Henry fords plan to use water power to operate his hamilton plant wasnt a new idea. Clara and henry ford lived on this 32,000squarefoot estate, where they entertained such luminaries as charles lindbergh, the duke of windsor and president herbert hoover in their spacious mansion. Fair lane is located at 4901 evergreen road in dearborn. The city has a campus of the university of michigan as well as henry ford college. The edsel and eleanor ford house is a mansion located at 1100 lake shore drive in grosse pointe shores, northeast of detroit, michigan. The campaign for henry ford estate fair lane youtube. Before his funeral, over 100,000 people viewed his. Ford died on april 7, 1947, of a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of 83, near his dearborn estate, fair lane. Henry ford estate private or branded 3d virtual tours. Water from the rouge river had been generating electricity for his 56room mansion for almost six years before he opened the local tractor factory in april 1920. The two best books youll ever read on henry ford blog the. Construction of fairlane, the henry ford estate, began in 1914 with the generator wing of the powerhouse. From 1915, the henry ford estate fair lane, more commonly known as fair.
Henry ford estate closed for major renovations dearborn. Finding aid for the henry ford fair lane office records series, 18951951 author. Upon claras death, fair lane was given to ford motor company, and in 1957 ford donated the estate and the farmlands to the university of michigan for construction of the dearborn campus. The visiting info shown below, if any, is always subject to change. A fenced and guarded 1,300acre estate named fair lane. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you. Diners at henry ford estates and visitors to the popular historic landmark took in one last look, and meal, on dec.
With their fame and success soaring, henry and clara moved into fair lane in dearborn, mich. It was designed to accommodate eight passengers in four private rooms and included an observation lounge with platform, a dining room seating eight, and a fullyequipped kitchen with adjoining accommodation for the cook and porter. Clyde barrow endorses the ford v8, dearborn, michigan. For clara and henry ford, their estate, fair lane, was more than just a home. In 1966, the house and 72 acres of the estate was designated a national historic landmark.
After decades of neglect and subsequent states of ownership resulting in partial demolition, the property found its savior. Family home of automotive giant henry ford and wife, clara bryant ford, the fair lane estate tells the story of autmotive royalty set against the tranquil, pastoral setting of the property located along the rushing waters of the rouge river. Martin the 1915 house that henry and clara ford built on the rouge river in dearborn, michigan, is an intriguing blend of midwestern prairie school and english. In 1963 a local group, the women of fair lane, persuaded university officials to allow tours of the home, which continued until ford motor company and the university of michigan began using some of the rooms for administrative purposes. Fair lane is the historic home of clara and henry ford. Initially it was a fullsized car, but later became a midsized car from the 1962 model year. The newlywed dahlingers also curiously received a brannew mansion on fordowned land, upriver from henrys own fair lane estate. It was named after an area in cork in ireland where fords adoptive grandfather, patrick ahern, was born. When you secure your tickets in advance, youll receive an. Ford house is a blue star museum, and offers free admission to active military personnel and their families up to 5 guests, from armed services day through labor day.
They built the 31,000squarefoot estate as their dream home on 1,300 acres in dearborn, mich. Edsel and eleanor ford house grosse pointe, michigan. Henry and clara ford move into fair lane, a 1,300acre estate in dearborn, michigan. When she talks about clara, she always wears an angel pin that mimics a large angel embedded into the fireplace in the formal parlor at the ford. From 1915 to 1950 clara and henry ford called fair lane estate in dearborn, michigan their home. Fair lane was the estate of ford motor company founder henry ford and his wife, clara ford, in dearborn, michigan, in the united states. Our staff has taken a big step toward returning an organ just like henry and clara ford had to fair lane. In 1966 the estate was put onto michigans registry of historical landmarks and now is currently undergoing restoration efforts so that the estate can have its rightful place among history. He developed mass production of automobiles, and based the world headquarters of the ford motor company here. Ford also built them another lavish estate on lake huron, according to one article. Fair lane renovations will give visitors the experience of everyday. Edsel ford ii talks about the campaign to restore and reimagine fair lane, the home of his greatgrandparents, clara and henry ford.
Fair lane, henry ford estate ford, celebrity houses, historic homes. Henry and clara moved into fair lane in dearborn, mich. The fair lane papers are the personal ford family papers that were left at the ford estate called fair lane after clara ford died in 1950 henry. A life story written in stone, steel and blossom fair lane was henry and clara fords home for more than 30 years, and it was the culmination of hopes, dreams and hard work. Henry ford estate fair lane the fords built their mansion, fair lane, in dearborn, where they had both grown up. Conservators from atlanta, georgiabased rosebud company are working to restore fair lanes more than,740 square feet of aged oak floors using a passive refinishing process. Officials in the government worried that with henry at the helm. It was from infamous outlaw and car thief clyde barrow of bonnie and clyde, who offered his unsolicited and enthusiastic endorsement of the ford v8. Henry ford was born on a farm here and later established an estate in dearborn, as well as his river rouge complex, the largest factory of his ford empire. Fair lane, home of clara and henry ford, dearborn, michigan. Ford sold the fairlane between 1955 and 1970, with its name being derived from henry fords estate, fair lane, near dearborn, michigan. Henry ford estate fair lane university of michigan. Henry fords fair lane estate hosts historic restoration.
