.97.png)
Ever wondered what it’s like to step into a fairytale English village without leaving Metro Detroit? In Grosse Pointe Shores, along the sparkling shores of Lake St. Clair, lies a storybook mansion that offers just that experience. The Edsel and Eleanor Ford House – often simply called Ford House by locals – is more than just a grand historic home. It’s an immersive journey into Detroit’s automotive legacy, a showcase of world-class art and architecture, and a beloved community landmark all rolled into one. This historic estate in Michigan blends art, architecture, and family legacy in a way that continues to enchant Metro Detroiters and visitors alike. In this article, we’ll explore the Ford House’s rich history, its stunning Albert Kahn architecture, the exquisite art and design inside, the beautifully landscaped grounds, and why this Metro Detroit landmark remains a must-see gem for families, history buffs, and culture lovers.
Ford House, Facebook
A Grosse Pointe Shores Legacy: The Ford Family Home
To understand the magic of the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House, you first need to know a bit about the family behind it. Edsel Ford was the only son of the famous Henry Ford, and by the 1920s he was a prominent figure himself – president of Ford Motor Company and a patron of the arts in Detroit. In 1926, Edsel and his wife Eleanor set out to build their dream home in Grosse Pointe Shores, a tranquil lakeside community known for its tree-lined streets and elegant mansions. They hired Detroit’s most renowned architect, Albert Kahn, to bring their vision to life. The couple had traveled in rural England and fallen in love with the charming cottages of the Cotswolds. They asked Kahn to design a home that captured that cozy, old-world feel – albeit on a much grander scale for their family estate.
Eleanor and Edsel moved into their new Grosse Pointe Shores home in 1929, and it quickly became the heart of the Ford family life. They raised their four children here, and the estate was often buzzing with activity – from intimate family gatherings to high society events. In fact, the Fords were known to host memorable parties; for their son William’s 21st birthday, they even commissioned a full-size pirate ship to be built on their lagoon for a swashbuckling party centerpiece, complete with a live performance by Frank Sinatra serenading the guests. Imagine the glamour of a summer night, with Detroit’s elite dancing under the stars in the lakeside garden as Ol’ Blue Eyes sings!
But daily life at the Ford House also had its quiet, familial moments that make it special to local lore. One charming feature still on the grounds is a child-sized playhouse, gifted to the Ford children by their grandmother Clara Ford in 1930. Don’t be fooled by the word “playhouse” – this petite cottage has working electricity and plumbing, and its exterior is decorated with characters from nursery rhymes. Many Metro Detroit parents smile at the thought that even the Fords – for all their wealth – believed in spoiling their kids with imaginative play, just like we do today (albeit on a very grand scale!).
The Ford family’s legacy extends beyond fun stories; they left an indelible mark on Detroit’s culture. Edsel and Eleanor were serious art lovers and museum benefactors, heavily involved with the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA). Over the years, they amassed an extensive art collection in their home and supported countless cultural projects in the city. Edsel himself sponsored the creation of Diego Rivera’s famous Detroit Industry murals at the DIA in the 1930s, reflecting his passion for art and community. This spirit of civic contribution is a big part of why the Ford House is cherished – it represents a family that helped shape Detroit’s identity in industry and in the arts.
Edsel Ford sadly passed away in 1943 (in the very house we are exploring), and Eleanor continued to live in the mansion until her death in 1976. Eleanor Ford’s parting wish was that their home be preserved and used “for the benefit of the public”. Thanks to that wish, today the Ford House is open to the public as a historic house museum, so everyone can share in this piece of Detroit’s history. The property was entrusted to a foundation, and by 1978 the estate opened for tours. In recognition of its significance, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and later designated a National Historic Landmark in 2016. In short, the Ford House is not only a family legacy but a community treasure – immaculately maintained and lovingly presented so that new generations can step back in time and experience a slice of Detroit’s golden era.
