site as well.

      Monthly activities are planned at Edison Ford Shoppe and include:

May 2, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. – Book signing with authors Tom Smoot, The Edisons of Fort Myers Discoveries of the Heart; and John W. Sheppard, One Man’s Family in Early Fort Myers, Little Things Can Mean A Lot: Pearls of Life of Great Value, and I Can See Clearly Now. Books available for purchase.

 May 7, 4:30 p.m. – Ribbon Cutting with Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce.

 May 9, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. – Ask the Plant People, Edison Ford horticulture staff available for questions, tips and general information on Southwest Florida Gardening and the Gardens at Edison Ford. Boutique garden items available for purchase in time for Mother’s Day.

 May 10, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. – Yappy Hour. Dogs welcomed in Edison Ford Shoppe, Dog Basket Raffle from Little Paws Bakery valued at $75.

 May 14, 9:30 a.m. – Edison Ford Volunteer Meeting and Program, with Jen Nettles and Edison Ford Wild Wizards.

 May 16, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. – Gallery Talk and Paint Out Loud with artist Leoma Lovegrove.

 May 23, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. – Edison Ford Celebrates Restaurant Week with a Tasting of Edison Ford. Calamondian, honey, jams, jellies, olives and a variety of items for purchase at Edison Ford Museum Store including fresh fruit grown in the Edison Ford gardens.

 May 28, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. – KIDding Around with Edison Ford Wild Wizards, Science of Sound, Investigate and experience the science of sound with phonograph demonstrations, designing a thunder clapper and more!

 May 30, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. – Book signing with author Amy Bennett Williams, Along the Caloosahatchee River. Books available for purchase.

•  FREE Admission for Mom’s on Mother’s Day

Mina Edison with children, Madeleine, Charles and Theodore.

•  Half Price Admission for Behind-the-Scenes Tour at 2:00 p.m.

•  Enjoy a picnic lunch on Ford Estate, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

      Celebrate Mother’s Day at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates with FREE admission for Mom’s or a Behind-the-Scenes Tour at 2:00 p.m. with half priced admission for Moms.

      Enjoy a picnic lunch on the Ford Estate catered by Everglades BBQ (prices vary, see menu below). Saxophonist Craig Christman will provide entertainment while you enjoy breezes off the Caloosahatchee River.

     Picnic Lunch Menu

•  Picnic Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwich with Slaw – $7.00

•  Picnic Smoked Pulled Pork Nachos with Hot Melted Cheese Sauce, Sour Cream, Sliced Red Jalapenos and Chipotle Drizzle – $7.00

•  Nachos with Hot Melted Cheese Sauce and Sliced Red Jalapenos – $5.00

•  Picnic Smoked Half Chicken Platter with Corn Bread Muffin and Slaw – $9.00

Clara Ford with son Edsel.

•  Strawberry Shortcake Cup – $5.00

•  Bud, Bud Light, Magic Hat – $5.00

•  Mimosas – $5.00

Daily Tours

      Springtime is a great time of year to visit the Edison & Ford Winter Estates. The gardens are in full bloom, the weather is sunny and breezy and the historic buildings are dazzling. Every day of the week visitors have the option of an Historian Led Tour, Audio Tour in English, German, Spanish or French, or a Lab and Museum Tour.

      Throughout the week, there are also specialty tours including:

 Edison Ford Mucker/Young Inventor’s Tour

• Saturdays  – 11:00 a.m.

      Children of all ages will have fun while participating in hands-on science activities based on the inventions of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. Activities include an assembly line, phonograph demonstrations and much more. Cost: Edison Ford Members FREE, non-members Adults $12, Children (ages 6-12) $5.

 Invention Demonstrations

• Every day in the Edison Ford Museum, Every half hour

      Invention demonstrations on the phonograph with site historians and hands-on SMART CART with wax cylinders, record albums, light bulbs and more. Touch, feel, hear and see the inventions of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford.

 Garden & Estates Tour

• Tuesdays  – 10:30 a.m.

      This tour is led by the Historic Garden Manager and includes the historic gardens as well as a behind-the-scenes tour of the greenhouse and propagating nursery. Tour includes history of the estates, admission into the lab and museum and audio tour. Cost: Edison Ford Members FREE, non-members $40.

 Historian Led German Language Tour

• Wednesdays – 10:30 a.m.

      Historian led tour of homes, gardens, lab and museum in German. Cost: Adults $25, Children (ages 6-12) $15.Tours in French and Spanish are available for groups with advance reservations.

 Behind-the-Scenes Tour

• Thursdays – 11:00 a.m.

      A Behind-the-Scenes Tour takes you inside and up close in the Edison and Ford homes led by curatorial  staff, it includes the homes, gardens, lab and museum. Cost: Edison Ford Members FREE; non-members $40. Space is limited and reservations are suggested by calling 239-334-7419.

      Groups can schedule specialty tours or customize their visit to fit the needs and interests of the group by calling 239-334-7419 for reservations and group rates.