Edison & Ford Winter Estates Programs – September 2010

September at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates includes a NEW exhibit opening, the Edison & Ford Young Inventor’s Program,and NEW Home School Classes. The September schedule of activities include:

Young Inventor’s Program, Saturdays at 1:00 PM 
The Estates’ newest program offers families an interactive, hands-on inventions experience focusing on children’s science activities including the Ford assembly line; the incandescent light bulb; creating rubber and the history of the phonograph.  Due to limited space, the tour will be on a first come first serve basis and includes admission to the Lab and Museum.   Program cost is Estates Members FREE; $12 adults, $5 children ages 6 -12 and FREE to 5 and under.    

 

NEW Exhibit:  “Discovering Southwest Florida with Thomas Edison & Henry Ford” opens September 2, 2010 at Southwest Florida International Airport
The exhibit features a collection of historic photographs of Edison and Ford’s favorite pastimes in southwest Florida accompanied with contemporary photographs and  artifacts from the Estates collection.   

Behind the Scenes Lab Tour for Estates Volunteers, September 15, 9:30 AM
Estates volunteers are invited to a special behind the scenes tour of the Edison Botanic Research Lab.  Estates curatorial staff will present new Lab findings discovered while moving artifacts into the visible storage area in the Museum.  The tour will include a walk inside the visible storage area and restoration.  Registration is required.  

Edison Inventors Association Meeting, September 15, 7PM, Meeting once a month at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates, the organization serves the inventors in the community by providing education and networking opportunities.  For more information contact 239-275-IDEA (4332). 

Sneak Peek Tours return on Thursdays from September 16 – October 28, 9:30 AM
Visitors will enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour inside the Edison and Ford homes.  These unique tours are offered at no cost to Estates members and $40 for non members.  Due to the intimate nature of “Sneak Peek Tours”, space is limited and registration is required.

Home School Class:  Space and Rockets, September 24, 1PM
Home schooled students will study the planet Earth and its galaxy as they explore the solar system and create their own “rocket.”  The programs follow the Lee County mandated program and addresses environmental science, history and reading SOLS.  Pre-visit curriculum materials will be mailed to registered families.  Registration is required.  Cost:  Estates Members $5; non members $15 (one adult, one child), additional $5 per child.

Quilting and Stitchery Demonstration, September 25, 10 AM – 1 PM
Quilters from the Southwest Florida Quilter’s Guild and members of the Southwest Florida Embroidery Guild will demonstrate quilting and stitching and will be available to answer questions on techniques and care.   In the early 1900’s Henry Ford collected, celebrated and displayed quilts and other historical objects. Demonstration is FREE with purchase of Estates Home and Garden Tour ticket.
 
The Estates is open daily from 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. The Estates is the winner of the 2009 National Stewardship Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and is an official project of “Save America’s Treasures” at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a Florida Historic Landmark and a National Register Historic Site. For additional information call 239-334-7419 or visit the web site at www.efwefla.org.

New Young Inventors Tour at Estates – Begins Saturday, August 21

Beginning August 21, 2010, the Edison & Ford Winter Estates will be offering a new year-round program, Edison & Ford Young Inventor’s Tour.

The new Young Inventor’s Tour will be offered at 1:00 p.m. every Saturday and will focus on hands-on discovery of four primary inventions of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford.  Children and their families will learn how the inventions work and have the opportunity to operate the historic education artifacts.  The inventions and hands-on exploration will include:

• The Incandescent Light Bulb
The Edison & Ford Young Inventor’s Tour family tour begins in the Estates Museum and explores the progression of the light bulb from thread to bamboo as well as Edison’s scientific process.

• Recorded Sound
Children will learn the history of sound from the first recorded sound “machine,” Edison’s phonograph, to the MP3 player.

• The Ford Assembly Line
Children will participate in building a Ford Model T working on a “mock” assembly line and learn first-hand about the engine parts of an early Ford car.  

• Rubber Research
Children will make synthetic rubber as well as learn about the Edison Botanic Research Lab where Edison explored and discovered a source of natural rubber which could be grown in Southwest Florida.  

Children will receive quiz sheets to complete and receive a free prize. The tour will be on a first come, first serve basis and includes admission to the Lab and Museum.  Estates Members are FREE; non members $12 adults, $5 children ages 6 -12, children 5 and under are FREE.  Tickets will be available at an additional cost to upgrade to a complete Home and Gardens Estates Tour. 

Groups may call to register for specialty scheduled tours and programs by calling 239-334-7419. 
 
The Estates is open daily from 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. The Estates is the winner of the 2009 National Stewardship Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and is an official project of “Save America’s Treasures” at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a Florida Historic Landmark and a National Register Historic Site. For additional information call 239-334-7419 or visit the web site at www.efwefla.org.