Albert Kahn Architecture Meets Storybook Charm
Walking up to the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House, you might feel like you’ve wandered into the English countryside. Albert Kahn’s architecture for this estate is a departure from the factories and skyscrapers he was famous for – here, he crafted an intimate, idyllic design inspired by those Cotswold cottages the Fords admired. The result is nothing short of enchanting.
The Edsel & Eleanor Ford House exterior channels an English Cotswold village aesthetic, with ivy-covered sandstone walls and clusters of gabled roofs that create a storybook charm in the heart of Grosse Pointe Shores. The house is constructed of warm, tawny sandstone blocks, and its steep-pitched slate roof is laid with stone shingles that gradually decrease in size as they reach the peak – a subtle design trick Kahn used to mimic the look of a centuries-old cottage. In true cottage fashion, ivy and moss have been encouraged to grow across the exterior walls, so the mansion looks like it’s been nestled by the lake for much longer than it actually has. Tall chimneys and dormer windows punctuate the roofline, and the structure is composed of several wings and sections, giving the impression of a little village of connected houses rather than one massive 30,000-square-foot mansion. This was exactly Kahn’s intent: to make a grand home feel inviting and human-scaled, as if it evolved organically over time.
Beyond its fairy-tale looks, the Ford House is very much a product of the Jazz Age and Detroit’s roaring 1920s wealth. Construction on the house began in 1926 and the main building was completed in about a year
en.wikipedia.org
. Yet, in their quest for authenticity and craftsmanship, the Fords spent two additional years on the interiors – not just decorating, but literally installing history into the house. They imported antique wood paneling and stone fireplaces from real English manor houses to imbue their new home with old-world character. For example, the grand Gallery (the largest room in the house) is lined with 16th-century oak panels carved in a classic linenfold pattern, and its imposing stone fireplace was salvaged from a demolished 1600s-era hall in Worcestershire, England. The main staircase once graced a Tudor manor known as Lyveden Old Bield before making its way to Michigan. In the Library, you’ll find carved oak walls and a stately chimney piece that came from a noble estate in Northamptonshire. In short, the Fords and Kahn went to extraordinary lengths so that every beam, mantle, and mullion in the house told a story – and it worked. Walking through the Ford House truly feels like stepping into a timeless European country home, even though you’re just minutes from Detroit.
Inside and out, the architecture wows visitors with thoughtful details. Carved stone grotesques (a bit like gargoyles) peer down from the eaves in spots, and leaded glass windows cast dappled sunlight into rooms. There’s even a charming gate house at the entry along Lake Shore Drive that’s so picturesque many first-time visitors mistake it for the house itself! (The real mansion hides deeper within the estate, revealed only after a scenic drive down a long, tree-lined lane as per Jensen’s landscape design – more on that soon.) The gate house wasn’t just decorative; it contained staff apartments and an eight-car garage equipped with a fancy turntable that could rotate automobiles, sparing chauffeurs the trouble of backing out in the narrow space. This clever bit of 1920s “tech” is a reminder that innovation was part of the home’s DNA – what else would you expect from the Ford family?
Inside the Mansion: Art, Antiques, and Design Treasures
If the exterior of the Ford House is a trip back in time, the interior is a journey around the world. Every room seems to whisper stories of art, design, and the personal tastes of Edsel and Eleanor Ford. The couple were avid art collectors, and their home doubled as a private gallery for many significant works. In fact, the house featured an extensive art collection reflecting the Fords’ status as serious collectors and benefactors of the Detroit Institute of Arts. Over the years, original paintings by European Impressionist masters and American artists adorned the walls. After Eleanor’s death, many of the most important paintings were donated to the DIA, fulfilling the family’s legacy of sharing art with the public. (If you visit the DIA today, you can thank the Fords for quite a few masterpieces on display!) In their place, high-quality reproductions now hang in the Ford House so that visitors can still appreciate the home as it looked when the family lived there. But not all the art in the house today is a copy – notably, the Drawing Room still showcases two original Paul Cézanne paintings amid its elegant French décor. In a sunny corner “Morning Room,” you’ll spot a familiar face from art history: a reproduction of Vincent van Gogh’s Portrait of the Postman Roulin – a nod to one of the works that once lived there. And fittingly for a family so tied to Detroit industry, an original Diego Rivera painting called Cactus on the Plains hangs in the Modern Room – Rivera, of course, being the artist Edsel Ford commissioned to paint the DIA’s famous mural cycle. It’s thrilling for art lovers to see these pieces in a home setting, surrounded by the Fords’ furniture, books, and personal touches as if the family just stepped out for a moment.
