Today at Ford House
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Geese Are Nesting on Grounds
Spring is here, and that means some of our feathered friends are nesting on the grounds. While exploring, please be aware of geese, as they can be protective of their nests. For your safety, we advise all guests to walk at their own risk and give geese plenty of space. Thank you for helping us respect our wildlife! 🦆🌿
Visitor Journeys
Discover the Main Residence at Ford House: A Family’s Legacy of Art, Design, and Life Well-Lived
Whether visiting for the first time or returning to experience something new, Ford House offers something special every season. These guest journeys are designed to help you make the most of your visit, no matter your age, interests, or who you’re exploring with. From family-friendly adventures and elegant afternoons to creative workshops and romantic evenings, each seasonal guide highlights the experiences, events, and hidden gems that make Ford House unforgettable.
There is so much to explore and enjoy. Below are some suggested highlights but we invite you to explore our tours, events, and other opportunities and build out an experience that meets your interests.
🌳Spring at Ford House – Guest Journey Highlights
Families with Young Children
Celebrate the season with color, creativity, and connection.
- Activities: Storytime, scavenger hunts, spring blooms, and hands-on play
- Spring Favorites:
- Easter Brunch — with Easter Bunny meet-and-greet and selfie station
- Photos with the Easter Bunny — capture treasured memories
- Drop-In Studios — pop in and learn a new art skill
- Explorers — spark imagination and wonder through hands-on adventures in nature, science, and discovery
- Perfect For: Introducing kids to springtime nature, music, and storytelling
Lifelong Learners
Enjoy fresh air, gentle walks, and cultural enrichment.
- Activities: House tours, garden strolls, afternoon tea, and lectures
- Spring Favorites:
- Eleanor’s Birthday Tea & Tour — celebrate Mrs. Ford’s birthday with a delightful tea service and a self-paced exploration
- Bicknell Lectures — history-focused talks
- Coffee & Collections — exclusive Friends of Ford House guided experience
- Mother’s Day Brunch — elegant buffet and estate views
- Bird Walks — get to know our avian inhabitants
- Perfect For: A serene start to the year with art, history, and hospitality
Young Adults
Spring into creativity and connection.
- Activities: Brunches, art events, trivia nights, and garden walks
- Spring Favorites:
- Maker Studios — create something cool with your crew
- Trivia Night (21+) — competitive and casual fun
- Easter Brunch — perfect excuse for daytime gathering
- Ford House After Dark (21+) — intimate dinner and exclusive guided tour
- Perfect For: Reconnecting with friends and jumping into the new season
☀️ Summer at Ford House – Guest Journey Highlights
Families with Young Children
Enjoy sunshine, music, and magical moments by the water.
- Activities: Outdoor play, themed events, storytime under the trees, and lakeside fun
- Summer Favorites:
- Lake Fest — STEAM-focused learning and fun
- Travel Tales — a storytime program for children ages four and up that combines travel-themed stories with a hands-on art project
- Once Upon a Tea — storybook characters + tea party
- Storytime Tuesdays — free weekly readings + crafts
- Explorers — spark imagination and wonder through hands-on adventures in nature, science, and discovery
- Art Camp — a creative summer program where kids explore art through hands-on projects inspired by nature, history, and the estate’s surroundings
- Outdoor Summer Concert Series — bring a blanket, snacks, and dance together on the lawn
- Story Festival — a children’s literature experience
- Perfect For: A family-friendly evening of music, picnic vibes, and memories that last
Lifelong Learners
Relax and reconnect with nature, history, and beautiful music.
- Activities: Peaceful morning walks, garden visits, and elegant meals on the patio
- Summer Favorites:
- Eleanor’s Birthday Tea & Tour — celebrate Mrs. Ford’s birthday with a delightful tea service and a self-paced exploration
- Bird Walks & Garden Tours — enjoy the peace and tranquility while getting to know our flora and fauna
- Gardens & Recreation Guided Tour — a guided tour of our meticulously crafted gardens and grounds.
- Outdoor Summer Concert Series — low-stress seating, timeless tunes, and social energy
- Cabaret Over the Cove — live music, dessert bar, and lake views
- Mother’s Day Brunch — elegant buffet and estate views
- Paint Out & Fresh Paint Party — create artwork inspired by the estate’s scenic grounds, culminating in a lively celebration and showcase of their work
- Yoga & Pilates — classes set against the serene backdrop of the estate, promoting wellness, flexibility, and mindfulness for participants of all levels
- Guided House Tours — explore the Main Residence on a variety of specialty tours
- Perfect For: A tranquil but enriching experience, filled with seasonal beauty and refined entertainment
Young Adults
Soak up the season with music, friends, and stylish summer nights.
- Activities: Garden parties, creative workshops, lakeside hangs, and after-hours experiences
- Summer Favorites:
- Gather in the Garden — elevated garden party with champagne and live music
- Ford House After Dark (21+) — dinner at The Continental + exclusive house tour
- Maker Studios — hands-on, creative experiences with a social tone
- Outdoor Summer Concert Series — meet up, vibe out, and catch golden hour by the water
- Cabaret Over the Cove — chic evening event with cocktails, music, and dessert
- Paint Out & Fresh Paint Party — create artwork inspired by the estate’s scenic grounds, culminating in a lively celebration and showcase of their work
- Yoga & Pilates — classes set against the serene backdrop of the estate, promoting wellness, flexibility, and mindfulness for participants of all levels
- Guided House Tours — explore the Main Residence on a variety of specialty tours
- Perfect For: A carefree, unforgettable summer night of friends, music, and laughter
Other Guest Segments (Spring & Summer Highlights)
- Couples: Shakespeare Stroll, Outdoor Summer Concert Series, Gather in the Garden, Cabaret Over the Cove, Easter Brunch
- Friend Groups: Outdoor Summer Concert Series, Shakespeare Stroll, Trivia Night, Gather in the Garden, Easter Brunch
- School / Youth Groups: Lake Fest, Storytime Tuesdays, Travel Tales
- History Buffs: Preservation Tour, Design Through the Decades Guided Tour, Coffee & Collections, Bicknell Lectures
- Corporate Groups: Outdoor Summer Concert Series, Private house tours + catered lunch, Maker Studios, or garden experiences
- Photography Enthusiasts: Gather in the Garden, Golden hour on the waterfront, Rose Garden, and Playhouse photo ops
🍂 Fall at Ford House – Guest Journey Highlights
Families with Young Children
Celebrate the colors of the season with hands-on fun and festive traditions.