Edison & Ford Winter Estates Programs – August 2010

August at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates includes a Summer’s End Celebration with FREE admission for teachers, school staff and their families; the introduction of a new Estates tour, Edison & Ford Young Inventor’s Family Tour; and Discounts to Southwest Florida Residents as well as a variety of other special programs throughout the month of August.  The August schedule of programs and events include:

Estates Inventor’s Summer Camp, Space  Available
For budding rocket scientists, film makers, animators and science detectives, registration is still open for Estates Inventors’ Summer Camp at the Estates. Weeklong camps continue through August 20.  Camp hours are 9 AM – 4 PM, Monday – Friday.  Camps are open for grades 1st – 6th and sessions are separated by grade levels, 1st – 3rd and 4th – 6th.  Cost for Estates Members is $200; non members $230.  Scholarships will be available.
• Spaceships & Rockets, August 9 – 13
The final Frontier!  Campers will explore the outer reaches of the universe with our resident spaceman.  Campers will get to visit planets, collect samples, float on our Lunar Lander, and tons more!
• Eager Engineers, August 16 – August 20
“To be a good inventor you need a good imagination and a pile of junk,” said Thomas Edison.  The Estates will supply the junk and jump start the imagination.  Campers will use recycled materials and develop Green Inventions such as robots that will perform a number of different tasks, conduct science experiments, participate in balloon car races, build bridges, and more!

Behind the Scenes Lab Tour for Estates Volunteers, August 4, 9:30 AM
Estates volunteers are invited to a special behind the scenes tour of the Edison Botanic Research Lab.  Estates curatorial staff will present new Lab findings discovered while moving artifacts into the visible storage area in the Museum.  The tour will include a walk inside the visible storage area and restoration.  Registration is required.  

New Volunteer Orientation, August 10,10 AM
Join Estates staff to learn about volunteer opportunities, Estates policies and general Museum information.  This is a mandatory training for all Estates volunteers.  New and potential volunteers are welcome.

Summer’s End Celebration:  FREE Day for teachers, school staff & their families, August 14, tours begin at 10 AM
Besides FREE admission for teachers, school staff and their families, a full day of specialized tours (10:00 AM and 1:00 PM), hands-on sciences performances by the Estates Wild Wizard (12:00 PM), fish printing workshops (1:00PM – 3:00 PM) and the unveiling of the Estates newest tour, Edison & Ford Young Inventors Family Tour (3:00 PM) will be available throughout the day.   Educators and school staff must present a school issued identification badge to receive free admission.  Registration is required for specialized tours designed for educators. To register call the Estates Education Department at 239-334-7419. 

Docent Training, August 19, 9 AM
New Estates volunteers who are interested in becoming porch, Lab or Museum docents, or leading a group tour of the Estates grounds must attend this mandatory meeting.

NEW Edison & Ford Young Inventors Family Tour, August 21, 11:00 AM & 1:00 PM
The Estates newest Museum tour offers families an interactive, hands-on inventions experience focusing on children’s science activities including the Ford assembly line; the incandescent light bulb; creating their own rubber product and the history of the first recorded sound “machine” Edisons’ phonograph to the MP3 player. Due to limited space, the tour will be on a first come first serve basis and includes admission to the Lab and Museum.   Cost is $12 adults, $5 children ages 6 -12 and FREE to 5 and under.    

Summer Discounts for Southwest Florida Residents, August 21
Just in time for the end of summer vacation, the Estates is offering half price admissions for all Southwest Florida residents to tour the Estates Museum, Laboratory, Homes and Gardens.  Tickets will be $10 for adults and $5.50 for children (ages 6 -12; 5 and under FREE).  Residents must present a driver’s license or voter registration card with photo ID to show their address in Lee, Hendry, Collier, Charlotte or Glades County. 

Quilting and Stitchery Demonstration, August 21, 10 AM – 1 PM
Quilters from the Southwest Florida Quilter’s Guild and members of the Southwest Florida Embroidery Guild will demonstrate quilting and stitching and will be available to answer questions on techniques and care.   In the early 1900’s Henry Ford collected, celebrated and displayed quilts and other historical objects. Demonstration is FREE with purchase of Estates Home and Garden Tour ticket.

Sneak Peek Tour, August 26, 9:30 AM
Visitors will enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour inside the Edison and Ford homes.  These unique tours are offered at no cost to Estates members and $40 for non members.  Due to the intimate nature of “Sneak Peek Tours”, space is limited and registration is required.

