Edison, Ford Winter Estates to host annual quilt show
The Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers will host the annual “Airing of the Quilts” quilt show Sunday, Oct. 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Dozens of quilts from the Quilters’ Guild will be on display, suspended from clotheslines between trees, and select antique quilts from the 1880s to 1940s will be on display inside the Thomas Edison house, Henry Ford house and Edison guest house.
Quilters’ Guild participants will also have quilts available for sale.
Certified quilt appraiser Lars Cain will conduct appraisals from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. His vast experience includes the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian Institution. Cain has been sharing his expertise for years and has spoken to over 1,500 quilt groups throughout the Midwest, New England area and in Florida. Since 1977, he has appraised more than 20,000 quilts. Visitors may bring antique quilts for assessment. Verbal appraisals will be offered for $20 and the fee for a written appraisal is $50 per quilt.
Quilts have a long history with the estates. Henry Ford and his wife, Clara, collected quilts and other historical objects that were created and used by people from all across the United States. The quilts were often made from scraps of material, demonstrating the resourcefulness of American women.
A food truck will also be on site.
Tickets may be purchased online or at the ticket counter; admission is free for members. The quilt show is included with a self-guided or guided tour of the historic home site and botanical gardens.
For more information, call 239-334-7419 or visit www.edisonford.org.
The Edison and Ford Winter Estates is at 2350 McGregor Blvd.