November 1, 2019
Veterans Admitted Free to Edison and Ford Winter Estates on Veterans Day
FORT MYERS, Fla. (November 1, 2019) — Edison and Ford Winter Estates is offering free admission to United States veterans and one guest on 
Veterans Day, November 11. Free admission includes a self-guided audio tour of the historic homes, gardens, laboratory and museum. To receive free admission, veterans must present a VA identification card or their DD214 papers.
Two new exhibits are currently on display, including the Edison and Tesla “DC vs. AC” exhibit in the Edison Caretaker’s House that explores the differences between the inventors’ electrical current, and the family and friends exhibit in the 15,000-square-foot inventions museum. “Family, Friends & Fun: Edison & Ford in the Florida Sun” depicts some of the experiences the Edison and Ford families shared while in Fort Myers. The new exhibit also showcases some of the interesting people that visited them and several artifacts are included that have never been shown to the public before.
The museum also contains the Smithsonian Spark!Lab with several activity stations for children and families; numerous examples of phonographs (Edison’s favorite invention); antique cars, including Edison’s personal 1916 Model T; and the Timeline of Innovation, a chronological timeline of both Edison’s and Ford’s inventions.
Another highlight is the botanic research laboratory, a National Historic Chemical Landmark. In the lab, visitors get to see original test tubes and machinery that Edison used to test more than 17,000 different plants in his quest to find a natural source of latex. Some of the trees and plants that were tested are still on the property today.
In the gardens, visitors can see many trees and plants throughout the site. The yellow Allamanda, pink Silk Floss tree, Hong Kong Orchid tree, Monkey Brush Vine, water lilies in the Moonlight Garden, and the Tropical Dogwood among others are blooming beautifully this time of year.
The site is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. seven days a week. For more information, call 239-334-7419.
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