Edison & Ford Winter Estates on the West Coast

The Edison and Ford Winter Estates contain a historical museum and 21 acre (8.5 hectares) botanical garden on the adjacent sites of the winter homes of Thomas Alva Edison and Henry Ford.

The present site dates from 1885, when Edison first visited Florida and purchased the property to build a vacation home. His home, completed in 1886 and later dubbed "Seminole Lodge", served as a winter retreat and place of relaxation until Edison's death in 1931. Edison’s good friend Henry Ford purchased the adjoining property, "The Mangoes".

Visitors to the Edison & Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers will enjoy 20 acres of historical buildings, historic gardens, the Edison Botanic Research Lab and the Edison Ford Museum. The newly restored buildings include the Edison Main House, Guest House, and Caretaker’s House and the Ford House.  The 1929 historic landscape is throughout the property including the award winning Moonlight Garden. The Edison Ford Museum has hundreds of inventions, artifacts and special exhibits.

A National Register Historic Site, Florida Historic Landmark and Winner of the National Trust for Historic Preservation Restoration Award, this place offers a chance to step back into “old Florida” and the opportunity to learn more about the world through unique historical, scientific and cultural experiences.

In 2014 the Edison Botanic Research Laboratory was designated as a National Historic Chemical Landmark by the American Chemical Society.

Open Daily 9:00 am to 5:30 pm. Last Guided Tour starts at 4:00 pm. Self-guided audio tours available in English, German, French, and Spanish.  Maps available in English, German, French and Spanish. German language historian-led tours are also available every Wednesday at 10:30am.

Museum Store, Ford Cottage Shoppe and Garden Shoppe are open daily 9.00 am to 5:30 pm.

Practical Tips:

Distance from Roseaire: 162 miles, about 2:30 hours. Map.

Official Website here.

Wikipedia article here.