Edsel and Eleanor Ford House

Photos 

Oct. 2012

Photo taken by Rattrak

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Map 

Street View 

Description 

A Michigan Historical Marker here reads: Edsel Ford, president of the Ford Motor Company for many years, and his wife, Eleanor Clay, completed this 87-acre estate in 1927. Architect Albert Kahn derived the design precedents in Cotswold, England, and many of the materials, including the staircase, paneling, and the fireplaces, were brought from old English homes. Noted landscape architect Jens Jensen developed the grounds. The Fords were collectors of art and antiques, and benefactors of local and national institutions. Edsel was instrumental in the creation of the Ford Foundation in 1936. He died here on May 26, 1943. His wife, who lived here until her death on October 19, 1976, endowed the property and directed it be maintained for public use.

National Register information 

Status

Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on July 24, 1979

Reference number

79001164

NR name

Ford, Edsel and Eleanor, House

Architectural styles

Late 19th and 20th Century Revival: Tudor Revival; Other architectural type; "Cotswold" style

Areas of significance

Landscape Architecture; Art; Architecture

Level of significance

National

Evaluation criteria

C - Design/Construction; B - Person

Property type

Building

Historic functions

Single dwelling; Secondary structure

Current functions

Museum; Organizational

Period of significance

1925-1949

Significant years

1927; 1930

Number of properties

Contributing buildings: 6
Contributing structures: 1

Tags 

Update Log 

• October 20, 2017: Updated by Michael Miller: Updated "Description" & "NRHP Status"
• October 14, 2012: New photo from Rattrak
• September 26, 2012: New Street View added by Rattrak

Sources 

• Wikipedia
• Rattrak
• Michael Miller - michael_a_miller [at] yahoo [dot] com
• NRHP Weekly Listings - 11/10/2016
• National Register database - Reference number 79001164 (Search for documents)

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