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.