What’s New at Ford House in 2025
New Cabaret Series, Outdoor Dining in the Garden, and a Summer of Music Featuring an ABBA Salute.
Ford House, the historic home of Eleanor and Edsel Ford located in Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan, has announced a dynamic lineup of events for the 2025 season, showcasing a rich tapestry of cultural experiences reflecting the community spirit of the Grosse Pointe area.
Beloved experiences like guided tours of the Main Residence and gardens return, including the audience-favorite Nooks & Crannies Behind-the-Scenes Guided Tour and the All About Eleanor Guided Tour. New specialty guided tours will explore the Fords' art collection, architectural elements and other unique aspects of the home.
Dozens of exciting experiences are planned throughout the year, with several new options worth taking note of for groups of all kinds.
Groups with young ones will enjoy Ford House's children's teas, affectionately named Once Upon a Tea, new in 2025. These relaxed tea services are created for children aged twelve and younger and center around favorite children's literature characters. Families can enjoy the Mad Hatter's Tea Party, celebrating the whimsical Alice in Wonderland, on Saturday, March 15 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and the Emerald City Tea Party, celebrating L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Guests will enjoy tea and child-friendly treats while costumed characters travel the room and chat with children.
Literary lovers will find much to be excited about on Thursday, August 7 at 7 p.m., as the Grosse Pointe Theatre returns to Ford House for the second year of the Shakespeare Stroll. Attendees will experience the timeless works of Shakespeare as the Bard's stories come to life across the scenic grounds of Ford House. This unique walking theater event invites guests to wander from scene to scene, where professional actors perform vignettes from some of Shakespeare's most beloved plays. With nature as the stage and the historic estate as the backdrop, the Shakespeare Stroll offers an enchanting blend of culture, history and the great outdoors.
In 2025, Ford House will introduce Cabaret Over the Cove, a new, intimate concert series set in the beautiful Lake Shore Room on the second floor of the Visitor Center, overlooking Ford Cove and Lake St. Clair. These performances will offer guests an elegant and cozy musical experience and will feature various artists across several dates throughout the year, including Valentine's Day and during the 2025 holiday season.
Photo credit Chuk Nowak
Ford House will also debut Gather in the Garden, an elegant outdoor dining experience designed to immerse guests in the beauty of nature while offering a unique and intimate culinary adventure. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Formal Garden, this event combines the charm of al fresco dining with the tranquility of Ford House's historic estate and live music. Gather in the Garden takes place on Saturday, June 28 and Sunday, June 29 at 7 p.m.
The return of Ford House's Outdoor Summer Concert Series is also going to make a splash, leading with Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute, on Friday, July 18 at 7 p.m., where guests can relive the magic of ABBA. Following, the renowned Michigan Philharmonic will grace the stage on Friday, August 15 at 7 p.m., bringing their symphonic brilliance to Ford House's beautiful grounds. The Dave Hamilton Band will wrap up the series on Friday, September 12 for the second year in a row.
Don't forget other popular events like Ford House's Murder Mystery Dinners in October and Home for the Holidays at Ford House (an enchanting evening stroll throughout the estate) in December.
Photo credit Chuk Nowak.
"Our 2025 season is shaping up to be one of our most exciting yet," said Mark J. Heppner, President & CEO of Ford House. "From new events like Once Upon a Tea and Cabaret Over the Cove to beloved traditions like our summer concerts and holiday celebrations, there's truly something for everyone to enjoy. We can't wait to welcome our community and visitors from near and far to experience the joy, beauty, and history of Ford House in new and meaningful ways."
Learn more by visiting Ford House.
Written by Sarah Suydam, Managing Editor for Groups Today.
Photos courtesy of Ford House.
