The Ford Barn

Ryan · 02-08-2013, 10:43 AM

Here's something you don't see every day... A tour of the Henry Ford Home after it was turned into a research library and archive. I'm unsure of the year, but the silent video is as beautiful as it is mysterious to me.... To read the rest of this blog entry from The Ford Barn, click here.

Phil · 02-08-2013, 11:01 AM

Most cool! Thanks for posting. Phil

BudP · 02-08-2013, 11:14 AM

Is Ford's home still around, open to the public, have a website?

V4F · 02-08-2013, 11:28 AM

thanks ryan . great video !

flatheadfan · 02-08-2013, 11:38 AM

BudP

The home is still there with daily tours. However, it is currently closed for renovation. As for research materials, the last time I toured the house the guide mentioned that research materials were no longer kept at the house. Which makes sense. All Ford research materials are now housed at the Benson Research Center located near the entrance of Greenfield Village (Dearborn).

Tom

larry/Texas · 02-08-2013, 11:43 AM

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My wife and I toured it a few years ago when we were in Dearborn. It is a fantastic tour of a very beautiful building with a lot history about the Ford family. Do not miss it if you are in the area. Also do Greenfield Village, The Ford and Edsel's house as well as tour the assembly plant etc. The Detroit area is full of automotive history.

BudP · 02-08-2013, 11:43 AM

Thanks, Tom.

ford38v8 · 02-08-2013, 01:35 PM

Henry Ford built his home the way he wanted it in an unfashionable area. Edsel built his as his place in society dictated. Of the two homes, the father lived in luxury while the son suffered the consequences of his bowing to fashion. Other than a nice garage, Edsel's house has no appeal to me at all, while Fairlane has a soul of its own!

Barry-ct · 02-08-2013, 01:55 PM

Nice video of a beautiful home. Thanks!

Torchie · 02-08-2013, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ford38v8

Henry Ford built his home the way he wanted it in an unfashionable area. Edsel built his as his place in society dictated. Of the two homes, the father lived in luxury while the son suffered the consequences of his bowing to fashion. Other than a nice garage, Edsel's house has no appeal to me at all, while Fairlane has a soul of its own!

Having been in the Henry Ford house and the Edsel Ford house both have their own points to recommend them. Edsel built where he did for many reasons. Not the least of which was to get away from his overbearing Father.

davehc · 02-08-2013, 03:49 PM

Very interesting , Thank you .

DavidG · 02-08-2013, 05:36 PM

Alan,

You're kidding, right?

Dave

stl37ford · 02-09-2013, 08:19 PM

back of Henry Ford house

looking at the Garage doors of Henry Ford house

charles in east texas · 02-10-2013, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ford38v8

Henry Ford built his home the way he wanted it in an unfashionable area. Edsel built his as his place in society dictated. Of the two homes, the father lived in luxury while the son suffered the consequences of his bowing to fashion. Other than a nice garage, Edsel's house has no appeal to me at all, while Fairlane has a soul of its own!

I second that!

ford38v8 · 02-10-2013, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidG

Alan,

You're kidding, right?

Dave

Dave, no, not kidding. Edsel's house is hot, humid, stuffy, unfriendly, impersonal. It could well have been built for any of hundreds of socialites, with the single notable exception of a garage having a turntable, itself merely an affectatation showing no particular ingenuity. an Albert Kahn creation, the house and supporting structures are impressive, but hold the visitor at arms distance.

Henry's home is well designed to take advantage of the insulating properties of stone, earth, and heavy timbers. Fairlane has character, and reflects the personal preference of the owners, who were heavily involved in it's design by Frank Lloyd Wright (and several others). Fair Lane is comfortable and makes a visitor feel welcome.

cushman man · 02-11-2013, 10:58 AM

Now that is good stuff.Thanks

William L. Vanderburg · 02-11-2013, 06:00 PM

According to the history of the house on their website, it was purchased by Ford Motor Company from the heirs and turned into a research complex from 1952 to 1957, then given to the University of Michigan.

Ford had stipulated that the house to cost only 250K but it wound up costing over 2 million dollars. There is also some discrepancy as to when the house was built. Wikipedia says it was started in 1909 and finished in 1913, and the house website says it was begun in 1914 and finished in 1916.

William L. Vanderburg · 02-11-2013, 06:22 PM

I don't think Edsel bowed to society in creating his home. I believe he, like his father, had his personal tastes in what he wanted his home to be. And before we bash Albert Kahn, let's remember that he designed Ford's Highland Park Plant.

bigvince · 02-13-2013, 09:29 AM

In addition to both the Ford homes, Meaddowbrook Hall (Dodge) also is worth seeing. Also, There are three streets in the city of Detroit in an area called Indian Village (Seminole, Iroquois, and Burns). Many of the early automotive pioneers and Detroit's wealthy lived here from 1900-1940. George Holley (Carburetors), Hupp, Harley Earl, both Dodge and Edsel Ford had homes here as well. There is a tour of the village with several homes open during the tour. It's held the first Saturday in June.