Art is only part of the allure – the interior design and decor of the Ford House are equally rich in detail. The Fords worked with designer Charles Roberson to install priceless antique architectural elements, as mentioned earlier. The result is a home that feels lived-in and loved for centuries. In the Gallery, for instance, your eyes are drawn upward to a dramatic barrel-vaulted ceiling modeled after one in an English manor house – it creates a grand sense of space and acoustics perfect for the musical performances the Fords sometimes hosted. Wander into the Dining Room and you’ll dine (in your imagination, on the tour) under carved oak paneling and doorways that once belonged to an old estate in London – and notably, this formal dining space has no electric light fixtures by design. Why? The Fords intended to dine by soft candlelight, preserving the old-world ambiance even as modern conveniences remained elsewhere. It’s these kinds of thoughtful choices that make the house a living museum of art and design.
Some of the most fascinating interior features highlight the blend of old and new that defined the Fords’ tastes. For example, the kitchen – while designed to look like a cozy cottage kitchen – has countertops made of sterling silver. Yes, actual silver counters! Not only are they beautiful and reflective, but silver is naturally antibacterial, a clever (if extravagant) choice for a high-end 1920s kitchen. In Edsel Ford’s private office, behind what appears to be a normal wood panel, lies a secret photography darkroom. Edsel was an enthusiastic photographer, and this hidden gem of a room let him pursue his hobby in privacy. It’s a fun surprise for today’s visitors to learn that one of Detroit’s automobile titans was also an artsy dad developing family photos in a secret room.
Even the newest rooms in the house (for the era) were cutting-edge and stylish. In the 1930s, Edsel and Eleanor enlisted the help of Walter Dorwin Teague, a prominent industrial designer of the time, to modernize some spaces. Teague designed a first-floor “Modern Room” in stark Art Deco style, quite a departure from the Tudor look elsewhere. This sleek salon features indirect cove lighting (a novel concept back then), chic taupe leather wall panels, and a curved niche lined with mirrored panels – imagine the glamour of hosting cocktail hour in this swanky room during the Depression years! Teague didn’t stop there; he also designed custom bedrooms and sitting areas for the Ford sons. One of the most famous touches is in young Henry Ford II’s bathroom: Teague used cool gray structural glass for the walls and even the shower, giving it a streamlined moderne vibe. Details like these make the Ford House not just a preservation of old luxury, but also a showcase of 1930s modernist design. As you walk through the house on a tour, it’s delightful to see how the styles transition from room to room – one moment you’re in a medieval English library, the next you’re in a jazzy Art Deco lounge.
To sum it up, the Ford House interiors are a harmonious blend of art, antiques, and innovation. The furniture and décor you’ll see are largely original – from ornate rugs and tapestries to the delicate china in the cabinets – giving an authentic peek into how a prominent Metro Detroit family lived in the early 20th century. Whether you’re an architecture enthusiast, an art history fan, or just an HGTV addict, there’s something jaw-dropping in every room. It’s the kind of place where you catch yourself thinking, “If these walls could talk…” – and in a way, they do, through the craftsmanship and collections on display.
