Photo comparing the Sun Porch at Fair Lane as it was in 1919 versus the restoration completed in 2017.
Furnishing Fair Lane: The Restoration of Clara & Henry Ford's Home
In October of 2017, I joined a diverse team of researchers, artisans, and historic preservationists tasked with the comprehensive restoration and refurnishing of Fair Lane: The Home of Clara and Henry Ford. As Collections & Furnishings Specialist, I was responsible for researching the home's original decorative arts and furnishings collection from 1919 by matching objects in photographs with receipts, estate appraisal documents, receipts, and auction catalogs. Once I identified the object and contextualized its history, I sourced a comparable replacement object on the open market or worked with designers to create a custom recreation of the original piece. This presentation delivered by request to community groups, provided a synopsis of the home's history, our research, and our custom reproduction process.