Edison & Ford Winter Estates Museum

Highlights / General details

Visitors to the Edison & Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers will enjoy 20 acres of historical buildings, historic gardens, the Edison Botanic Research Lab and the Edison Ford Museum. The newly restored buildings include the Edison Main House, Guest House, and Caretaker’s House and the Ford House. The 1929 historic landscape is throughout the property including the award winning Moonlight Garden. The Edison Ford Museum has hundreds of inventions, artifacts and special exhibits. Edison Estate: When you visit Thomas A. Edison's winter estate, you enter a world unlike any other. The furnishings and architecture of these gracious, rambling buildings are reminiscent of a bygone era. Ford Estate: Henry Ford purchased his home in 1916, providing him the opportunity to vacation with Thomas Edison. The Ford porch, adjacent to the vintage garage, offers a spectacular riverfront view of the Calhoosahatchee River. The Ford Caretaker’s Cottage was used as a garage and caretaker's home for the Ford family. Banyan Tree: Believed to have been planted around 1925 and is one of the largest banyan trees in the continental United States. Edison Caretaker's House: This house is the oldest structure at the Estates. A one room section of the house existed when Edison purchased the property and Edison expanded the building over the years to be used by various estate workers. Pier & Fountain: The pier was the first structure to be built after Edison acquired the property and was used to bring building materials from barges to construct the Estates. At one time it extended approximately 1,500 square feet to deeper water and was outfitted with boathouses, benches, and a summerhouse. Wizard Invents Gallery: For people of all ages, this exhibit presents a timeline of Edison’s inventions beginning with first commercially sold Edison invention, the stock ticker, as well as the progression of the light bulb.

Inclusion

Admission ticket to museum. Guided and Self-Guided Tours with Audio Wands available (English, German, Spanish and French). Museum Store Garden Shoppe Historic Cottage Shoppe Edison Ford Guidebooks are available with ticket purchase for additional $3.00 Maps available in English, German, French and Spanish

Exclusion

Transportation and food are not included.

Hours of operation

Open daily from 9:00am - 5:30pm. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas

Location Located at 2350 McGregor Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL 33901

Additional Information Wheel chairs are available on a first come, first served basis. ADA accessible with parking located at Edison Ford entrance Bus & RV parking available Wear comfortable walking shoes - guided tours are approximately one mile and 60 minutes in length Picnic area available with tables

Location

Located at 2350 McGregor Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL 33901

Additional Information Wheel chairs are available on a first come, first served basis. ADA accessible with parking located at Edison Ford entrance Bus & RV parking available Wear comfortable walking shoes - guided tours are approximately one mile and 60 minutes in length Picnic area available with tables

Policies Service animals are the only animals permitted on property. Tours and access to the west side (Homes & Gardens) of the Edison Ford may be canceled in the event of inclement weather. In the event of inclement weather, Edison Ford Security will assist you to shelter. In the event you have purchased Complete Estates Tour tickets and the weather changes, please have your ticket signed by a staff member for free admission to use on an alternative day. Smoking is not permitted on historical grounds

All information requested must be supplied or booking is subject to automatic cancellation