.png)
Ford House, Facebook
87 Acres of Gardens and Lakefront Beauty
While the mansion itself could keep you enthralled for hours, the experience wouldn’t be complete without exploring the Ford House’s grounds and gardens. Spanning 87 acres of rolling lawns, lush gardens, and tranquil woodlands, the estate’s landscape is an attraction in its own right. It was designed by the legendary landscape architect Jens Jensen, who was known for a naturalistic style that celebrates native plants and harmonious vistas. Jensen’s signature touch at Ford House is what he called the “long view” – as you enter the estate, you don’t see the mansion immediately. Instead, you follow a winding drive that offers teasing glimpses: a peek of blue Lake St. Clair through the trees here, a bit of ivy-covered rooftop there. Only at the end of the drive does the full house unveil itself across a long meadow, an approach meant to inspire awe and appreciation of the journey. It’s a bit like a theatrical reveal, and it still works its magic on visitors today.
Once you’re on the grounds, you’ll find that the gardens offer a little something for everyone. Start near the house, and you’ll discover formal flower gardens that would impress any botanical enthusiast. Eleanor Ford herself had a hand in designing some of these gardens, infusing them with a classic elegance. There’s a rose garden tucked behind vine-covered pergolas, bursting with blooms of every hue in season. (Interesting trivia: Eleanor’s wish for a rose garden initially clashed with Jens Jensen’s vision. Jensen preferred strictly natural landscapes and famously bristled when anyone tried to impose formal features like rose beds. In fact, he once quit a project with Henry and Clara Ford over a rose garden disagreement! At Ford House, Eleanor and Jensen reached a compromise – the rose garden was placed behind some shrubbery, subtly hidden from the long meadow view so it wouldn’t break the natural illusion. A clever solution that gave Mrs. Ford her beloved roses without offending the master landscaper’s aesthetic.) Today, that rose garden is a favorite spot for visitors, photographers, and yes, wedding ceremonies – the perfume of the roses on a June day is simply divine.
As you wander further, the estate unfolds like a park. Meandering paths lead you past a peaceful lily pond where frogs hop between pads and dragonflies buzz on the breeze. You might stroll under shaded groves of oak and beech trees, eventually coming upon Lake St. Clair’s shoreline. The Ford House property boasts 3,100 feet of lake frontage, and they’ve made the most of it – benches dot the shore so you can sit and watch sailboats and swans gliding across the water. One especially picturesque spot is Ford Cove, a little inlet where the estate meets the lake; it’s so tranquil that it’s hard to believe downtown Detroit is only a short drive away. Keep an eye out for local wildlife too. The estate’s mix of gardens and wild areas makes it a haven for birds, and the Ford House staff often host bird-watching walks and nature programs for families. It’s not uncommon to see great blue herons fishing in the shallows or monarch butterflies enjoying the wildflowers – a scene right out of a Michigan nature calendar.
Some highlights on the grounds not to miss:
- The Pool and Lagoon: Just beyond the house lies a swimming pool and an adjacent man-made lagoon, which in the Fords’ time was used for summertime boating and winter ice-skating. The pool area includes a charming Pool House/Garden that has been recently restored, surrounded by colorful plantings. It’s easy to imagine the Ford kids splashing in the pool on a hot July day or friends gathering for cocktails by torchlight on a warm evening.
- Josephine’s Play House: Mentioned earlier, the children’s play cottage is an absolute delight. It’s scaled down for kids, with miniature furniture and even a tiny working bathtub – truly a dollhouse come to life. While you can’t go inside (it’s viewable from the outside only), it never fails to enchant visitors who stumble upon it along the garden path. Parents often point it out to their little ones and share the story of how even the mighty Ford family indulged in a bit of whimsy for their daughter Josephine.
- The Meadow and Natural Areas: Not all of the estate is manicured gardens – large portions remain as open meadows and wooded pockets, just as Jensen intended. In the spring, these areas bloom with wildflowers and native plants. In the fall, the trees put on a spectacular show of color. Jensen wanted the landscape to feel naturally beautiful and not overly tamed, and you can definitely feel that serenity as you walk the grounds. It’s a slice of pure Michigan nature right outside the city.
