Annual Antique Car Show
Each year, classic car owners exhibit more than 100 cars on the Ford estate lawn as a tribute to Henry Ford, the pioneer of the automobile industry. Along with the car show, there will be music, food trucks and visitors can tour the gardens, museum, laboratory and see the historic homes.
This family event is free for Edison Ford members and $25 for non-members, which includes a self-guided tour of the entire site. Admission tickets may be purchased online or at the ticket counter (advance ticketing not required).
For antique Ford owners wanting to participate, registrations are being accepted for Ford models 1980 and older. The deadline for registration is January 27 and the fee is $30 per car. Food trucks will be on site for lunch.
Click here to register a car.
Ford Mustang Show
Show your Mustang at the most beautiful location in Lee County, riverside on the Henry Ford Winter Estate lawn. Edison Ford, is excited to invite you to be a part of the Edison Ford Annual Ford Mustang Exhibition. Registration packets and one boxed lunch are provided for each vehicle owner. Dash plaques will be given to each participant. Admission: Free to Edison Ford members, $25 for non-members.
CLICK HERE for exhibitor registration information.
Electric Car Show
FORT MYERS, Fla. (August 14, 2019) – In celebration of National Drive Electric Week, Edison and Ford Winter Estates is hosting a free electric car show on September 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Owners of electric vehicles will be on hand to answer questions and give rides to visitors. The event will take place in the estates overflow parking lots on Larchmont Avenue.
National Drive Electric Week (September 14-22) is presented by Plug in America, Sierra Club, and the Electric Auto Association to raise
Thomas Edison standing next to a Detroit Electric car in 1913.
awareness of plug-in vehicles and highlight the benefits, such as reduced emissions with less impact on the environment than gasoline-powered vehicles.
More than 100 years ago, Thomas Edison and Henry Ford worked together to design an electric vehicle. That project faltered due to the creation of an electric starter for gasoline vehicles, along with inexpensive, reliable gas-driven internal combustion engines. In addition, Edison’s batteries had a limited range, were expensive and unlike today, drivers did not have access to charging stations.
Of the 1,093 patents Edison held, several related to the electric car. In 1889, Edison’s electric vehicle (runabout) was produced. In 1890, he patented the means for propelling electric cars and his driving mechanism for cars was patented in 1892. The Alkaline battery was initially designed with the thought of powering an electric vehicle, but it was used for a multitude of other things and became Edison’s most profitable invention. He received a patent for his automobile electric system in 1916.
The event is free (does not include admission to the museum, laboratory or tours of the homes). Visitors can learn more about Edison and his inventions inside the 15,000-square-foot museum. Coupons for $5 off admission to Edison and Ford Winter Estates will be available for anyone attending the event. Visit our visitor information page for additional information about the historic site.
