Step Into History Digital Edition: Artist Florence Keen Sansom
Join lead historian Cristina Mayor in sharing the history and work of Florence Keen Sansom, the artist born in the Edison caretakers cottage. As a Florida native Sansom’s family has deep ties to the establishment of many Southwest Florida cities, including Fort Myers. If you are interested in exploring Sansom’s use of Florida history and memory in her art, join our free digital discussion. Click here to register.
Or click here to see our archives.
VIP Tour – Ybor City and St. Petersburg
Ybor City Historic Walking Tour, Lunch and Flamenco Show at Columbia Restaurant and Jungle Prada History Tour/American Indian Mound
Today Ybor City is known as Tampa’s National Historic Landmark District, but in the 1880’s it was a melting pot of immigrants from Spain, Cuba, Germany and Italy and home to some of the world’s most famous cigar factories. More than 230 factories were located here, employing 12,000 tabaqueros (cigar makers) and producing over half a billion cigars a year.
The rich history of Ybor encompasses manufacturing, immigration, organized crime and revolution. Join us on a stroll back in time with a local guide who will talk about the history, architecture and ambience that make up this unique community.
Next, we will enjoy a private, catered lunch at the Columbia Restaurant. Established in 1905 by Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernandez, Sr. in the heart of Ybor City. Following lunch, the Maria Seville Spanish Dance Company will perform the traditional dance of Spain: The flamenco! The music, the colorful costumes and the passion of the dance will transport you to the famous flamenco cafes of Barcelona and Madrid.
The final stop of the day will take us to St. Petersburg for the Jungle Prada History Tour and location of the Narvaez-Tocobaga Indian Mound, a National Register of Historic Places. We will hear about the rich history of this area from David Anderson who is the grandson of the original property owner of the Anderson/Narvaez archaeological site. David is a University of Florida alumnus, a certified horticulture professional and he was previously a historian at Edison Ford. David will uncover one of the best-preserved Pre-Columbian, Native American sites in the state that was also the landing site of Spanish explorer Panfilo De Narvaez in 1528. We will see up close the Narvaez-Tocobaga American Indian Mound and hear stories of their life and survival here in Florida. David will share his vast knowledge so you will not want to miss this historical and botanical experience.
The cost of this tour is $150 for Edison Ford members and $165 for non-members and includes transportation, snacks, tours and lunch. Join our Membership Program and take advantage of all of our discounts.
Cancellation Policy – There are no refunds 14 days before the tour date unless your vacancy can be filled.
Edison and Ford Winter Estates reserves the right to make changes as needed based on availability.
For reservations, contact Sherri Muske at smuske@edisonford.org or 239-335-3677.
Digital Discussion: The Minnesota Twins Spring Training History
In February 1925 history was changed in Fort Myers with the arrival of the Philadelphia Athletics and their manager Connie Mack. This began a history of spring training in Fort Myers that continues to this day. The first four teams to play spring training baseball in Fort Myers played in historic Terry Park.
When the Minnesota Twins began spring training in 1991 they had a ballpark built especially for them known as Hammond Stadium. The Twins continue to play in Fort Myers to this day. Learn all about their storied history and join museum manager Holly Shaffer for this free virtual presentation. Click here to register.
Also, if you are in the area, make plans to join us for our celebration of 100 years of spring training in Fort Myers on February 20!
VIP Tour – Palm Beach
VIP Tour – Palm Beach
Saturday, January 18, 2025 – Depart 7:00 a.m. – Return approximately 5:30 p.m.
Flagler Museum and Palm Beach County History Museum
Henry Morrison Flagler was a founding partner of Standard Oil, the largest and most profitable company in the world for more than a century. After his retirement from Standard Oil, Henry Flagler built the Florida East Coast Railway from Jacksonville to Miami and soon after, the Overseas extension to connect Miami to Key West. Flagler established modern Florida through the transportation infrastructure and tourism and agricultural industries that remain today.
Join the Edison and Ford Winter Estates for a guided tour of Henry Flagler’s winter home Whitehall, in Palm Beach. Flagler built the 75-room, 100,000-square-foot Gilded Age mansion as a gift for his third wife, Mary Lily Kenan Flagler. We will have a docent-led tour of the first floor of the home, after which, you can take a self-guided tour of the second floor of the home.
For lunch we will be treated to a Gilded Age style tea service in the Railcar No. 91 tea room. Enjoy waterfront views of the West Palm Beach skyline while enjoying a century old tradition of afternoon tea. The menu includes a selection of savory sandwiches, traditional scones, and a variety of sweets, complemented by the Museum’s own Whitehall Special Blend tea and berry sweetened lemonade. Each table is set for service using exquisite Whitehall Collection china. There will be extra time to visit the H.M. Flagler & Co. Museum Store before departing for our next destination.
Next, we will have a private guided tour of the Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum. The museum maintains a large archive on the history of Palm Beach County, Florida and the Caribbean. The museum documents the people and events that have shaped Palm Beach County as well as the cultures and communities, failures and successes of life in Palm Beach County. The creation of the museum has made it possible to share and showcase the rich history of Palm Beach County and the larger context of Florida’s heritage dating back at least 12,000 years.
The cost of this tour is $150 for Edison Ford members and $165 for non-members and includes transportation, snacks, tours and lunch. Join our Membership Program and take advantage of all of our discounts.
Cancellation Policy – There are no refunds 14 days before the tour date unless your vacancy can be filled.
Edison and Ford Winter Estates reserves the right to make changes as needed based on availability.
For reservations, contact Sherri Muske at smuske@edisonford.org or 239-335-3677. Deadline to reserve is December 30, 2024.
Valentine’s Day Cocktail Chemistry Class
Bring a friend or significant other and learn how to make cocktails and enjoy a beautiful view!
Class includes:
• Welcome Cocktail
• 2 Cocktails (made in the class taught by Nauti Beach)
• Passed Appetizers (from Personal Touch Catering)
• 2-Piece Box of Chocolates from Norman Love Confections
• Class will be held along the river in our pavilion
• Chance to see a spectacular sunset
Tickets Per Person: $90 for non-members; $80 for Edison Ford members
Registration required. Tickets may be purchased online, or you may call and ask for the events or marketing department and we’ll get you registered.
Tickets will be available in January.
Yoga By the River
Step away from all the 21st century gadgets and focus on the moment. All skill levels welcome. The class is taught by Bonnie D’Angelo, a certified yoga instructor. Bring a yoga mat, water, and towel.
Tickets are available at the museum ticket counter. Admission to the site is not included.
Edison Ford members: $15; non-members: $20
Silk Scarf Painting Class with Artist Marie Dyer
If you need some time to relax and unwind, join us for a silk scarf painting class with Marie Dyer surrounded by Edison’s gardens. You will leave the class with a silk scarf that can be worn or hung as a piece of artwork. All materials are included in the fee.
No experience is required. Space is limited; click here to register.
Members: $90, non-members: $100
Step into History Digital Edition – The Calusa of Southwest Florida
Join Lead Historian Isaac Hunter for the next Digital Step into History. Isaac will be discussing the Calusa. The Native American Tribe of Southwest Florida, w ho resided right here in Fort Myers.
Click here to register.
A Calusa shell mound illustration.
Veteran’s Day
To honor those who served our country, veterans will be admitted free on Veterans Day. (Offer good for the veteran only, with identification.)
