Preserving our past, for our future ...

Dear Ford/Lincoln Dealer,

In today's business climate, you would probably agree that the word "entrepreneur" defines us more than ever. We have been faced with struggles and challenges on all fronts, and yet somehow we persevere and prevail.

That essence is the reason we write today. Henry Ford was a larger than life example of an entrepreneur facing the same kinds of struggles and challenges which we face today. His determination has left over a century of followers who work to carry on his legacy in their own business. Those followers are you and me.

Following the passing of Clara and Henry Ford in 1950 and 1947, respectively, the estate changed hands a couple of times. From 1956 to 2013, the University of Michigan - Dearborn held the property, running a restaurant and using it for events and meetings. In 2013, the estate was transferred into a new 501c3 with the purpose to restore, reimagine, and reopen the estate to the public.

In light of this, when it came to our attention that the final home of Clara and Henry Ford was closed for restoration to become a living testament to entrepreneurs, we decided that we as dealers - those who maintain his legacy - had a duty to help the effort. That's where you come in.

We convened the Dealer Advisory Group (DAG) with the goal to involve as many Ford/Lincoln dealers across North America as possible. Below you will find some more information on how you can get involved with the project and who has joined us so far.

Sincerely yours,

DAG Chairman
Sam Pack, Pack Auto Group, Dallas-Fort Worth, TX

DAG Members
Gary Ackerman, Gaudin Motor Company, Henderson, NV
Cathy Anderson, Woody Anderson Ford, Huntsville, AL
Jay Cimino, Phil Long Ford, Colorado Springs, CO
Cam Clark, Cam Clark Ford, Olds, Alberta
Kevin Collins and Bill Collins, Ford Lincoln, Louisville, KY
Steve Ewing, Wade Ford, Smyrna, GA
Charlie Gilchrist, Southwest Ford, Weatherford, TX
Dan Hay, Jim Burke Ford, Bakersfield, CA
Junie Michael, Parkway Ford, Winston-Salem, NC
Gregg Middlekauff, Middlekauff Ford, North Twin Falls, ID
Rhett Ricart, Ricart Automotive, Groveport, OH
James Seavitt, Village Ford, Dearborn, MI
Collin Sewell, Sewell Ford, Odessa, TX
Mike Stollery, Barrie Ford, Barrie, Ontario

In 2015, recognizing their uniquely close connection to the man who put the world on wheels, dealers from across the United States and Canada came together to establish the Dealer Advisory Group (DAG) to advise and guide the Campaign for Fair Lane. Sam Pack, of Dallas-Fort Worth, Elena Ford, and Edsel B. Ford II co-chair the initiative.

As one should expect from the industriousness of Ford dealers, the DAG set for itself an ambitious $3.5 million fundraising goal toward the ultimate Phase I goal of $27.5 million.

To date, dealers from across the U.S. and Canada have donated just over $2.7 million to Fair Lane.

Your contributions:

- Address all life-safety and structural failure issues of Estate
- Restore 12 core rooms of the home, the gardens, and the Powerhouse
- Develop interactive programming that educates and inspires visitors through the legacy of Clara and Henry
- Establish an endowment to ensure self-sufficiency going forward

Participating dealers will receive special recognition on Fair Lane’s donor wall. The wall serves as the welcome sign for the estate, guaranteeing maximum visibility and impact for donors.

The wall is comprised of limestone, one of the preferred materials used by renowned landscape architect, Jens Jensen, who designed the grounds of Fair Lane. The donor recognition plates are comprised of rusted steel, bringing in Henry's role in industrialization. From above, the donor wall is shaped like the fender of the Model T. Taken together this structure embodies the spirit of those who contributed to Fair Lane’s unique character.

The first round of plaques were completed and installed in the spring of 2018. The next round will be fabricated in late 2019 and installed in the spring of 2020. Get involved TODAY to secure your place on the donor wall.

The Fair Lane Society
$5,000 - $9,999
RECOGNITION ON DONOR WALL (ONE LINE)

The Model A Society
$10,000 - $24,999
RECOGNITION ON DONOR WALL (TWO LINES)

The Model T Society
$25,000 - $49,999
RECOGNITION ON DONOR WALL (THREE LINES)
FRAMED PHOTO AND LETTER FROM EDSEL B. FORD II

The Sweepstakes Society
$50,000 - $99,999
RECOGNITION ON DONOR WALL (FOUR LINES)
FRAMED PHOTO AND LETTER FROM EDSEL B. FORD II

The Quadricycle Society
$100,000 and above
RECOGNITION ON DONOR WALL (SIX LINES)
FRAMED PHOTO AND LETTER FROM EDSEL B. FORD II

To discover how you can help achieve the mission and vision of Fair Lane, please contact the development staff at 313-884-4222 ext. 117.

To make your commitment to the campaign, you may download a form (click here). Either email it to the Henry Ford Estate c/o ptimmins@fordhouse.org, or send it by mail to the Fair Lane Campaign, c/o Henry Ford Estate, 1100 Lake Shore Rd., Grosse Pointe Shores, MI 48236.

The Dealer Advisory Group has committed itself to raising $3.5 million toward the Campaign for Fair Lane. As of November 2017, $2.7 million has been raised. Below is a list of participating dealers. We owe special thanks to our leadership donors who have contributed $100,000.