Edison & Ford Winter Estates Awarded $50,000 Grant

 The Edison & Ford Winter Estates has been awarded a $50,000 preservation grant for restoration of the Edison Botanic Laboratory by the Florida Legislature through the Bureau of Historic Preservation, Division of Historical Resources, Florida Department of State, assisted by the Florida Historical Commission.  The Edison Botanic Laboratory is located at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers, Florida.

The Edison Botanic Laboratory was a project of Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone who were searching for a viable source of organic rubber which could be grown and produced in Southwest Florida.  Through their work, they discovered that goldenrod leaves would  produce the latex to be distilled for a commercial source of rubber.  The Laboratory and the surrounding research gardens were active in the 1920’s and 1930’s and established the winter homes of the two inventors as a center for plant research.  Today, the site is one of the most visited historic home sites in America and serves more than 200,000 visitors and school children every year. 

The grant from the State of Florida is part of a total $630,000 project for restoration of the original 1928 laboratory structure.  Additional funds have also been received from The 1772 Foundation, HUD EDI grants, the Edison Ford Winter Estates Foundation, and the Edison & Ford Winter Estates, Inc. It is planned that the laboratory building will re main open throughout the project. Architects for the project are Parker Mudgett Smith.  Chris-Tel Company is the restoration contractor. 

Last year, the Edison & Ford Winter Estates received the top award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation for restoration of the Edison and Ford buildings along the river, and this year the site received the top national award for restoration of the historic landscape from the National Garden Clubs Inc. 

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.

Print a Fish T-Shirt for Dad and Visit on Father’s Day

What:   Fish Printing Workshop & FREE admission for Fathers
When: Workshop on Saturday, June 19, Noon until 3 PM
            FREE admission for Dad’s on Sunday, June 20, all day 
Where:   Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers
Who:  Fathers, Grandfathers, children – bring the entire family

Join guest artists and architects for a Fish Printing Workshop (also known as gyotaku, the Japanese art of fish printing) at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates in the Edison Caretaker’s House on June 19 from Noon – 3 PM.    Participating artists include Karen Flanders, City of Fort Myers Councilman and architect Mike Flanders and Parker Mudgett Smith architect Sean Gilmore.   Local real fish will be provided by the Edison Fish Market.

For a one of a kind gift for Dad, participants will create fish print t-shirts or fish prints on other clothing.  The Estates will furnish the fish, paint, and skill for participants to make a lasting keepsake of the day and a great Father’s Day gift 

Both the Edison and Ford families were well known for their love of fishing and fish.  It is not known if they tried gyotaku although the art form has been around for centuries as it was the first method for recording information about fish by printing the fish impression on rice paper. 

The workshop is FREE (a $5 donation is suggested which goes toward Estates Summer Camp scholarships) and participants are encouraged to bring their own shirts or printable fabric.  The Estates will have some t-shirts in limited sizes available for purchase.

On Father’s Day, June 20th,  Dads will be admitted FREE to tour the Estates accompanied with their paid child.    FREE admission for dad’s includes a tour of the newly restored homes, the historical botanical gardens, the Estates Museum and the Edison Research Laboratory.

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.

Lee County to Host Florida Trust for Historic Preservation’s 32nd Annual Statewide Conference on May 13 through 15, 2010

Historic preservationists and advocates from around the state of Florida will soon gather in Fort Myers and Lee County, Fla., for the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation’s Annual Conference. Destination Preservation the 32nd Annual Statewide Preservation Conference will take place May 13 – 15, 2010, at the Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa in Fort Myers.

An announcement of the historic properties in Florida included on the 2010 Florida’s Eleven Most Endangered Historic Sites will be made on May 13, 2010, during the opening session. The Most Endangered Historic Sites program is designed to increase the public’s awareness of the urgent need to save Florida’s neglected or threatened historic resources and nominated properties are reviewed by a designated Most Endangered committee.

Preservation-specific classes will complement programs focused on downtown revitalization and development, and neighborhood design. Included in the schedule of historic site management workshops will be topics related to business management and marketing planning, collaboration and partnership development, and identifying funding sources in today’s economy. The conference program also includes a walking tour in the Historic Downtown Fort Myers which has undergone a terrific and exciting revitalization and restoration in recent years. An architecture and restoration tour is scheduled at the nearby Edison & Ford Winter Estates, and several tours will showcase the rich history of the Lee County area, display the balance between growth and development and its impact on the state’s agricultural heritage, and participants will learn about cultural landscape assessment methods.

