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- Panoramic View of Seal Harbor, Maine, 1927 - In 1922, Edsel Ford purchased property in Seal Harbor, Maine, and began building his family's summer home. Philanthropist John D. Rockefeller, Jr., a fellow resident of the area, wrote congratulating Edsel on his selection -- the property offered the Fords splendid scenic views of the Maine coast. The letter initiated a friendship between the two that led to partnerships on various charitable causes.
- 1927
- Collections - Artifact
Panoramic View of Seal Harbor, Maine, 1927
In 1922, Edsel Ford purchased property in Seal Harbor, Maine, and began building his family's summer home. Philanthropist John D. Rockefeller, Jr., a fellow resident of the area, wrote congratulating Edsel on his selection -- the property offered the Fords splendid scenic views of the Maine coast. The letter initiated a friendship between the two that led to partnerships on various charitable causes.
- Letter Congratulating Edsel Ford for Involving Ford Dealers with Airmarking Buildings in Their Towns, January 15, 1926 - Edsel Ford championed the development of commercial aviation in the United States. As an aid to aerial navigation, he wrote letters to Ford dealers encouraging them to paint two things on each dealer's roof: the name of the city and an arrow pointing due north. More than 4,000 communities had aerial markings of some sort by 1929.
- January 15, 1926
- Collections - Artifact
Letter Congratulating Edsel Ford for Involving Ford Dealers with Airmarking Buildings in Their Towns, January 15, 1926
Edsel Ford championed the development of commercial aviation in the United States. As an aid to aerial navigation, he wrote letters to Ford dealers encouraging them to paint two things on each dealer's roof: the name of the city and an arrow pointing due north. More than 4,000 communities had aerial markings of some sort by 1929.
- Henry Ford and Edsel Ford Examining Tire in Laboratory, circa 1935 - Henry Ford and Edsel Ford were photographed inspecting a tire circa 1935. Ford Motor Company began construction of its own tire plant, at the Rouge factory complex, in 1937. Two years later, the plant was turning out as many as 16,000 tires each day. Nearly eight million "Ford" branded tires were made before World War II ended production in 1942.
- circa 1935
- Collections - Artifact
Henry Ford and Edsel Ford Examining Tire in Laboratory, circa 1935
Henry Ford and Edsel Ford were photographed inspecting a tire circa 1935. Ford Motor Company began construction of its own tire plant, at the Rouge factory complex, in 1937. Two years later, the plant was turning out as many as 16,000 tires each day. Nearly eight million "Ford" branded tires were made before World War II ended production in 1942.
- Edsel Ford in Colorado on His 1915 Cross-Country Road Trip - At 21 years old, eager for one last adventure before tackling adult life, Edsel Ford took a road trip from Detroit to San Francisco in 1915. Ford and six of his friends, traveling in a Model T, a Cadillac and a Stutz, took five weeks to cover the 2,400 miles. Muddy roads and flat tires did little to dampen their enthusiasm.
- 1915
- Collections - Artifact
Edsel Ford in Colorado on His 1915 Cross-Country Road Trip
At 21 years old, eager for one last adventure before tackling adult life, Edsel Ford took a road trip from Detroit to San Francisco in 1915. Ford and six of his friends, traveling in a Model T, a Cadillac and a Stutz, took five weeks to cover the 2,400 miles. Muddy roads and flat tires did little to dampen their enthusiasm.
- Letter from Charles Greely (C.G.) Abbot to Henry Ford and Edsel Ford regarding Invitation to Light's Golden Jubilee, October 1, 1929 - On October 21, 1929, Henry Ford hosted an event, Light's Golden Jubilee, which celebrated the 50th anniversary of Thomas Edison's invention of the incandescent lamp. The event also served as the official dedication of The Edison Institute, Ford's museum complex named in honor of his friend. Among the invited guests was Secretary of the Smithsonian Dr. C.G. Abbott, who accepted the Ford's courteous invitation.
