Fort Myers DAR Chapter honors Edison & Ford Winter Estates with Historic Preservation Award
FORT MYERS — Historic preservation is one of the primary purposes of the Caloosahatchee Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). It is also an important part of Edison & Ford Winter Estates’ mission. To honor the Estate’s extensive preservation accomplishments, the Caloosahatchee DAR Chapter recently presented the Board of Trustees with a Historic Preservation Award.
The ceremony took place at the Chapter’s inaugural season luncheon on Oct. 12 in Fort Myers. At the event, Mike Cosden, executive vice president at Edison Ford, presented a program entitled “Mina Edison, Guardian of Genius” and talked about the influence Mrs. Edison had on philanthropy, culture, and community, both in Fort Myers and beyond.
"Mina Edison was a member of the DAR herself," added Cosden, “So I believe she would be particularly honored that the estate she so treasured has received this prestigious award. I also want to recognize Nancy Achter, member development manager, for her crucial work in preparing documentation for this award application.”
The application, which required approval by the National DAR, is 16 pages long including recommendation letters from Fort Myers Mayor Randall P. Henderson, Jr.; John P. Keegan, Chair and President of the Charles Edison Fund, plus newspaper articles and photos.
Adds Mary Lee Mann, current DAR Regent, “The City of Fort Myers, all of Southwest Florida and generations to come owe an immeasurable debt of gratitude to the leadership displayed by this volunteer Board of Trustees in ensuring the preservation of the historic Edison Ford Winter Estates. We cannot thank them enough.”
According to Sue Grimes, DAR’s Historic Preservation Chair, during the past decade, the Estates have raised more than $14 million for a successful project of historic preservation and restoration. The work included restoring nine National Register Historic Site buildings, including the winter homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, as well as acres of historic gardens to their 1929 appearance. Over the years, the historic landmark has been recognized with many additional national awards for historic preservation.
Today, with nearly 250,000 annual visitors, Edison Ford provides a unique educational experience based on the artifacts, legacy and lives of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. Edison’s wife, Mina Miller Edison, was instrumental in the formation of the Caloosahatchee Chapter of the NSDAR in 1927. The chapter celebrated its 90-year anniversary in 2017.
DAR membership is given to women over 18 years of age who can prove direct descent from a person who aided in achieving American independence between 1771 and 1783.