Art in Bloom

 

On Sunday, March 7, 2010, three designers were presented with People’s Choice Awards for their winning floral designs at Art in Bloom  at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates.  Debbie Hughes received First Place; Ena McGrattan received Second Place; and Suzy Valentine received Third Place.  Estates president & CEO, Chris Pendleton and Fort Myers-Lee County Garden Council president, Mitzie Marckesano presented the awards. 

 

Winners of the Peoples Choice Award: Suzy Valentine, Debbie Hughes, and Ena McGrattan

 

Winners of the Peoples Choice Award: Suzy Valentine, Debbie Hughes, and Ena McGrattan

Estates Board of Trustee Helen Hendry; Estates president & CEO Chris Pendleton; Debbie Hughes and Ena McGrattan

Estates Board of Trustee LD Bochette and Estates garden volunteer Mary Ann Sedlock

Fort Myers-Lee County Garden Council president Mitzi Marckesano and husband Patrick

People’s Choice first place winner Debbie Hughes with artwork by Manfred Behr

People’s Choice second place winner Ena McGrattan with artwork by Barbara Yeomans

People Choice third place winner Suzy Valentine with artwork by Ellen Sheppard

Winnie Stone with artwork by Southwest Florid Quilter’s Guild

Glenda Campbell with artwork by Bill North

Floral Designer Gloria Freitas Steidinger with artwork by Manfred Behr

Floral Designer Judy Gore with artwork by Kim Hambor

Lois Gressman artwork by Pat Dunne

Floral Designer Nancy Wheeler with artwork by Karen Flanders

Sandy Kavouras with artwork by Marie Dyer

Theo Kavouras with artwork by James DiGiorgio

Debbie Hughes with artwork by Leoma Lovegrove

Betty Mazzarella with artwork by Nadine Miller

Floral Designer Brenda Norris with artwork by Kim Hambor

Floral Designer Chris Pendleton with artwork by Augusta Crane

Floral Designer Darlene Thompkins with artwork by Leoma Lovegrove

Art in Bloom, a collaborative project of the Estates and the Fort Myers-Lee County Garden Council, combined art work with floral design. Floral Designers included:  Glenda Campbell, Lois Gressman, Judy Gore, Debbie Hughes, Sandy Kavouras, Theo Kavouras, Betty Mazzarella, Ena McGrattan, Brenda Norris, Jan Padgett, Chris Pendleton, Gloria Freitas Steidinger, Winnie Stone, Darlene Thompkins, Suzy Valentine, and Nancy Wheeler.

The following artists were inspiration for the floral designs:  Manfred Behr, Edison Botanic Research Lab and Edison Estate Banyan Tree; Augusta Crane, ceramic flower sconce; James DiGiorgio, Born of Fire; Pat Dunne, Sea Grapes; Marie Dyer, Parrot;  Karen Flanders, Dot Heart;  Kim Hambor, Edison Estate Bamboo Leaves and Edison Family Collage;  Leoma Lovegrove, Sea Tow and Firebird; Nadine Miller, Banana Leaf;  Bill North, Edison Seminole Lodge; Ellen Sheppard, Golden Sawgrass; Southwest Florida Quilters Guild, and Barbara Yeomans.

“The floral designs were spectacular,” said Pendleton.  “Nearly 300 ballots were cast from members of the Estates, Garden Clubs and visitors.  The exhibit was a huge success and the Estates plans to continue Art in Bloom every season.”

Estates Board of Trustee Helen Hendry; Estates president & CEO Chris Pendleton; Debbie Hughes and Ena McGrattan

Fort Myers-Lee County Garden Council president Mitzi Marckesano and husband Patrick

Estates Board of Trustee LD Bochette and Estates garden volunteer Mary Ann Sedlock

Group Experience at Edison & Ford Holiday Nights

The Edison & Ford Winter Estates is offering wonderful group experiences this holiday season.  This unique opportunity is available for groups of 20 or more and is perfect for businesses, clubs, and other organizations.  Contact the Estates Education Department at 239.334.7419 for more details.

Holiday Nights Group Experience, $55/person

Includes:

• Refreshments upon arrival
• Choice of Presentation (Holiday Traditions or Henry Ford & the Model T)
• A guided tour of the Edison Botanic Research Lab
• A behind-the-scenes tour inside the Edison and Ford homes
• Buffet dinner on the Ford Property
• Time to enjoy Holiday Nights; 20 acres of historically decorated homes and gardens

Available December 12, 2009 – January 2, 2010

Program begins at 2PM and concludes at 6PM leaving time for guests to see Holiday Nights.

Holiday Traditions: Take a step back in time and see how the Edisons, the Fords and the rest of America celebrated the holiday season throughout our history.

Henry Ford & the Model T: Henry Ford revolutionized travel and transportation with the Model T and the Assembly Line.  Learn about Henry Ford’s life, his accomplishments and his time here in Fort Myers.

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