Executive Committee Meeting 10-15-24

President's Report

Page 46 of 95

EXPLORE DETROIT

NORTH OF DETROIT

North of Detroit aa

Edsel & Eleanor Ford House aa

On the banks of Lake St. Clair, 8 miles from Detroit. 1100 Lake Shore Rd - Grosse Pointe Shores - t 313 884 4222 - www.fordhouse.org - Opening hours: inquire - $10 (child $5). w The rooms dedicated to domestic life are particularly worth a look. A fascinating insight into how the property was run. Pretty much like one of Ford’s factories! 1929, Albert Kahn. The only son of Henry Ford and Clara Bryant, Edsel Ford (1893–1943) built this home for his wife and four children, but also to house his collection. The most important paintings were bequeathed to the Detroit Institute of Arts, often replaced by copies on site. Albert Kahn designed the house to resemble an English mansion in the Cotswolds, featuring small grid windows and ivy covered walls. Sumptuous and tasteful, the collection of sixty pieces attests to the couple's eclecticism , whose passions spanned the range from Chinese pottery and African masks through Flemish tapestries, Cézanne and Van Gogh to Raphael, the rococo style and Art Deco. While the pieces are museum standard, the place still feels like a family home. The library , with its dark woodwork, grand fireplace, and precious carpets, was one of Ford’s favorite rooms. The dining room is impressive with its Queen Anne style furniture and Chinese objects. The kitchen —which is in fact three connecting rooms—evokes the Fords' sense of hospitality. Mrs Ford, who

Visit Detroit

Several interesting sites await inquisitive visitors keen to explore Detroit and its wider area. Head north 25 miles from the city center to discover, in quite a different atmosphere, these well-heeled suburbs that are still part of Motor City’s metropolitan area. � Getting there: Preferably by car. However, you can reach Ferndale, Royal Oak, and Birmingham by riding the 461 bus along Woodward Ave from Grand Circus Park. For Cranbrook, the bus stop is a 30-minute walk. Map of the conurbation in the second inside flap of the cover. � Tip: Although these sites are in reach of Downtown Detroit, Birmingham is even more convenient. This pleasant little town is a perfect base camp for this getaway. T Addresses, p. 77.

vary by day and month, $14-24 (child $12-21) . w To avoid the crowds, it's best to arrive at opening time. Opened in 1928, Detroit Zoo was one of the first in the country to show

Detroit Zoo a 10 miles from Detroit.

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Aerial view of Edsel & Eleanor Ford House.

8450 W. 10 Mile Rd - Royal Oak - t 248 541 5717 - detroitzoo.org - 9am-5pm (Sept.-May 4pm) - prices

adored flowers, had planned a flower room , a small space specifically for making bouquets! On the first floor, the bedrooms reflect different tastes and styles: Streamline Moderne for the boys; Toile de Jouy for Mademoiselle, the governess; floral chintz for the parents—Eleanor Ford’s closet with fourteen wardrobes and its trompe l'œil decor is a sight to behold! The estate (86 acres), on the shores of the lake, was designed by landscaper Jens Jensen who created distinct areas, including a rose garden. Other facilities include a swimming pool, an artificial lagoon, tennis courts, a playhouse for the children, and even a power station.

Suburbs With Style Attracted by the quality of life, the space, and the excellent schools, many Detroiters have taken up residence in three towns around ten miles north of the city. Ferndale - 12 miles from Detroit – visitdetroit.com/directory/downtown-ferndale/. In this wonderfully inclusive small town, the gay community’s rainbow flags even adorn the pedestrian crossings. There are several festivals and some good addresses here for shopping or going out. Royal Oak - 14 miles from Detroit – visitdetroit.com/inside-the-d/things-to-do in-royal-oak/. The town is home to the zoo and also the region's second-largest farmer’s market , a nearly century-old institution with lots going on. Birmingham - 19 miles from Detroit – www.allinbirmingham.com. Yoga studios, upmarket boutiques, bijou bistros, and luxurious spas, this is the chicest of the three towns in Metro Detroit (the metropolitan area of Detroit) but is by no means snobbish. You only have to spend a little time there to understand why it’s one of Motor City’s favorite suburbs.