March 5 ford motor company buys fair lane from the ford heirs. Major work began in 1997, and in 2009, the eleanor and wilson greatbatch pavilion was opened to the public as a visitor. The home becomes a conference center and historic site open for tours. Tour of dearborn michigan the henry ford estate fair lane. The 0acre estate along the river rouge included a large limestone house, an electrical power plant on the dammed river, a greenhouse, a boathouse. Help make sure the next generation knows the story of clara and henry ford by supporting the campaign to restore and re. Once home to henry and clara ford, fair lane is undergoing a restoration of epic proportions.
In 1992, the martin house restoration corporation mhrc began raising the necessary funds to oversee the propertys complete restoration. After more than 100 years of standing guard in front of fair lane, the portecochere and entryway are getting some much needed tlc. Henry ford estate, university of michigandearborn, dearborn, mi. Doityourselfers can learn about things like caning, working with fabric and preserving antique furniture.
Fair lane, powerhouse,evergreen road, dearborn, mi. The henry ford estate fairlane dearborn, michigan best places. Henry fords fair lane estate hosts historic restoration workshops. In the 1970s, the house and the grounds were opened for public tours, and volunteers have continued to preserve and protect what is now known as the henry ford estate. Henry fords most popular book is my life and work the autobiography of henry ford. Its interior included a 4,000 book library, an auditorium, and a suite of rooms reserved for thomas edison, a close friend of the fords. For more information on touring and visiting the ford house, please call 38844222. Fair lane was ordered from the pullman company in 1920 to henry and clara fords specifications. Dec 17, 2016 rear of fair lane facing lower river rouge, built 1915 henry ford estate 4901 evergreen rd, dearborn, mi 48128. Fair lane renovations will give visitors the experience of. But henry ford estate hopes to reopen fair lane to the public for at least one day a week this year, depending on the progress of renovations, to give visitors already attempting to peek in the windows a glimpse of whats happening inside. From 1915 to 1950, clara and henry ford called dearborn, michigan home, staying in their beloved residence known as fair lane. Finding aid for the henry ford fair lane office records.
Henry ford estate dearborn 2020 all you need to know. Henry ford hamilton hydraulic newspaper columns by jim. On april, 1934, a handwritten letter arrived in detroit addressed to henry ford. The life of henry ford american experience official. May 7 ford motor company archives dedicated at fair lane by eleanor ford and her sons. These were ideas that changed the world, and the fords were people of action and ingenuity. Powerhouse at fair lane estate, 1928 the henry ford.
Fair lane, home of clara and henry ford upcoming events are available for purchase online. After clara fords death in 1950, the ford motor company took ownership of the estate, and in 1953 it became the companys corporate archives and a retreat. The fair lane grounds are currently closed to all visitors. Fair lane was much more than a simple domestic haven. How a farmer boy rose to the power that goes with many millions. Fair lane, home of clara and henry ford home facebook.
The historic structures of the estate, including the main. The music room at fair lane has undergone an incredible amount of work. Fair lane estate was the home of henry and clara ford check out tripadvisor members 5,618 candid photos and videos of henry ford estate. Henry ford has 88 books on goodreads with 392 ratings. Edsel ford was the son of henry ford and an executive at ford motor company. Henry ford estate, dearborn michigan wedding venues.
Is this a mustdo if you are traveling with a big group. November 1, 1916 edsel ford, age 22, marries eleanor clay, niece of the founder of hudsons, detroits. More than 100 years later, we are bringing back fair lane to be a place of discovery, exploration and inspiration. Henry and clara fords estate, fair lane, was finished in 1916 and has gone through many changes over the years. Fair lanes gardens and grounds are closed until further notice in compliance. Jens jensen, elizabeth murphy, school of architecture and environmental design kent state university, et al. A family can read this work together and then choose to experience the working powerhouse on site at the henry ford estatefair lane, or visit the upper peninsula site of the pequaming mill and school on the shores of lake superior, or enjoy the grand ole opry that henry ford helped establish. Visitor centers dearborn area chamber of commerce 2 michigan ave. The unofficial ford historian, who coincidentally enough is named ford r. Fair lane estate was the home of henry and clara ford.
Fair lane, home of clara and henry ford via thundertix. He had been living with hydropower since 1914 at his 1,300acre estate, fair lane, in dearborn, mich. Henry ford estatefair lane is on the campus of the university of michigandearborn at 4901 evergreen rd. The house became the new residence of the edsel and eleanor ford family in 1928. Henry ford estate home of clara and henry ford, est. Fair lane home of clara and henry ford follow the project. Please check the facilitys website for the latest information before making a trip. Fair lane was the name of the estate of ford motor company founder henry ford and his wife. This impressive gatehouse controls the main entrance to the estate.
Restoring fair lane, the henry ford estate period homes. Henry fords private railroad car fair lane, 1921 the. It was a place where they took simple ideas and turned them into actions that opened the highway to all mankind. Henry died at his dearborn estate, fair lane, at the age of eightythree. Powerhouse at fair lane estate, 1928 add to set contact us about this share. Fair lane, powerhouse, 4901 evergreen road, dearborn, mi. Ford was an avid collector of americana, with a particular interest. Watch henry ford american experience official site pbs. The name is derived from henry fords estate, fair lane, near dearborn, michigan. Henry fords passion for selfsufficiency led him to dam the adjacent rouge river and build his own waterpowered electric generators. The henry ford fair lane office records series consists of correspondence, financial papers, expense reports, and legal papers once maintained by leslie j. Bryan, mentions the dahlingers in his book, beyond the model t.
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