Historic estate, house museum and gardens

Edsel & Eleanor Ford House

About 10.79 miles straight-line from Joy Boulevard Park · substantial separate estate visit

Edsel & Eleanor Ford House preserves a 1928 Albert Kahn estate, Jens Jensen landscape and Lake St. Clair shoreline about 10.79 miles straight-line from Joy Park.

The place

About Edsel & Eleanor Ford House

Edsel and Eleanor Ford completed their Lake St. Clair estate in 1928. Architect Albert Kahn designed the approximately 30,000-square-foot, 60-room house; landscape architect Jens Jensen shaped the grounds, and industrial designer Walter Dorwin Teague contributed interior design. The result connects Detroit automotive leadership with architecture, decorative arts, family life and a carefully orchestrated shoreline landscape.

Eleanor Ford gave the estate for public use in 1976, and Ford House opened to visitors in 1978. The property became a National Historic Landmark in 2016. A current visit can combine house interiors, gardens, shoreline, visitor-center interpretation and the children's Play House, but tour products and seasonal conditions determine what is actually open.

Current published grounds admission is $7 adult, $5 for ages 3-15 and free under age three. House-plus-grounds admission is $15 adult, $7.50 for ages 3-15 and free under three; a Museums for All rate of $3 is also published for qualifying visitors. The live visitor surface currently shows the house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and grounds from 8 a.m. to sunset, but seasonal hours vary and should be rechecked for the chosen date.

The free Visitor Center lot leads to an estate with feature-specific access. The shoreline and wetland boardwalk have accessible routes, while garden terrain and stairs vary. There is no elevator to the house's second floor; a video alternative is available. A lift-equipped shuttle operates under normal conditions but may not run during special events. Wheelchairs are available, and visitors should arrange mobility assistance or ASL interpretation ahead when those services determine the trip.

What stands out

Tour Kahn's 60-room house

The approximately 30,000-square-foot residence connects Albert Kahn's architecture with Teague interiors and Ford family collections.

Walk Jens Jensen's landscape

Gardens, meadows and framed views unfold toward Lake St. Clair, with route and surface conditions varying across the estate.

Follow the shoreline and wetland

Published accessible routes extend to the shoreline and wetland boardwalk, adding ecology to the historic-house visit.

Add the children's Play House

The Play House supplies a smaller family-history setting, subject to the current tour and opening plan.

Pair it with the train

Why it belongs in a Michigan Transit Museum trip

Ford House ranks second because it is slightly farther from Joy Park at about 10.79 miles straight-line and is best treated as a substantial separate estate visit. Its published hours can outlast a short museum visit, but do not plan around a Michigan Transit ride until an exact resumption date appears. Reserve the correct house or grounds product, leave road margin, and contact the estate ahead for shuttle, second-floor, wheelchair or ASL needs.

Before you go

Plan your visit

  • Live hoursThe current surface lists the house 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and grounds 8 a.m.-sunset, but hours vary seasonally. Recheck the selected date.
  • Grounds admission$7 adult, $5 age 3-15 and free under age three. Confirm the selected date and any special-event exclusions before purchase.
  • House and grounds$15 adult, $7.50 age 3-15 and free under age three. A qualifying Museums for All rate of $3 is also published.
  • ParkingParking in the Visitor Center lot is free. Event traffic can alter circulation, so use current arrival instructions.
  • House accessThe second floor has no elevator. A video alternative is available; contact the estate if that substitution or another mobility arrangement matters.
  • Grounds accessThe shoreline and wetland boardwalk have accessible routes, while garden paths, surfaces and stairs vary across the estate.
  • Mobility supportWheelchairs are available and a lift-equipped shuttle normally operates, but the shuttle can be unavailable during special events. Arrange specific support ahead.
  • Communication accessContact the estate in advance to arrange ASL interpretation or other communication support. Do not assume same-day availability.
  • Ticket contactFor booking questions use tickets@fordhouse.org or the live ticket surface; house and grounds products are not interchangeable.

Add automotive testing history

Add Packard Proving Grounds Historic Site

Use an advance-scheduled Packard tour for a more compact engineering and preservation stop when the full Ford estate does not fit the day.

View the guide →

Useful answers

Frequently asked questions

How much is Ford House admission?

Grounds admission is $7 adult and $5 age 3-15. House-plus-grounds is $15 adult and $7.50 age 3-15. Children under three are free, and a $3 Museums for All rate is published for qualifying visitors.

What are the current hours?

The live surface currently lists the house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and grounds from 8 a.m. to sunset. Seasonal hours vary, so check the selected date.

Is parking free?

Yes. The estate publishes free parking in the Visitor Center lot, subject to current event and circulation instructions.

Can wheelchair users tour the second floor?

There is no elevator to the second floor. The estate provides a video alternative; contact staff before booking when that access difference matters.

Are the grounds wheelchair-accessible?

The shoreline and wetland boardwalk have published accessible routes, but garden paths, stairs and surfaces vary. Discuss the exact route with staff.

Is a mobility shuttle available?

A lift-equipped shuttle normally operates, but may be unavailable during special events. Arrange mobility needs ahead rather than relying on same-day availability.

Can the estate arrange ASL interpretation?

The estate asks visitors to arrange ASL or other communication support in advance. Contact staff before selecting the tour.

When did Ford House open to the public?

Eleanor Ford gave the estate for public use in 1976, and it opened to visitors in 1978. It became a National Historic Landmark in 2016.

How long should I allow?

Treat Ford House as a substantial separate visit. Exact time depends on the house product, grounds route, exhibitions, mobility needs and seasonal conditions.

Trust and accuracy

Sources

Source checked 2026-08-16. This free guide has not yet been confirmed by the venue. Current hours, prices, services, and accessibility can change; confirm time-sensitive details directly.