- Sculptures and Art Outdoors: Scattered around the grounds are sculptures and garden art that reflect the Fords’ artistic leanings. From time to time, the estate even features outdoor art installations or exhibits, blending culture with nature in surprising ways. Keep your eyes peeled for any current exhibits during your visit – it might be contemporary sculptures or even historical displays about the Ford family placed along the path.
One of the most enjoyable things about the Ford House grounds is how family-friendly they are. Unlike some stuffy historic estates, here you’re encouraged to walk, play, and make yourself at home outdoors. On any given weekend, you’ll see kids running on the expansive lawns, playing tag or rolling in the grass, as parents push strollers or take photos with the storybook mansion as a backdrop. The site is very much about experiencing the place, not just looking at it. You can pop into the Visitor Center (a modern addition to the estate) to start your day – they have interactive exhibits about the Ford family and the estate’s history, plus a gift shop and a café. In fact, The Continental, the Ford House’s lakeside restaurant, has become a popular brunch spot. Imagine sipping coffee on a patio where you can see the mansion on one side and the lake on the other – talk about Sunday morning goals! Whether you’re entertaining out-of-town guests or just looking for things to do in Metro Detroit on a sunny afternoon, a stroll through the Ford House gardens followed by lunch at The Continental makes for a pretty perfect day.
Community Events and Living History
One reason the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House stays so relevant and beloved is that it’s not just a static museum; it’s a living part of the community. All year round, the estate hosts programs, events, and activities that invite Metro Detroiters of all ages to engage with history, art, and nature in fun ways. It’s no exaggeration to say that the Ford House has become one of the area’s favorite gathering spots for cultural events – effectively one of the grandest community centers you can imagine.
Tours & Education:
First and foremost, the guided house tours are a highlight. Knowledgeable docents lead you through the mansion’s rooms, sharing anecdotes about the Ford family and pointing out details you might miss. You’ll learn tidbits like which chair was Edsel’s favorite, or see the desk where he likely signed important Ford Motor Company papers. There are even special themed tours – for instance, an All About Eleanor tour that focuses on Eleanor Ford’s life and contributions. The guides do an excellent job of making history feel personal and engaging. Beyond house tours, the Ford House offers educational programs ranging from lectures by historians and architects, to workshops for kids. Metro Detroit schools often bring students here on field trips to learn about local history, architecture, and even environmental science (thanks to the rich natural habitat on the grounds).
Seasonal Events:
The Ford House shines during seasonal celebrations. In the summer, they’ve been known to host outdoor concerts on the lawn, where families spread out picnic blankets and enjoy live music with the gorgeous house as a backdrop. Garden parties, art fairs, and classic car shows (of course!) have been on the agenda in past years. Come fall, the estate might host harvest festivals or spooky tours highlighting historic “haunts” (in a family-friendly way). Holiday celebrations are especially magical – think twinkling lights on the trees, winter tours of the house decked in 1930s Christmas décor, and hot cocoa stations to keep you warm as you stroll the frosty gardens. Many local families have a tradition of visiting each December for a dose of old-fashioned holiday spirit.
One particularly charming event took place in 2016, marking Edsel and Eleanor’s 100th wedding anniversary. The Ford House organized a series of events called “A Century of Love,” including a mass vow renewal ceremony on the estate’s picturesque grounds. Dozens of couples – from newlyweds to those married for decades – gathered to renew their vows in the very gardens where the Fords once walked, with a local judge officiating. It was followed by a lively reception with dancing, live music from a Detroit band, and a sneak peek at a special exhibit of Ford family wedding gowns. This event perfectly exemplified how the Ford House brings the community together to not only learn about history but also make new memories. After all, how many historic museums can say they’ve had couples dancing in the moonlight and toasting to love on their grounds?