- Activities: Trick-or-treat trails, pumpkin crafts, pony rides, and animal encounters
- Fall Favorites:
- Family Workshop — hands-on, creative experiences designed for children and their caregivers to explore art, nature, and history together through fun and engaging projects
- Drop-In Studios — pop in and learn a new art skill
- Little Goblins — costumes, treat stations, and canvas tote decorating
- Harvest Day — vendors, pony rides, and petting zoo
- Perfect For: Outdoor play with autumn charm and community spirit
LIFELONG LEARNERS
Stroll through seasonal color and enjoy harvest-themed programming.
- Activities: Guided tours, foliage walks, and themed tea experiences
- Fall Favorites:
- Bird Walks — get to know our avian inhabitants
- Trivia Night (21+) — competitive and casual fun
- Ford House After Dark (21+) — dinner at The Continental + exclusive house tour
- Autumn Landscape Guided Tour — explore the estate’s vibrant fall foliage while learning about its historic landscape design, seasonal changes, and natural beauty
- Harvest Day — meet, learn from, and shop local vendors and makers
- Coffee & Collections — fall objects and history highlights
- Nooks & Crannies Guided Tour — an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at rarely seen spaces in the Main Residence, uncovering hidden details and stories that bring the estate’s history to life
- Perfect For: Slow-paced beauty and conversation in cozy, colorful surroundings
Young Adults
Fall into festive experiences and interactive fun.
- Activities: Seasonal dinners, costume nights, and mystery-themed events
- Fall Favorites:
- Harvest Day — meet, learn from, and shop local vendors and makers — competitive and casual fun
- Murder Mystery Dinner — dinner + drama in the Lake Shore Room
- Ford House After Dark (21+) — competitive and casual fun
- Trivia Night (21+) — competitive and casual fun
- Nooks & Crannies Guided Tour — an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at rarely seen spaces in the Main Residence, uncovering hidden details and stories that bring the estate’s history to life
- Harvest Day — meet, learn from, and shop local vendors and makers
- Perfect For: Autumn sophistication and fun with friends
❄️ Winter at Ford House – Guest Journey Highlights
Families with Young Children
Make memories wrapped in lights, snow, and holiday magic.
- Activities: Lighted walks, Santa meet-and-greets, winter crafts
- Winter Favorites:
- Home for the Holidays — light displays, Santa selfies, and elegant decor
- Cookies with Santa — crafts, snacks, and a one-on-one Santa moment
- Brunch with Santa — festive food + family tradition
- Drop-In Studios — pop in and learn a new art skill
- Storytime Tuesdays — free weekly readings + crafts
- Perfect For: Building joyful annual traditions for all ages
LIFELONG LEARNERS
Find peace and holiday charm in every room and garden path.
- Activities: Self-guided house tours, festive teas, and quiet walks
- Winter Favorites:
- Holiday Tea & Tour — a Christmas-inspired tea accompanied by a self-paced exploration
- Home for the Holidays — light displays, Santa selfies, and elegant decor
- Coffee & Collections — deep dive into the artifacts with our Material Culture team
- Main Residence Holiday Guided Tour — a festive look inside the elegantly decorated home, showcasing seasonal décor inspired by Eleanor Ford’s timeless style and holiday tradition
- Perfect For: Elegant, cozy, and meaningful seasonal outings
Young Adults
Celebrate the season with lights, cocktails, and a little sparkle.
- Activities: Holiday parties, elevated dining, music, and photo ops
- Winter Favorites:
- Christmas Cabaret Over the Cove — chic live performance with dessert
- Home for the Holidays — lights, music, and magic, perfect for a date night or an outing with friends
- Brunch with Santa — whimsical and surprisingly fun for adults too!
- Perfect For: Stylish holiday vibes and memorable nights out
Other Guest Segments (Fall & Winter Highlights)
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- Couples: Murder Mystery Dinner, Ford House After Dark, Home for the Holidays, Holiday Tea & Tour
- Friend Groups: Murder Mystery Dinner, Trivia Night, Home for the Holidays, Brunch with Santa
- School / Youth Groups: Little Goblins, Harvest Day, Holiday-themed educational activities
- History Buffs: Holiday House Tours,Driven by Design+ in the Garage at the Main Gate
- Corporate Groups: Murder Mystery Dinner, Holiday team outings, Private holiday tours
- Photography Enthusiasts: Fall foliage, Home for the Holidays lights
Special Thanks
Ford House is grateful for the generous support of Ford Motor Company Fund and helping us fulfill our educational mission and making Ford House more accessible to our community.

About Ford House
Ford House is a 501c3 nonprofit and National Historic Landmark. Experience the historic family home of Edsel Ford, the only son of Henry Ford, and his wife, Eleanor. Visitors from all over the world come to wander, wonder, and explore the beauty of this 1928 National Historic Landmark and uncover a unique piece of the American automotive story in metro Detroit. Learn more below.