After a recent visit to the Edison and Ford Winter Estates, it is easy to understand why it is one of the most popular historic home sites in the country.
The first thing visitors see from the parking lot is a massive Banyan tree. Harvey Firestone gave this small tree to Thomas Edison in 1925 while they were working with Henry Ford to develop a source of natural rubber.
Behind the Banyan tree is the museum, gift shop, and botanic research laboratory. The museum holds some of Edison's inventions and Ford's automobiles, as well as, educational exhibits and videos. The lab is a step back in time and home to the original tools, equipment and machinery.
Across the street, lined with palm trees that Edison had brought in from Cuba, the estate homes, caretaker homes, gardens, swimming pool, pier, garages, and Edison's office have been restored to their original stature.
Behind the Banyan tree is the museum, gift shop, and botanic research laboratory. The museum holds some of Edison's inventions and Ford's automobiles, as well as, educational exhibits and videos. The lab is a step back in time and home to the original tools, equipment and machinery.
Across the street, lined with palm trees that Edison had brought in from Cuba, the estate homes, caretaker homes, gardens, swimming pool, pier, garages, and Edison's office have been restored to their original stature.
Edison's vacation home, "Seminole Lodge", was completed in 1886. He used the estate as a winter retreat while working on his botanic research until his death in 1931. Henry Ford's vacation home, "The Mangoes", is located next door. Ford purchased it in 1916 and spent many winters there while also working with Edison on botanic research.
Both residences take the visitor back to a bygone era with its sprawling porches and open-air buildings surrounded by acres of tropical greenery along the Caloosahatchee river. The Edison Ford Winter Estates offers something for both the history buff and the nature lover.
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