- October 21, 1929
- Collections - Artifact
Letter from Charles Greely (C.G.) Abbot to Henry Ford and Edsel Ford regarding Invitation to Light's Golden Jubilee, October 1, 1929
On October 21, 1929, Henry Ford hosted an event, Light's Golden Jubilee, which celebrated the 50th anniversary of Thomas Edison's invention of the incandescent lamp. The event also served as the official dedication of The Edison Institute, Ford's museum complex named in honor of his friend. Among the invited guests was Secretary of the Smithsonian Dr. C.G. Abbott, who accepted the Ford's courteous invitation.
- Letter from Henry A. Colgate, The Seeing Eye Guide Dog School, to Edsel and Eleanor Ford, December 15, 1941 -
- December 15, 1941
- Collections - Artifact
Letter from Henry A. Colgate, The Seeing Eye Guide Dog School, to Edsel and Eleanor Ford, December 15, 1941
- Oil Portrait of Edsel Ford by Diego Rivera, 1932 - Partway through work on his <EM>Detroit Industry</EM> murals at the Detroit Institute of Arts, Diego Rivera took a break to paint a portrait of the frescoes' primary sponsor, Edsel Ford. Rather than posing Ford in his office, Rivera chose a more appropriate setting: an automotive design studio. The portrait depicts Ford as strong and confident in his preferred environment.
- 1932
- Collections - Artifact
Oil Portrait of Edsel Ford by Diego Rivera, 1932
Partway through work on his Detroit Industry murals at the Detroit Institute of Arts, Diego Rivera took a break to paint a portrait of the frescoes' primary sponsor, Edsel Ford. Rather than posing Ford in his office, Rivera chose a more appropriate setting: an automotive design studio. The portrait depicts Ford as strong and confident in his preferred environment.
- Telegram from John Wriston to A. J. Lepine (for Edsel Ford) Arranging Meeting to Discuss Dearborn Inn Colonial Village, April 5, 1937 - By the mid-1930s, the Dearborn Inn, a popular luxury hotel, required additional accommodations to service travelers and visitors to the Edison Institute (later renamed The Henry Ford). The L.G. Treadway Service Corporation consulted with Edsel Ford about proposed upgrades that included a swimming pool, pool house, landscaping, and a "Colonial Village" of guest houses (replicas of homes famous in American history).
- April 05, 1937
- Collections - Artifact
Telegram from John Wriston to A. J. Lepine (for Edsel Ford) Arranging Meeting to Discuss Dearborn Inn Colonial Village, April 5, 1937
By the mid-1930s, the Dearborn Inn, a popular luxury hotel, required additional accommodations to service travelers and visitors to the Edison Institute (later renamed The Henry Ford). The L.G. Treadway Service Corporation consulted with Edsel Ford about proposed upgrades that included a swimming pool, pool house, landscaping, and a "Colonial Village" of guest houses (replicas of homes famous in American history).
- Ford Good Drivers League Membership Card, 1940 - Ford Motor Company created the Good Drivers League in 1940. Headed by Edsel Ford, the League promoted safe driving habits among high school students. The League initially invited boys to compete in state and national championships--girls would join in 1941. Contestants wrote essays and participated in driving tests. National champions won trophies and scholarships. America's entry into World War II ended the program.
- 1940
- Collections - Artifact
Ford Good Drivers League Membership Card, 1940
Ford Motor Company created the Good Drivers League in 1940. Headed by Edsel Ford, the League promoted safe driving habits among high school students. The League initially invited boys to compete in state and national championships--girls would join in 1941. Contestants wrote essays and participated in driving tests. National champions won trophies and scholarships. America's entry into World War II ended the program.
- Letter from Richard Trotter to Edsel Ford, Offering to Sell Drawings, March 20, 1924 -
- March 20, 1924
- Collections - Artifact
Letter from Richard Trotter to Edsel Ford, Offering to Sell Drawings, March 20, 1924