02-08-2013, 10:43 AM	#1
Ryan Administrator Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 670	A Tour Of The Henry Ford Home Here's something you don't see every day... A tour of the Henry Ford Home after it was turned into a research library and archive. I'm unsure of the year, but the silent video is as beautiful as it is mysterious to me.... To read the rest of this blog entry from The Ford Barn, click here.

02-08-2013, 11:01 AM	#2
Phil Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bethany, Ok Posts: 382	Re: A Tour Of The Henry Ford Home Most cool! Thanks for posting. Phil

02-08-2013, 11:14 AM	#3
BudP Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Oakton, VA Posts: 437	Re: A Tour Of The Henry Ford Home Is Ford's home still around, open to the public, have a website?

02-08-2013, 11:28 AM	#4
V4F Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: ca. Posts: 2,522	Re: A Tour Of The Henry Ford Home thanks ryan . great video ! __________________ V4f

02-08-2013, 11:38 AM	#5
flatheadfan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: West Michigan Posts: 1,218	Re: A Tour Of The Henry Ford Home BudP The home is still there with daily tours. However, it is currently closed for renovation. As for research materials, the last time I toured the house the guide mentioned that research materials were no longer kept at the house. Which makes sense. All Ford research materials are now housed at the Benson Research Center located near the entrance of Greenfield Village (Dearborn). Tom

02-08-2013, 11:43 AM	#6
larry/Texas Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Houston, TX area Posts: 150	Re: A Tour Of The Henry Ford Home Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) My wife and I toured it a few years ago when we were in Dearborn. It is a fantastic tour of a very beautiful building with a lot history about the Ford family. Do not miss it if you are in the area. Also do Greenfield Village, The Ford and Edsel's house as well as tour the assembly plant etc. The Detroit area is full of automotive history.

02-08-2013, 01:35 PM	#8
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,645	Re: A Tour Of The Henry Ford Home Henry Ford built his home the way he wanted it in an unfashionable area. Edsel built his as his place in society dictated. Of the two homes, the father lived in luxury while the son suffered the consequences of his bowing to fashion. Other than a nice garage, Edsel's house has no appeal to me at all, while Fairlane has a soul of its own! __________________ Alan

02-08-2013, 01:55 PM	#9
Barry-ct Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Newington, Connecticut Posts: 1,374	Re: A Tour Of The Henry Ford Home Nice video of a beautiful home. Thanks! __________________ Barry 50 F-1

02-08-2013, 03:49 PM	#11
davehc Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Adrian , Mich. Posts: 386	Re: A Tour Of The Henry Ford Home Very interesting , Thank you .

02-08-2013, 05:36 PM	#12
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,101	Re: A Tour Of The Henry Ford Home Alan, You're kidding, right? Dave

02-09-2013, 08:19 PM	#13
stl37ford Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: St.louis Posts: 25	Re: A Tour Of The Henry Ford Home back of Henry Ford house looking at the Garage doors of Henry Ford house

02-11-2013, 10:58 AM	#16
cushman man Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Flowery Branch, GA Posts: 114	Re: A Tour Of The Henry Ford Home Now that is good stuff.Thanks

02-11-2013, 06:00 PM	#17
William L. Vanderburg Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 48	Re: A Tour Of The Henry Ford Home According to the history of the house on their website, it was purchased by Ford Motor Company from the heirs and turned into a research complex from 1952 to 1957, then given to the University of Michigan. Ford had stipulated that the house to cost only 250K but it wound up costing over 2 million dollars. There is also some discrepancy as to when the house was built. Wikipedia says it was started in 1909 and finished in 1913, and the house website says it was begun in 1914 and finished in 1916.

02-11-2013, 06:22 PM	#18
William L. Vanderburg Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 48	Re: A Tour Of The Henry Ford Home I don't think Edsel bowed to society in creating his home. I believe he, like his father, had his personal tastes in what he wanted his home to be. And before we bash Albert Kahn, let's remember that he designed Ford's Highland Park Plant.

02-13-2013, 09:29 AM	#19
bigvince Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 48	Re: A Tour Of The Henry Ford Home In addition to both the Ford homes, Meaddowbrook Hall (Dodge) also is worth seeing. Also, There are three streets in the city of Detroit in an area called Indian Village (Seminole, Iroquois, and Burns). Many of the early automotive pioneers and Detroit's wealthy lived here from 1900-1940. George Holley (Carburetors), Hupp, Harley Earl, both Dodge and Edsel Ford had homes here as well. There is a tour of the village with several homes open during the tour. It's held the first Saturday in June.