November 22, 2010 - Edison & Ford Winter Estates Programs - December 2010
Fort Myers, Florida (November 22, 2010) - December at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates is highlighted with the 35th Annual Edison & Ford Holiday Nights, and Second Annual Holiday Nights Party as well as NEW Boat & Cruise Tours and a variety of other special programs and activities throughout the month. The December schedule of programs and events include:
New Volunteer Orientation, December 7, 9:30 AM
Join Estates staff to learn about volunteer opportunities, Estates policies and general Museum information. This is a mandatory training for all new Estates volunteers
but potential volunteers are welcome.
Edison & Ford Holiday Nights Holiday Party, December 8, 6 PMKick off the holiday season with the second annual holiday party at the gloriously decorated hoes and gardens of the Estates. Guests will enjoy a special preview of the Estates annual event, food and beverages by the river, live music and much more. Estates members, $60; non members $75.
Edison & Ford Holiday Nights, December 9 - January 1, 5:30 PM - 9 PM
NEW Guided Tours at 6:30 PM & 7:30 PM
The Estates holiday tradition continues with Edison & Ford Holiday Nights, southwest Florida's 35 year annual event. The winter homes of the Edison and ford families will be seasonally decorated. NEW Guided Tours at 6:30 PM and 7:30 PM (special ticket) of the homes and gardens including period decorations and Edison and Ford family traditions. The Estates Museum will be open every evening with special exhibits as well as nightly holiday performances by area students and groups. Cost: Estates members FREE; non members - adults, $15, children (ages 6-12) $1; students ages 13-College $8. Guided tour cost: Estates members, FREE, non members - adults $20, children $11. Special discount nights available to Lee County Residents on December 9, 10, 11, and 12. Group rates are available to groups of 20 or more people with advance reservations.
Holiday Nights Horse & Wagon Rides, December 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 29, 30; 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Holiday Wagon rides at the Estates depart from the historic Ford Estate and tour the nearby old Edison Park neighborhood during the annual Edison & Ford Holiday Nights event. Cost: Adults $8, children $5.
NEW Boat Cruises & Tours, Wednesdays, beginning December 15, 10 AM - 4:30 PM
The Estates and Captiva Cruises will be offering Boat Cruises & Tours from Captiva Island to the Edison & Ford Winter Estates. The NEW cruise tour will provide a unique look at the Caloosahatchee River and its importance ecologically and culturally, a great view of the Estates from the water, lunch at the Royal Palm Yacht Club and a tour of the Edison & Ford Winter Estates. Ticket cost is $70 adults, $60 children (ages 12 and under) plus tax and included cruise, lunch, and tour of the Estates. Seating is limited and reservations are suggested by calling 239-472-5300. Customized private tours can be scheduled for groups, departing from various locations any day of the week. For more information contact Captiva Cruises 239-472-5300.
Homeschoolers: Holiday Science, December 16, 1 PM - 3 PM
Holiday Science is NEW this season! Homeschooled students will invent their own toy, see the science behind Edison's colored lights and enjoy "snowmaking". Students and their parents can enroll in a half day of curriculum that follows the Florida Sunshine Objectives for Learning. The program follows the Lee County mandated program and addresses environmental science, history and reading SOLS. Previsit curriculum materials will be ailed to registered families. Registration required. Estates members $5; non members $15 (one adult, one child) additional $5 per child.
Estates Artists & Authors Night, December 18, 4 PM - 7 PM
Looking for the perfect gift for the person on your list who has everything? Estates Creative Cottage Artists and Authors, including a series of Edison and Ford botanical illustrations by Megan Kissinger, will personalize artwork and books for one-of-a-kind gift. Estates Member are FREE; shoppers passes will be issued at the Estates ticket counter for non-members.
Holiday Decorating and Traditions of the Edison & Ford Families, Miromar Design Center, December 18, 2 PM
Join Estates staff as they go back in time to the Edison and Ford era exploring holiday traditions, history and celebrations. the presentation will include holiday decorations of the 20's and 30's, a glimpse into the traditions of the Edison and Ford families, as well as historical decorating for the Estates 35th annual event, Edison & Ford Holiday Nights. Workshop is free. to register call the Miromar Design Center 239-390-8207 or visit the website www.miromardesigncenter.com
Holiday Hands-On Science: Holiday Magic & Science, December 20-22, 9 AM - 4 PM
Take a trip to the past and learn how the Edison and Ford families celebrated the holidays. Participants will make unique presents, cards, decorations, test toys and invent games as well as prepare for a blizzard while making snow cones, as they engage in holiday science experiments. On December 22nd, every hour students will enjoy a different cultural New Year celebration from around the world! Cost: three days: Estates members $100, non members $115; one day: Estates members $50, non members $55.
Estates Holiday Schedule
The Estates will close at 2 PM on December 24th and be closed on December 25th. Holiday Nights is open nightly from 5:30 PM - 9 PM thru January 1 (closed December 24 & 25). the Estates will be open December 31st and January 1 from 9 AM - 9 PM.
The Estates is open daily from 9 AM - 5:30 PM. The Estates is the winner of the 2009 National Stewardship Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and is an official project of "Save America's treasures" at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a Florida Historic Landmark and a National Register Historic Site. for additional information call 239-334-7419 or visit the web site at www.efwefla.org