Family Fun:
For families with children, the Ford House is extremely welcoming. They host storytime events, scavenger hunts, and nature walks designed for kids. Little ones might get to do a garden scavenger hunt, searching for hidden fairy houses or specific flowers. During certain weekends, the staff might set up lawn games or craft stations (for example, pumpkin painting around Halloween, or ornament making near Christmas). There are also wellness activities like yoga classes on the lawn and even trivia nights for adults (imagine enjoying a pub-style trivia quiz inside a mansion – indeed, they’ve done it!). The variety of programs means there’s always something new to experience, whether you’re a first-time visitor or a regular.
To keep up with all these happenings, you can check the Ford House’s event calendar on their website – there’s likely an exciting event in the works whenever you decide to go. Some events are ticketed, especially the special tours or holiday programs, so plan ahead. But many offerings, like general grounds admission on a sunny afternoon, are very accessible – sometimes even free on community days thanks to sponsors. The inclusivity and ongoing activity make the Ford House feel like a vibrant piece of living history, not a relic. It’s a place where the past and present mingle: one moment you’re admiring Edsel’s vintage 1920s speedboat in the garage, the next you’re chatting with a local gardener about native plants by the butterfly garden.
.png)
Ford House, Facebook
Preservation of a Detroit Treasure
Maintaining a 1929 mansion and its vast grounds is no small task, and the caretakers of the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House have worked tirelessly to keep this treasure in top shape. In recent years, there have been significant restoration efforts to ensure the estate remains as beautiful and authentic as ever. The house relies on a trust fund that Eleanor Ford established, as well as community support and donations, to carry out this work. (Fun fact: Mrs. Ford left about $15 million in the trust when she passed the estate to public hands in the 1970s, and through prudent management it grew to nearly $100 million by the 2000s – a wonderful legacy that literally funds the preservation of history!)
One major project has been restoring the mansion’s masonry and roof. The slate roof and sandstone walls, as picturesque as they are, faced wear from Michigan’s harsh winters over time. A few years back, the Ford House brought in specialist artisans – even flying in a team of stone masons from England – to replace and repair sections of the roof using the same quarry that supplied the original stone shingles. Talk about dedication to authenticity! Similarly, when the lakeside terrace’s stone pillars showed cracking, the estate commissioned replacement stones from the very region in Europe where the originals originated. The philosophy is to use original or near-original materials and techniques, ensuring that any repairs honor the home’s historic integrity. It’s the kind of painstaking care that true architecture buffs deeply appreciate – and it means the Ford House will look as stunning in the future as it did in 1929.
Inside the house, restoration is ongoing in various rooms. Not every room is currently on the public tour, partly because some spaces are still awaiting a spruce-up. The tours typically showcase about 20 of the estate’s 60+ rooms, focusing on the main areas while other sections (like former servant quarters or some bedrooms) get worked on behind the scenes. Occasionally, the Ford House offers specialized “behind-the-scenes” tours where you can see these normally closed areas and learn about the restoration process – a treat for hardcore history fans. The goal in the coming years is to bring more of the estate to show-worthy condition, and given the excellent results so far, it’s exciting to imagine what new (or renewed) corners of the Ford House we might get to explore down the line.
The gardens and grounds also benefit from restoration and conservation initiatives. For example, Ford House is partnering with environmental groups on a shoreline restoration project to improve wildlife habitats along Ford Cove. This includes planting native vegetation and creating better environments for fish and birds – ensuring that the estate’s natural beauty thrives for generations to come. So when you visit, you’re not only enjoying a preserved past, you’re witnessing an active effort to secure the future of this landmark.
Plan Your Visit to a Metro Detroit Landmark
With so much history and beauty to take in, you might be wondering how to experience the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House for yourself. The good news is it’s very easy to visit and highly recommended for anyone looking for engaging things to do in Metro Detroit. The estate is open to the public year-round (hours vary seasonally), and you can choose to tour the house, wander the grounds, or both. Here are a few tips to make the most of your visit:
- Start at the Visitor Center: Begin at the Visitor Center to get your tickets and a map. There’s a brief introductory exhibit that gives context about the Ford family, which is great for setting the scene. Don’t forget to check out any current exhibitions – there might be vintage Ford family photographs or historic automobiles on display.
