A Classic Holiday Destination: Edsel & Eleanor Ford House
Historic Home Celebrates 80 Years of Memories with
Special Teas, Tours, and Gingerbread House Display
GROSSE POINTE SHORES, Mich., (Nov. 24, 2009) – There’s nothing more comforting than a family home decorated for the holidays – especially one steeped in eight decades of memories.
The sights and sounds of Christmastime at Edsel & Eleanor Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores are a must-see attraction, from original glass ornaments made in the 1950s to a player piano equipped with Christmas tunes and a gift shop stocked with unique holiday gifts for everyone on your list.
Edsel and Eleanor Ford moved their family into the home, at Gaukler Pointe in Grosse Pointe Shores, during the holiday season 80 years ago. Family matriarch Eleanor Ford lived in the home, where her four children and many grandchildren would gather each Christmas, until her death in 1976. The home opened to the public in 1978.
“The year they moved in, Henry and Clara joined Eleanor, Edsel and the four children for Christmas in their new home, and they began a tradition of Ford Family memories. Our many special events and holiday tours are a distinctive opportunity for friends and family of all ages to share their own memories, and discover new ones,” said Kathleen Mullins, president of Ford House.
The mainstay of the season at Ford House is the delightful holiday tour. From the flocked modern tree adorned with original pink and purple teardrop shaped glass ornaments made especially for a party hosted by Eleanor Ford, to the15-foot Christmas tree in the grand Gallery space where many holiday galas where held, each room is decorated in the season’s best and tells a unique story about how the Ford family shared holiday traditions.
A favorite spot among children of all ages is the charming Play House, a 2/3 scale Tudor style escape, which was a gift to the Fords’ daughter Josephine from her grandma Clara. Decorated for the season in a playful gingerbread theme, it’s also the spot where Santa can be found during the ever popular Nutcracker Teas.
Holiday tours run November 27 through January 3 and are given 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and $6 for children 6-12 years old; children 5 years old and under are free. The house is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
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