May 7 ford motor company archives dedicated at fair lane by eleanor ford and her sons. The name is derived from henry fords estate, fair lane, near dearborn, michigan. He developed mass production of automobiles, and based the world headquarters of the ford motor company here. The 0acre estate along the river rouge included a large limestone house, an electrical power plant on the dammed river, a greenhouse, a boathouse.
Henry ford estate home of clara and henry ford, est. These were ideas that changed the world, and the fords were people of action and ingenuity. Fair lane, home of clara and henry ford home facebook. Henry ford estate fair lane the fords built their mansion, fair lane, in dearborn, where they had both grown up. Henry and clara ford move into fair lane, a 1,300acre estate in dearborn, michigan. March 5 ford motor company buys fair lane from the ford heirs. The life of henry ford american experience official. The visiting info shown below, if any, is always subject to change. The two best books youll ever read on henry ford blog the. Henry ford estate fair lane university of michigan.
From 1915 to 1950 clara and henry ford called fair lane estate in dearborn, michigan their home. Ford was an avid collector of americana, with a particular interest. Fair lane, henry ford estate ford, celebrity houses, historic homes. A fenced and guarded 1,300acre estate named fair lane. 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. Fair lane renovations will give visitors the experience of. Henry ford has 88 books on goodreads with 392 ratings. The city has a campus of the university of michigan as well as henry ford college. Fair lane, powerhouse,evergreen road, dearborn, mi. The historic structures of the estate, including the main.
In 1966, the house and 72 acres of the estate was designated a national historic landmark. Help make sure the next generation knows the story of clara and henry ford by supporting the campaign to restore and re. After decades of neglect and subsequent states of ownership resulting in partial demolition, the property found its savior. Fair lane is the historic home of clara and henry ford. The newlywed dahlingers also curiously received a brannew mansion on fordowned land, upriver from henrys own fair lane estate. 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.
The edsel and eleanor ford house is a mansion located at 1100 lake shore drive in grosse pointe shores, northeast of detroit, michigan. Please check the facilitys website for the latest information before making a trip. When you secure your tickets in advance, youll receive an. Henry fords most popular book is my life and work the autobiography of henry ford. 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. 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. For clara and henry ford, their estate, fair lane, was more than just a home. Henry ford estate dearborn 2020 all you need to know.
Edsel ford was the son of henry ford and an executive at ford motor company. 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. Fair lane home of clara and henry ford follow the project. Henry fords fair lane estate hosts historic restoration.
Finding aid for the henry ford fair lane office records. 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. They built the 31,000squarefoot estate as their dream home on 1,300 acres in dearborn, mich. Henry and clara moved into fair lane in dearborn, mich. Henry ford estate, university of michigandearborn, dearborn, mi.
How a farmer boy rose to the power that goes with many millions. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you. Construction of fairlane, the henry ford estate, began in 1914 with the generator wing of the powerhouse. 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. For more information on touring and visiting the ford house, please call 38844222. Henry ford estate, dearborn michigan wedding venues. Henry and clara fords estate, fair lane, was finished in 1916 and has gone through many changes over the years. 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. Fair lane renovations will give visitors the experience of everyday. Is this a mustdo if you are traveling with a big group. Powerhouse at fair lane estate, 1928 the henry ford. Henry fords passion for selfsufficiency led him to dam the adjacent rouge river and build his own waterpowered electric generators. Fair lane was much more than a simple domestic haven.
Finding aid for the henry ford fair lane office records series, 18951951 author. The campaign for henry ford estate fair lane youtube. With their fame and success soaring, henry and clara moved into fair lane in dearborn, mich. Edsel and eleanor ford house grosse pointe, michigan. Henry fords fair lane estate hosts historic restoration workshops. Fair lane, home of clara and henry ford upcoming events are available for purchase online. Henry died at his dearborn estate, fair lane, at the age of eightythree.
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. 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. Dec 17, 2016 rear of fair lane facing lower river rouge, built 1915 henry ford estate 4901 evergreen rd, dearborn, mi 48128. Major work began in 1997, and in 2009, the eleanor and wilson greatbatch pavilion was opened to the public as a visitor. The fair lane grounds are currently closed to all visitors. Jens jensen, elizabeth murphy, school of architecture and environmental design kent state university, et al.
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. It was named after an area in cork in ireland where fords adoptive grandfather, patrick ahern, was born. Edsel ford ii talks about the campaign to restore and reimagine fair lane, the home of his greatgrandparents, clara and henry ford. After more than 100 years of standing guard in front of fair lane, the portecochere and entryway are getting some much needed tlc. Clyde barrow endorses the ford v8, dearborn, michigan. Ford sold the fairlane between 1955 and 1970, with its name being derived from henry fords estate, fair lane, near dearborn, michigan. The house became the new residence of the edsel and eleanor ford family in 1928. 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. Visitor centers dearborn area chamber of commerce 2 michigan ave. Fair lane, home of clara and henry ford via thundertix. Henry ford estatefair lane is on the campus of the university of michigandearborn at 4901 evergreen rd. The home becomes a conference center and historic site open for tours.
The henry ford estate fairlane dearborn, michigan best places. Initially it was a fullsized car, but later became a midsized car from the 1962 model year. Henry ford estate closed for major renovations dearborn. Henry ford hamilton hydraulic newspaper columns by jim. Our staff has taken a big step toward returning an organ just like henry and clara ford had to fair lane. From 1915 to 1950, clara and henry ford called dearborn, michigan home, staying in their beloved residence known as fair lane. Bryan, mentions the dahlingers in his book, beyond the model t. Tour of dearborn michigan the henry ford estate fair lane. 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.
Fair lanes gardens and grounds are closed until further notice in compliance. Fair lane was the estate of ford motor company founder henry ford and his wife, clara ford, in dearborn, michigan, in the united states. Ford also built them another lavish estate on lake huron, according to one article. The music room at fair lane has undergone an incredible amount of work.
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. Fair lane was ordered from the pullman company in 1920 to henry and clara fords specifications. Fair lane estate was the home of henry and clara ford. November 1, 1916 edsel ford, age 22, marries eleanor clay, niece of the founder of hudsons, detroits.
He had been living with hydropower since 1914 at his 1,300acre estate, fair lane, in dearborn, mich. Ford died on april 7, 1947, of a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of 83, near his dearborn estate, fair lane. The unofficial ford historian, who coincidentally enough is named ford r. Powerhouse at fair lane estate, 1928 add to set contact us about this share. More than 100 years later, we are bringing back fair lane to be a place of discovery, exploration and inspiration.
It was a place where they took simple ideas and turned them into actions that opened the highway to all mankind. 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. Watch henry ford american experience official site pbs. 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. 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. Henry ford estate private or branded 3d virtual tours. Officials in the government worried that with henry at the helm. 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 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. Diners at henry ford estates and visitors to the popular historic landmark took in one last look, and meal, on dec. Restoring fair lane, the henry ford estate period homes. Doityourselfers can learn about things like caning, working with fabric and preserving antique furniture.
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. Before his funeral, over 100,000 people viewed his. The henry ford fair lane office records series consists of correspondence, financial papers, expense reports, and legal papers once maintained by leslie j. 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. Fair lane, home of clara and henry ford, dearborn, michigan. Henry fords plan to use water power to operate his hamilton plant wasnt a new idea. From 1915, the henry ford estate fair lane, more commonly known as fair.
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