“The upcoming conference offers something for everyone involved with and passionate about historic preservation,” said Mathias Bergendahl, Executive Director of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation. “Architects specializing in historical restoration, city planners interested in learning about historic preservation efforts in Florida cities and neighborhoods, board members of a non-profit looking to secure funding for preservation projects, or preservation advocates seeking ideas for how to effectively communicate their message to legislators will benefit from attending.”

“Lee County is proud to host the conference for the first time in two decades,” said Chris Pendleton, Edison & Ford Winter Estates President & CEO and Trustee of Florida Trust for Historic Preservation. “The conference will include workshops, seminars, tours and events throughout the county.”  Pendleton serves as State Chair of the conference. Other local committee members include William Grace and Gina Taylor of Lee Trust for Historic Preservation, Local Chairs; Lisa Sbuttoni of Edison & Ford Winter Estates, Events Chair; Jared Beck of City of Fort Myers  and Merry Coffman of Edison & Ford Winter Estates, Tours and Transportation Co-Chairs; Theresa Schober of City of Fort Myers Beach, Workshop Chair; Naomi Goren  of Edison & Ford Winter Estates and Pam Brown of Lee County Visitor & Convention Center, Volunteers Co-Chairs; Jeff Mudgett and Michele Gouley of Parker Mudgett Smith Architects, Restoration Marketplace Co-Chairs; Pamela Johnson of Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau, Graphics and Design Co-Chairs.

Founded in 1978, the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation promotes the preservation of the architectural, historical and archaeological heritage of Florida through advocacy, education and stewardship of historic properties. The Florida Trust advocates for the protection of historically significant properties and as part of its membership program offers free or reduced admissions and other special benefits at over 80 historic sites, museums and parks across the state of Florida.

For more information, please contact the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation at (850) 224-8128 or visit www.floridatrust.org.

Garden Hat Project to benefit Edison & Ford Winter Estates Education Programs

Mina Edison loved hats as did many of the fashionable ladies of her time.  They were beautifully adorned with lace, feathers, jewels, veils and other additions which were crafted of straw, organdy, felt and other materials. 

In honor of the first Garden Brunch at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates, February 12 several notable women in the community have decorated hats.  The hats will be on display at Saks Fifth Avenue, Bell Tower Shops from February 5 – 10, 2010.  In addition to this display, Saks Fifth Avenue has collected vintage hats from the 1920’s –1960’s that will also be on exhibit.

“Turquoise Sunbeams” by Jewelry Maker, Anita Singh

“A WINK and A Smile” by WINK News Anchor, Lois Thome

“Belly Dancer” by Parker Mudgett Smith Architect, Michele Gouley

“Black Magic” by Nicole Long of Saks Fifth Avenue

“Calla Lady” inspired by Mrs. Clara Ford

“Guns N Roses” by Artist, Piper Rudlich

“Happy Sunny Smiles” by Community Volunteer, Margie Black-Willis

“Lady in Red & Purple” by an Anonymous Decorator

designed by Artist, Leoma Lovegrove

“Not the Edison’s Peacocks!” by Estates President & CEO, Chris Pendleton

“Orchid Lane” inspired by Mrs. Mina Edison

“Peacock Charms” by Pure Love Organics President, Rachel Peacock

“Country Gardener” by Estates Horticulturist, Debbie Hughes

The hats will be on display at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates on February 11 and will be auctioned off February 12 at the Brunch with Mrs. Edison, Living with a Genius event at the Estates. 

In addition to the hat auction, Brunch with Mrs. Edison, Living with a Genius will include brunch amidst the beautiful historic plantings and theatre in the gardens by professional actress, Nan Colton. Living with a Genius is a witty, one–woman show that engages the audience in what it is like to live with a genius – in this case Mina Edison and husband, Thomas Edison.  Colton is well known for her charming representation of historic women and includes storytelling and audience involvement.  Two performances are scheduled:  February 12 and 13 at 11AM and attendees are encouraged to wear hats!

Reservations are required by calling 239-334-7419.  Estates Members $50, nonmembers $60.  The project benefits the Estates Education Program.