{"id":301894,"date":"2026-06-09T23:05:09","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T23:05:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/301894\/"},"modified":"2026-06-09T23:05:09","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T23:05:09","slug":"celebrate-the-nations-250th-at-edison-and-ford-winter-estates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/301894\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrate the nation\u2019s 250th at Edison and Ford Winter Estates"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Edison and Ford Winter Estates (EFWE) will celebrate the nation\u2019s 250th anniversary of signing the Declaration of Independence with a series of \u201cStep into History\u201d presentations starting on June 29, and ending with honoring Mina Edison\u2019s birthday and special behind the scenes tours on July 6. Historians will present on a variety of topics, celebrating 250 years of innovation, courage, and patriotism.<\/p>\n

Throughout the site, patriotic d\u00e9cor and music will be evident. In the museum, five new panels will be displayed, featuring Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, their most important patents and projects, their wives, and information about Edison\u2019s involvement in the Naval Consulting Board during WWI and Ford\u2019s arsenal of democracy efforts during WWII. Patriotic bunting will be displayed on the historic homes and fences. <\/p>\n

The gardens will also feature patriotic symbols. The Ford citrus grove features a variety of citrus trees, including the orange blossom which is Florida\u2019s state flower. The citrus grove will be accented with caladiums to acknowledge Florida as the caladium capital of the world. Visitors can also tour the Florida native plant garden and imagine how the property may have looked 250 years ago. In addition, Mina Edison will be honored with a hibiscus feature at the Moonlight Garden. <\/p>\n

Presentations will be offered each day at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.: <\/p>\n

\u2022 Monday, June 29<\/p>\n

~ Henry Ford\u2019s Tri Motor<\/p>\n

~ Let There Be Light, Edison\u2019s Domestic Lighting Distribution System<\/p>\n

\u2022 Tuesday, June 30<\/p>\n

~ Here Comes the Train! Fort Myers Gets a Railroad<\/p>\n

~ General George Armstrong Custer<\/p>\n

\u2022 Wednesday, July 1<\/p>\n

~ How the Menge Brothers Transformed Fort Myers <\/p>\n

~ Molly Pitcher and Women of the Revolution<\/p>\n

\u2022 Thursday, July 2<\/p>\n

~ Electrifying Fort Myers<\/p>\n

~ 1776<\/p>\n

\u2022 Friday, July 3<\/p>\n

~ Cracker Cuisine<\/p>\n

~ Women Soldiers of the Civil War<\/p>\n

\u2022 Saturday, July 4<\/p>\n

~ In Defense of Fort Myers<\/p>\n

~ Edison and Ford and the First World War<\/p>\n

Then, on July 6, Mina Edison\u2019s 161st birthday will be honored. Throughout the day, historians will give special American history presentations, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., visitors will be able to interact with \u201cThomas Edison\u201d and \u201cUncle Sam\u201d living history characters. A special Inside-the-Homes Tour will be offered at 10 a.m., and Behind-the-Gates Edison Laboratory Tours will be held at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. <\/p>\n

Edison and Ford Winter Estates is an official stop on the America 250 Florida road trip map and the only stop within Lee County. A large sign is installed near the main parking lot for those wanting to document their stop with a selfie. The Florida Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial road trip map can be viewed at america250fl.com\/roadtrip<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Tickets for self-guided tours are $28 (free for EFWE members) and may be purchased at EdisonFord.org<\/a>. History presentations are included with admission. Tickets for the specialty Inside-the-Homes Tours are $50, and the Behind-the-Gates Edison Laboratory Tours are $40; those tickets should be purchased at the ticket counter. EFWE members will receive 50% off on tickets for the Inside-the-Homes Tours, and the member price for the Laboratory Tour is $30. Specialty tours are for adults and children at least 7 years of age. Visit EdisonFord.org<\/a> for additional information about the historic site. <\/p>\n


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