From Family Home to National Treasure: Explore the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House
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Sitting on the shores of Lake St. Clair in Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan, the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House is one of those places that draws you in the moment you arrive.
Built in 1928, this is more than another grand historic estate. It’s a window into the lives of one of America’s most fascinating families. The storybook architecture, the carefully preserved details, and the feeling that history still lingers in the air make it a place worth exploring.
Since opening to the public in 1978, Ford House has welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors, staying true to Eleanor Ford’s vision of preserving the estate for future generations.
Through guided tours, exhibits, lectures, family activities, and special events, Ford House invites guests to explore its connections to art, design, history, and nature while celebrating family traditions and community.
Whether you’re wandering the gorgeous grounds, admiring the intricate architecture, or soaking in the history, this place is a true Michigan treasure.
A Legacy of Innovation and Philanthropy
Edsel Ford, the only son of Henry Ford, wasn’t just the next in line to the Ford empire. He had a passion for design, art, and craftsmanship, and it showed in everything from the cars he helped create – like the Lincoln Zephyr and Mercury line – to the home he built for his family.
While Henry was all about efficiency and mass production, Edsel had a softer, more artistic side that made this estate what it is today.
His wife, Eleanor Clay Ford, was just as influential. A philanthropist and community leader, she spent her life giving back to Detroit and ensuring their home would be a place for learning and inspiration long after they were gone.
Thanks to her vision, the estate remains open for visitors to explore, just as she intended.
A Home with Storybook Charm
Designed by Albert Kahn, the Ford House looks like something out of an old English countryside storybook. With its charming stone exteriors, leaded-glass windows, and sloping rooftops, it’s got a warmth and character that makes it feel like a home rather than just an estate.
Inside, the details are just as impressive. From hand-carved woodwork to grand fireplaces, every corner has a story to tell. And the best part? The home still features its original furnishings, artwork, and décor, so you’re truly stepping into history, not just a staged museum setting.
The Grounds: A Peaceful Retreat
Beyond the house itself, the 87-acre estate is a dream for anyone who loves being outdoors. Designed by famed landscape architect Jens Jensen, the gardens and pathways blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings, creating the perfect setting for a peaceful stroll.
Some must-see spots include:
- The Rose Garden – A vibrant collection of heirloom roses that looks (and smells) incredible
- The Lagoon and Boathouse – Once a favorite spot for the Ford family’s lake outings
- The Meadow – A wide open space perfect for a picnic or just taking in the fresh air
- The Pool House – A stunning space that once hosted elegant gatherings
More Than Just a Historic Home
The Edsel & Eleanor Ford House is a nonprofit organization and National Historic Landmark dedicated to preserving and sharing the Ford family’s legacy. Throughout the year, it hosts concerts, art exhibits, seasonal festivals, and educational programs.
The new Visitor Center adds even more to the experience, with interactive exhibits and a cozy café that offers beautiful views of the estate.
Plan Your Visit
Whether you want to step inside the house, wander the grounds, or just enjoy the scenery, there’s an experience for everyone. You can choose a self-guided tour or opt for a guided one to get even more insight into the Ford family legacy.
- Location: 1100 Lake Shore Rd, Grosse Pointe Shores, MI 48236
- Hours: Vary by season – check the official website for details
- Admission: Multiple ticket options available, including house and grounds access
- Dining & Shopping: Stop by the on-site restaurant for a bite to eat or check out The Shop for unique gifts and souvenirs
Edsel & Eleanor Ford House Tour
Awesome Mitten Creator Team member, Hayley Serr, had the opportunity to tour the house and grounds in the summer of 2013.
As I arrived at the Edsel & Eleanor Ford estate, I was unprepared for the sheer size of the property.
Pulling through the main gate lodge, I had to be directed toward the visitor center to receive further instruction for where I would be heading for my tour. After purchasing my ticket, I was told I could head to the house across the grounds.
Luckily, though the sky over Lake St. Clair looked foreboding, the rain held out until about 5 minutes before I was ready to leave, and I was able to enjoy a wonderful walk across the grounds.
The cool breeze from the lake made for a lovely climate to walk along Ford Cove and listen to stories of Edsel’s boats and Eleanor’s walks along Bird Island via the iPod Touch that was provided for a self-guided grounds tour.