- Take a Guided House Tour: If it’s your first time, the guided house tour is a must. Knowledgeable guides will enrich your visit with stories and point out details you might miss on your own. Tours run multiple times a day. Consider booking in advance during peak times (spring and summer weekends or holiday season), as tours can sell out.
- Enjoy the Grounds: Leave ample time to explore the gardens and walking paths. The grounds are open 8 a.m. to sunset for a relaxing stroll. It’s a great place for a picnic or for kids to run around, so feel free to bring the family and maybe a frisbee. There’s even a grounds-only admission option if you want to come regularly just to soak up the scenery.
- Dine by the Lake: Make a reservation for lunch or brunch at The Continental, the Ford House’s lakeside restaurant. It’s a lovely spot to grab a bite and reflect on all you’ve seen – plus, who doesn’t want to dine in view of a mansion and a lake? They occasionally do special afternoon teas and holiday meals, which can be a real treat (think Mother’s Day brunch or a Christmas tea).
- Check the Events Calendar: Before you go, see if any special events or programs align with your visit. Whether it’s a summer concert, a garden workshop, or a seasonal festival, timing your trip with an event can add even more fun. And if nothing is scheduled, rest assured a regular visit is still plenty enriching – the estate itself provides all the entertainment you’ll need.
Finally, consider the time of year when planning your visit. The estate is gorgeous in all seasons: spring brings blooming flowers and chirping birds, summer offers full greenery and lake breezes, fall paints the grounds in reds and golds, and winter can be serene and beautiful (especially if you catch a holiday tour with wreaths on every door and snow on the rooflines). There’s really no bad time to explore this historic home in Grosse Pointe Shores.
Exploring the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House is like stepping into a vibrant painting of Metro Detroit’s past – one filled with art, innovation, family warmth, and community spirit. It’s easy to see why this historic estate remains one of the crown jewels of Metro Detroit landmarks. From the moment you gaze at its ivy-clad walls or stroll through its rose-scented gardens, you feel a connection to the legacy of a family who not only built cars that changed the world, but also built a home and a life that continue to inspire long after them. The Ford House is more than a museum; it’s an experience – a place where you can learn, relax, have fun, and gain a deeper appreciation for the rich tapestry of Detroit history.
So why not plan a visit and see this magical blend of culture and nature for yourself? Whether you’re a local Metro Detroit family looking for a weekend outing or a history enthusiast touring Michigan’s historic estates, the Ford House welcomes you with open doors. And if you happen to fall in love with the surrounding community (it’s hard not to, with Grosse Pointe’s gorgeous lakeshore and historic charm), you might even start dreaming of making it your neighborhood. If that’s the case, let us know – The Perna Team is here as your savvy Metro Detroit real estate experts and friendly neighbors, ready to help you find a home that captures a bit of that Ford House magic. In the meantime, pack a camera, bring your curiosity, and go experience the Edsel Ford House. It’s a local gem that truly lives up to the hype, promising a delightful journey through art, architecture, and the enduring legacy of one of Michigan’s most iconic families. Enjoy your visit!
DON'T KEEP US A SECRET - SHARE WITH A FRIEND OR ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
THINKING OF MOVING TO Grosse Pointe, OR LOOKING TO RELOCATE IN THE AREA? VIEW A LIST OF CURRENT HOMES FOR SALE BELOW.
Browse Grosse Pointe Real Estate Listings
The Perna Team and Michael Perna are the best real estate agents in Grosse Pointe and Ann Arbor. The Perna Team and Michael Perna have been hired as a real estate agent by hundreds of home owners to sell their homes in Grosse Pointe and Ann Arbor.
Posted by Michael Perna on
Leave A Comment