For all the recent attention Ford Motor Company has drawn toward itself in announcing its near-Herculean task of renovating the decades-long derelict Michigan Central Station in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood, it might be easy to overlook the fact that progress continues to be made at Ford’s Wagner Place development in downtown Dearborn. And, according to officials, the redevelopment of its main Dearborn campus remains scheduled as planned.
Over at Fairlane, the decades-long Dearborn home of Ford Motor Company’s founding family Henry and Clara Ford, a charming development has taken place. Henry and Clara’s great-granddaughter Lynn Ford Alandt and her husband Paul have gifted a life-size bronze statue of the famous couple to the estate.
"After sculptures of my grandparents, Edsel and Eleanor, were installed at their historic home, Paul and I knew that Fair Lane should have Clara and Henry represented in their gardens as well," Lynn says. "It’s been incredible to see the reaction of visitors at Ford House, so we’re excited for people to enjoy the Fair Lane additions."
The life-size statues of Henry and Clara Ford were installed in the Early Rose Garden, with Henry’s Power House behind them and Clara’s gardens to the front. An unveiling was held June 13.
StudioEIS of Brooklyn, New York was hired to design and create the bronze statues, the same company responsible for the Edsel and Eleanor Ford statues installed at their historic home in Grosse Pointe Shores.
Visitors to the Fair Lane estate can view the statues during tours of the gardens and grounds, which is free and open to the public.
A mobile guide was recently released and can be downloaded online. It includes maps, self-guided walks, historical points of interest, and upcoming events.
Fair Lane is located at 1 Fair Lane Dr. in Dearborn.
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