Henry Ford's Estate Celebrates His 150th Birthday, Transfers Ownership

DEARBORN — The sounds and sights of the early 1900s came alive on the grounds of Fair Lane Estate, the home of Henry and Clara Ford, as hundreds of spectators across Michigan flocked to the site to celebrate Ford's 150th birthday on Saturday.

Events included a concert on the mansion's music room terrace featuring The Olde Michigan Ruffwater Stringband, dance demonstrations, a display of cars developed during Ford's lifetime, and, of course, a specially crafted Ford-themed birthday cake.

"Henry and Clara Ford were so much a part of the fabric of Dearborn and everything that developed in Dearborn," mayor John B. O'Reilly, Jr. said. "Their impact on the city is immeasurable."

The highlight of the day was marked by the official transfer of the home from the University of Michigan to The Henry Ford Estate, Inc., a newly formed not-for-profit education organization that will restore the home to its original design.

Bill Ford, Jr. and Edsel Ford II, the great grandsons of Henry Ford, accepted the keys to the estate from Daniel Little, chancellor of the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

"Today marks the beginning of a beautiful journey for my great-grandparents' home, a journey that also produces a valuable collaboration between the estate and the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Today our plan begins for building a new experience, telling stories and operating the estate," Edsel Ford said.

Kathleen Mullins, president of the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House, said estate board members are currently working on a timeline to have the home open and available on a regular basis for public tours.

"Now that the transfer is completed, we can sit down and put together our plan of what we're going to do," she said. "We have three things that we need to address: substantial restoration, furnishing the estate, and create the whole programming piece for the public."

Mullins said the nonprofit is aiming to have the home fully restored by 2020, with work completed in several phases. The public can check on the progress of the restoration by visiting www.henryfordestate.org.

As part of the 150th birthday celebration, several state and federal officials were on-hand to pay tribute to Ford with stories and proclamations.

"The contributions (Ford) made to Michigan were immense," U.S. Rep. John Dingell said. "He provided jobs and opportunities to countless workers, helped us win two wars and contributed to good government and all matter of important things for our state and country."

State Rep. George Darany, D-Dearborn, presented the Ford family with a proclamation signed by Gov. Rick Snyder on behalf of the Michigan House of Representatives.

"This home is certainly a national treasure because Henry Ford himself was a national treasure. To preserve his home is just another part of preserving America," Darany said.

Speaking on the legacy of the Ford Motor Company, Bill Ford, Jr. said one its enduring qualities is the ability to recognize the value of middle class working Americans.

"When I think of all the tremendous legacies that Henry Ford left behind, the one that has always inspired me the most is the belief that corporations are not there to make a profit, they are there to make people's lives better," Ford said. "It is something Henry Ford believed in, and it's something that drives us today.

Ford said there's no better way to honor his great-grandfather than continuing to encourage growth and innovation in the fields of math, science and technology.

"Technology is changing so rapidly, and I love the fact that our company is driving change," Ford said. "I know my great-grandfather would love nothing more than to walk through our research labs today and see all the amazing stuff that's going on. Though 150 years have passed since Henry Ford, we're still being driven by his vision."