Home Destinations USA Florida The Lower Gulf Coast Sights Edison and Ford Winter Estates

Edison and Ford Winter Estates Review

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Edison and Ford Winter Estates

Write a review | Avg. member rating: 4.3/5

Fodor's Review:

Edison and Ford Winter Estates, Fort Myers's premier attraction, pays homage to two of America's most ingenious inventors: Thomas A. Edison, who gave the world the stock ticker, the incandescent lamp, and the phonograph, among other inventions; and his friend and neighbor, automaker Henry Ford. Donated to the city by Edison's widow, his 12-acre estate is a remarkable place with three homes, a laboratory, botanical gardens, and a museum. Here you can see many of his inventions, along with historic photographs and memorabilia. The laboratory is just as Edison left it when he died in 1931. Edison traveled south from New Jersey and devoted much of his time here to inventing things (there are 1,093 patents to his name), experimenting with rubber for friend and frequent visitor Harvey Firestone, and planting some 600 species of plants collected around the world. Next door to Edison's two identical homes is Ford's "Mangoes," the more modest seasonal home of Edison's fellow inventor. It's said that the V-8 engine in essence was designed on the back porch. The property's oldest building, the Caretaker's House, dates to 1860. Research garden renovation is ongoing. Tours are guided or audio self-guided. One admission covers both homes; museum tickets and botanical-garden tickets are also available.

  • Cost: $20
  • Open: Daily 9-5:30; last tour at 4.
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Member Reviews and Ratings

Reviewed by mbeery1 from Chicago on 6/19/09
More or less this is a review based on my knowledge of Ford Motor and through countless college papers I've written on Ford. If you're interested in auto's and history of many truly great inventions of the modern era, this place may interest you. If you go, summer months are hot!!! Winter months obviously cooler, but more tourist visit the estate during these months.

Member Rating: 5.0
Ratings details: Experience: 5.0 Ease: 5.0 Value: 5.0 Don't Miss: 5.0

Reviewed by AlpacaHunter from Lansing MI USA on 1/28/07
The tour of the compounds with the guided tour were interesting. The Banyan tree was really cool. The contents in the museum were a hodgepodge of assorted crap for the most part. The price was steep for the site as well!

Member Rating: 3.6
Ratings details: Experience: 4.0 Ease: 4.0 Value: 3.0 Don't Miss: 3.0
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