THE EDISON ESTATE

We went to Ft. Myers today to visit the Edison Estate.    Here is the inventor (in sculpture form) standing in one of his ginko groves.  To this day, Edison holds the most patents of any inventor in the country.

 

 

Thomas and Mina Edison were the first Florida snowbirds.  They spent winters in Ft. Myers at their estate, Seminole Lodge, from their honeymoon in 1886 until  his death in 1931.  Mina continued to winter here until she deeded the estate to the City of Ft Myers in 1947.  (For a whole dollar.  With the stipulation that it be preserved as a legacy.)  The Estate, along with the one next door that belonged to Edison's friend Henry Ford, now belong to a Foundation.  There are about 20 acres in total.

Although the estate was completed in 1886, the Edisons continued to remodel and make additions.  It is restored to the period of 1919 by which time Ford had purchased the estate next door and the Edisons had added several peripheral buildings.

We took a special "sneak preview" tour this time.  We got to tour the inside of both estates as well as the botanic research laboratory.  Although Edison was a kind of "rock-star" of his era, they kept the inside of the home fairly simple -- this was their country estate where they enjoyed the beautiful weather and being outdoors. 

Each room has at least one "electrolier" -- an electric chandelier -- and one of Edison's many patented designs.     They are originals.

 

 

 

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Edison never did stop working during his winters in warmer climates.  He had an office and lab here from the beginning.  Beginning during World War I, he began working to find a source of natural rubber from a plant that could grow in the United States.  He thought goldenrod would work since it is plentiful and grows well everywhere.  He worked on this project until June of 1931.  He died four months later, back in New Jersey.  He was 84 years old. 

 Rubber production was not a commercial success and Mina Edison and the other investors (Ford and  Firestone) dissolved the corporation in 1936.  All of the equipment in the lab and shop were left where they were.  (Restoration staff have recently disposed of the chemicals and cleaned up asbestos.)

 

Our tour was led by two of the historians who are employed here and we learned about how the restoration process works.   For instance, the replica shutters were created following the original design of wood with iron fixtures.  But on the reverse side they have panels that meet state hurricane code requirements.

 

The Estate grounds are lovely.  Both Edisons were interested in gardening and they had plants imported from everywhere (or given to them as gifts).  

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Alyce]

I really enjoyed reading this post, and had no idea that Edison had a place in Florida. I wonder what else he would have come up with if he had lived even longer.

[bettyl]

Wow! I had no idea about this part of Edison's life. Thanks for the info.

[diane]

A very informative post. It was interesting to go on the tour with you. Loved it.

[Chatty Crone]

Thanks for sharing with me all this information and pictures. You know what? He had learning disablities - dyslexia they think. He had all sorts of trouble in school and they thought he was dumb! He wasn't dumb - he was just a different kind of learner!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sandie

[Louise]

This is fascinating. I wish I could visit too - my son would be goggle-eyed at the laboratory! Greetings from Italy via BPOTW.

[Margot at Joyfully Retired]

Thanks for sharing you lovely tour with us. I agree with Donna - I want to know more about the Edisons. I hope someday we can visit this historical restoration.

[donna]

Nicely done post, very interesting. You've made me want to know more about Thomas Edison....something more than he invented the light bulb. You tell a good story with both your words and photos.

donna

[Joe Todd]

Beautifully done. Brought back memories of being there and we both have some very similar photos. Almost all my photos from inside the lab were to dark to use. Enjoyed your post very much. Spent yesterday in Maumee,Ohio it was Grandparents day at the Grandkids school. My, things have changed since I was in the 2nd and 3rd grade LOL

[Lady Fi]

That's fascinating! What a gorgeous place to spend your winters...