Since I was alone for this tour, I plugged in my headphones and listened to the stories of the Fords’ days at the estate as I walked.
I was amazed at the expansiveness of the grounds, and at how much had been done to create the Fords’ oasis (Bird Island was nothing but a sandbar before landscape architect Jens Jensen was commissioned by the Fords).
Arriving at the house, it appears large, but does not seem imposing. Despite it’s size (30,000 square feet with sixty rooms), the estate has the unpretentious look of a quaint manor from the Cotswold hills of England.
Construction on the home began in 1926, not long after the Fords commissioned Albert Kahn to design their ideal residence.
The first thing I noticed upon entering was how dark it seemed in the house, an attribute that our guide pointed out was simply a style of the times. Also, while the home is expansive, many of the rooms are fairly small; this intentional design element provided the Fords a home that felt cozy and intimate.
Though intimate, the estate is quite grand. The ceilings in many rooms are adorned with plaster fleur de lis details, the walls panelled with ornate linenfold wood from England, there are French wrought crystal chandeliers hanging; the number of intricate details in each room is (at times) overwhelming. This is especially evident on the first floor of the home.
Among the rooms we walked through on the first floor were the art gallery, the drawing room, the library, the morning room, the dining room, three different rooms in one larger kitchen area, the flower room, the games room, and Edsel’s study.
Our guide relayed tales of the Fords’ lives in each room as they would have put it to use.
The art gallery, while never utilized for its intended purpose, was the site of many grand occasions, including Henry and Clara Ford’s 50th wedding anniversary party (which drew over 500 attendees to the estate), Josephine Ford’s wedding reception, and Henry Ford II’s 21st pirate-themed birthday party (for which his parents had a pirate ship built and placed in the lagoon on the property).
The library, the most used room in the house, housed over 1,300 books and accommodated the many hours that each of the Fords spent reading. The library also offers a sample of the Fords’ progressive and diverse taste in art, with art in the room ranging from African masks, Ming vases converted into lamps, to more traditional painted works.
In the dining room, the children would converge (with their governess) at 6:30 in the evening for dinner, while the adults would arrive to dine at the main table at 7:30. Once the children reached the age of twelve, they were invited to join the adults at their table, however, they were required to dress up.
In the butler’s kitchen, there is what looks like a switchboard, which corresponded to call buttons around the home (one of which was under the rug by Eleanor’s chair at the head of the table in the dining room).
Though the butler’s kitchen retains the 1920s feel of the home, the main room in the kitchen has many 1970s era fixtures from updates made in the time before Eleanor’s death.
Through the large endowment that she left, the house has been able to remain unchanged but preserved for curious voyeurs such as myself.
In Edsel’s study, we are able to catch a glimpse of his diverse talents: on display is a sculpture he crafted while taking art lessons. Also an avid amateur photographer, Edsel’s (and Eleanor’s) strong creative eye is evident throughout the house.
Walking upstairs, we are afforded a look at the intricate stone roof of the house. Though the house originally cost 3.2 million dollars to build, replacing this stone roof ten years ago cost 3 million dollars alone and took three years to complete.
The difference of the times is evident in the cost of the house, and is also noticeable in many facets of the home.
In addition to the lack of light, you may notice such differences as only the boys bathrooms upstairs had showers (ladies only bathed), all rooms locked from the inside (the home was built near the time of the Lindbergh baby incident), and the very presence of a governess’ room speaks to a different era.
Despite these variations, the home was very modern for it’s time; several rooms had radios built into tables, scales were built into the floor in several bathrooms, and Eleanor’s flower room had a refrigerator for overnight storage of her beloved flowers to increase longevity.
The Fords were also very forward thinking in the treatment of their staff. Though hours were often long, the staff had ample afternoon breaks, those who lived on site had sizeable quarters, children of the staff often socialized with the Ford children, and Eleanor even offered to have the children’s governess continue to live at the estate after the children were grown. As a result, many employees stayed with the Fords for decades.
As I walked back from the home past the lagoon, the pool, Eleanor’s rose garden, Josephine’s Play House, and the splendor of the grounds, it is not difficult to imagine a lively estate bustling with a family who loved to play sports (Josephine had a Tigers pennant hanging in her room amongst her many tennis trophies), enjoy bird watching, and spending time with one another.
Take a sunny Sunday afternoon, as I did, and head to the Ford Estate for a wonderful trip back in time.
