Edison and Ford Winter Estates
A Big Draw in Fort Myers 

By Tom Wuckovich

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Thomas Edison and Henry Ford put the town of Fort Myers on the proverbial map when they chose the City of Palms as their winter getaway. Tales of their past affinity for the area are contained in a museum that also holds many of Edison's 1,000 patented inventions, along with the Model T his friend and neighbor gave him.

The Edison and Ford Winter Estates are listed on the National Register of Historic Places as well as other sites, such as Florida Heritage Landmarks. The Edison Estate was deeded to the city by Mrs. Thomas Edison in 1947 and opened to the public in 1948. Ford’s Estate was bought by the estates in 1988 and opened to the public in 1990.

The Edison & Ford Winter Estates just completed a $9 million restoration project on the Edison buildings. Visitors to the Estates can enjoy 20 acres of historical buildings and gardens including Edison’s Botanic Lab and the Estates Museum. The newly restored Edison buildings include the Main House, Guest House and never been opened to the public Caretaker’s House. The 1929 historic landscape is evident throughout the property including the award winning Moonlight Garden. The Estates Museum has an impressive collection of inventions and artifacts, special exhibitions and archives.

Guided Tours daily of the site include the homes, museum, laboratory and gardens. The estates are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Estates 15,000 square foot museum contains hundreds of Edison and Ford objects, video theatres, and changing special exhibits. More than 250,000 visitors per year come to the Estates, making it the ninth most-visited national historic home in the country.

In addition to providing the opportunity to explore the winter retreats of Thomas Edison (original furnishings) and Henry Ford (furnished in 1920’s style), the site offers opportunities to enjoy the park like environment and special gallery art exhibits. The Estates Banyan Cafe offers casual foods under the large shaded trees.

The Edison Ford Winter Estates is one of the greatest historic treasures within Lee County. Thomas Edison died October 18, 1931 at 84 years old. He is credited with holding 1,093 patents and has the record as being the only person in the country ever to have a patent granted every year for sixty-five consecutive years, 1868 to 1933.

The museum includes such displays as the original Model T Ford given to him by Henry Ford. Also on display is a collection of more than 200 Edison phonographs. The laboratory is where Edison conducted many of his last major experiments and was kept just as he left it. Edison's tropical botanical garden, one of the most complete in America, contains more than a thousand varieties of plants imported from all over the world.

In addition to a tour of the home, the estates offers a river cruise down the Caloosahatchee River on a replica of the Reliance, Edison's electric launch. Ticket prices are $20 for adults and $11 for children.