Ford House Receives 13 Trees Cloned From Those Originally Planted By George Washington

GROSSE POINTE SHORES, Mich., May 9, 2003 -- Seven American Holly trees, cloned from the 13 remaining trees planted by George Washington at his Mount Vernon estate in Virginia, were presented to Mr. and Mrs. William Clay Ford Sr. and the Ford family today during a special ceremony on the grounds of Edsel & Eleanor Ford House.

Ford House is the only location in the nation outside of Mount Vernon that will feature a full set of the cloned George Washington trees, which includes one White Mulberry, one Hemlock, two Tulip Poplars, two White Ash and seven American Hollies.

"It is with gratitude that the Ford family accepts the gift of these special trees," said Edsel B. Ford II, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Edsel & Eleanor Ford House. "We are pleased that Ford House can play a role in preserving and perpetuating the legacy of George Washington by properly caring for his beloved trees to inspire future generations."

The cloned trees are a gift from the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association and the David Milarch family of Copemish, Michigan, as a tribute to Mr. and Mrs. William Clay Ford Sr. and the Ford family. Ford House is the childhood home of William Clay Ford and is now a historic house museum that was left in bequest of his mother, Eleanor Ford.

Milarch, a nurseryman and founder of the Champion Tree Project International(TM), which clones some of America's oldest and often times strongest trees, has been working with the National Tree Trust on a regeneration project at Mount Vernon. During this time, Milarch was asked by Mount Vernon to clone the 13 remaining trees that were planted at the estate under the supervision of George Washington more than 200 years ago.

"When Mount Vernon asked us to assist in the cloning of the last remaining trees planted by the Father of our Country, we did not hesitate," said Milarch. "My family and I are proud to give these historically significant trees to one of our nation's beautifully landscaped historic sites."

The Ford name has a long-standing history with Mount Vernon that dates back to 1924 when Henry Ford visited the estate. According to Mount Vernon Executive Director James C. Rees, the celebrated industrialist was recognized and given a private tour. During the tour, Ford asked how Mount Vernon and its structures, which are all made of wood, were protected from fire. He was told, "We do the best we can." Later that year, to show his appreciation of the gracious treatment he received, Ford donated a fire engine to Mount Vernon.

Since opening to the public in 1978, Edsel & Eleanor Ford House has shared Eleanor Ford's vision of preserving and maintaining the house and grounds for future generations to enjoy through interpretive tours, family activities, lectures, exhibits, and gardens and grounds events. For more information about Ford House, go to www.fordhouse.org or call 313-884-4222.