ESD Behind-the-Scenes Tours

Scroll down to see them all.

Edsel and Eleanor Ford House

POSTPONED—Please contact Elana Shelf at eshelef@esd.org for more information.
12:30 – 1:00 p.m. Arrive and Check-In
1:00 – 2:30 p.m. Tour and Q & A

2022 ESD Construction & Design Awardee

Tour Hosts:  

Karl Koto, Director of Landscape and Project Manager, Ford House

Amanda Rutland, Director of Visitor Experience, Ford House

Bill Hidinger, Project Superintendent, Frank Rewold & Sons Inc.

Using historic records combined with modern engineering, Ford House staff and architects completed the restoration of the estate’s swimming pool, lagoon and surrounding landscape this past summer. One of the most extensive restoration projects to date on the 87-acre estate, the team restored the entire southeast corner of the 87-acre property to how Edsel and Eleanor Ford, architect Albert Kahn, and landscape architect Jens Jensen originally envisioned it in the late 1920s.

To achieve historical accuracy, the architects relied on Ford House’s extensive archives and team of researchers. They were able to reference the original plans, architectural drawings, historical photographs, family films and other historical records.

The Ford House, a historic lakeside estate was the family home of Edsel Ford – Henry and Clara Ford’s only child – where he lived with his wife Eleanor and their children beginning in 1928. Since 1978, Ford House has welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors.  It was named a National Historic Landmark in 2017.

Attendees will tour the brand-new state of the art Visitor Center and Administration Buildings that opened to the public in May 2021. The tour hosts will highlight the project, sustainable elements used throughout the buildings, and visitorship impact since opening.

COST:

$25 for ESD members. Non-members can join ESD for $99 and attend the tour for free.

TO REGISTER:

Click on the button at right. For more information, please contact Elana Shelef at 248-353-0735, ext. 119 or eshelef@esd.org.