The Richmond Hill Historical Society recently raised more than $31,000 at fundraising events celebrating Clara Ford’s 150th birthday to benefit the Richmond Hill Historical Society’s Preservation Fund.

“These events offered a rare opportunity to gaze behind the gates of the Ford estate, which is normally closed to the public, and we were pleased to welcome many out-of-towners to experience Richmond Hill,” said Christy Sherman, president of the Richmond Hill Historical Society. “I’d like to especially thank the members and staff at The Ford Plantation, whose willingness to host Clara’s birthday celebration is testament to the charm and Southern hospitality found in our little town.”
 
The April 23 events included a trolley tour that showcased Henry Ford’s Southern Town, led by author and historian Buddy Sullivan; three trolley tours that visited the Ford Plantation; and an evening gala attended by 250 people, including Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, Rep. Buddy Carter, Rep. Ron Stephens, Richmond Hill Mayor Harold Fowler, and other city and county representatives. The gala, evocative of the times when the Fords would have an orchestra brought down from Michigan and invite local students and guests to dance on the lawn, featured 18 vintage Ford automobiles that lined the drive to Richmond Hill Plantation.

MacAljon, Inc. served as the Title Sponsor for the Clara Ford 150th celebration. Homes of Integrity Construction, Inc. was the Magnolia Sponsor and Thomas & Hutton was the Gardenia Sponsor. Additional sponsors included Georgene Brazer and Dorothy I. Watkins, Brookshire Design Custom Interiors, Caesarstone, C.N. Walker Designs, EOM Operations, Fish Tales, Fort McAllister Marina, Galbreath & Sons, Inc. Heating and Air, Gonzalez Knife Co., Grant Homes, Kelly Tours, McDonald’s, Old Savannah Tours, Old Town Trolley, Plantation Lumber and Hardware, Richmond Hill Animal Hospital, Richmond Hill City Center, Richmond Hill Reflections, Royal Restrooms, Shell House Seafood Restaurant, SouthCoast Health, and RPI. In addition, The Richmond Hill Convention & Visitors Bureau, Richmond Hill-Bryan County Chamber of Commerce, Bryan County, The City of Richmond Hill, Fort McAllister, and Arts of the Coast served as partners for the event.

Henry and Clara Ford arrived in Ways Station in 1925 and purchased land to build a winter residence, Richmond Hill. They also built a courthouse, a church, schools, a community center, a sawmill, bakery, commissary, a medical clinic and more. In 1941, the town’s name was changed to Richmond Hill in honor of the Fords.
 
Clara Ford was born on April 11, 1866, and grew up on farmland north of Detroit. Henry Ford, who met Clara at a New Year’s dance in 1885 and married her in 1888, nicknamed her his “great believer” and always appreciated her unwavering support of his ideas and ambition. They had one son, Edsel, who ran Ford Motor Company until 1943.