January 14, 2021
Thomas Edison’s Birthday Celebrated all Month Long at Edison and Ford Winter Estates
FORT MYERS, Fla. (January 14, 2021) — This year, Edison and Ford Winter Estates is celebrating Thomas Edison’s 174th
Students from the Edison Park Creative and Expressive Arts School perform at Edison and Ford Winter Estates in honor of Thomas Edison.
birthday all month long with a series of events, including a virtual birthday party on February 11. As part of the celebration, students from the Edison Park Creative and Expressive Arts School will sing, dance and play stringed instruments as they usually do, but this year, they will perform at their school and a recording will be shown on Facebook for all Thomas Edison fans. The birthday party is sponsored in part by the Edison Festival of Light, the organization founded in 1938 to memorialize Thomas Edison.
VIP Tours
The VIP Tours are returning with a trip to the Peace River Botanical and Sculpture Garden on February 6. Participants will get to tour the 30-acre preserved native habitat from expansive boardwalks surrounding rare plants and world-class sculptures. The group will stop at Fisherman’s Village in Punta Gorda for lunch and time for shopping. Then, at 3 p.m., a 3.5-hour boat eco-tour with interpretation by naturalists from the well-known Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center will start. The tour will cover flora and fauna of the four different ecosystems along the winding Peace River. Reservations are being accepted for 30 guests on a 55-passenger bus to allow for social distancing. Cost: $125 for Edison Ford members and $135 for non-members.
Digital Discussion
In honor of Thomas Edison’s birthday, the monthly Digital Discussion on February 9 at 10:30 a.m. will focus on Thomas Edison, his family, and their connections to the military. This will include Thomas Edison’s work with the Naval Consulting Board, Mina Edison’s brother Theodore Miller who was killed during the Spanish American War and many other family members. This Digital Discussion is a free virtual lecture. Registration is required.
Gardening Class
A gardening class on choosing and caring for palms in Southwest Florida will be offered on February 9 at 1:30 p.m. This program will cover some of the 2000 different species of palms, including approximately 100 different varieties growing at the Estates. This class is for anyone who wants to grow palms or perhaps wants to impress their visitors with palm tree knowledge. Participants will learn about native and exotic palms, the unique needs of different species, and why to choose a self-cleaning palm. Watering, feeding and space requirements will also be covered. A walk through the palmetum will follow the classroom instruction. Cost: $35 for Edison Ford members; $50 for non-members.
Virtual Birthday Party for Thomas Edison
On February 11, the virtual birthday party will start on Facebook at 10 a.m. Additional videos will be launched throughout the day. Friends will be able to watch the videos at their convenience. Follow Edison and Ford Winter Estates @EdisonFordFL.
Museum Musings
On February 11, Edison Ford will be hosting a special Museum Musings program at 11 a.m. focused on Edison’s famous birthday interviews. During the latter part of his life, Edison frequently spent his birthday in Fort Myers and would open his estate to reporters. His answers to some of their controversial questions became news stories themselves. The City of Fort Myers also held birthday celebrations for the inventor; one year making a cake six feet in diameter for him. The presentation is included with admission.
Sunset Celebration
On February 12, from 6-8 p.m., visitors are invited to stroll the botanical gardens after regular hours for a special evening of music, refreshments and a sunset view over the Caloosahatchee River. Guests may also walk onto the porches of Thomas Edison’s and Henry Ford’s winter homes, while strolling the grounds at their own pace. Discounted admission tickets for the sunset celebration are $20 for non-members and $15 for members. The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen and Millennial Brewing Company will have refreshments available for purchase. Teddy Richards, who formerly played guitar for Aretha Franklin will perform an eclectic mix of crowd favorites. Guests may bring a lawn chair or blanket to relax and watch the sunset. Masks are required.
Garden Festival
The Garden Festival returns on February 13 and 14 and offers gardening enthusiasts native and exotic plants for sale. Fruit trees, herbs, succulents, orchids, butterfly plants and Florida natives will be available, along with gardening-related supplies such as flower pots. Food trucks will be on site and a musician will provide entertainment. More than 40 vendors from around the state will be selling plants, artwork and gardening supplies. Admission to the Garden Festival is free (does not include access to the museum, lab or riverside of the property).
Silk Scarf Painting Class
On February 20 at 10 a.m., artist Marie Dyer will teach a silk scarf painting class. Participants will make a 14″ X 72″ silk scarf that can be worn or hung as a piece of artwork. All materials are included in the fee. Registration is required. Cost: $90 for Edison Ford members; $100 for non-members.
Rhythm on the River
On February 26 at 6 p.m., Neil Zirconia, a Neil Diamond Tribute will perform on the Ford lawn. Zirconia looks and sounds like the real Diamond and gets the crowd singing along. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. No coolers permitted. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Tickets: $20 for Edison Ford members, $25 for non-members, $30 day of event.
Make Reservations
For more information, or to make reservations, call 239-334-7419 or check our calendar. Masks are required during events and classes and on guided tours.
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