Ruth Mott Foundation - Applewood Estate

Mission

The Ruth Mott Foundation’s mission is to advocate, stimulate, and support community vitality. Our commitment is to base the Foundation in its home community of Flint, Michigan.

Vision

The Foundation envisions communities of hope and pride, whose neighborhood environments and urban core are safe, attractive and healthy, enriched by cultural diversity and an engaged citizenry.

History

Applewood is the estate of the Charles Stewart Mott families, built in 1916 at the edge of downtown Flint.  For its 100th anniversary in 2016, the Ruth Mott Foundation threw the gates wide open in celebration, and it remains a free and open community resource with regular visitor hours from May through October.  Today, the former gentleman's farm encompasses the original historic home and barn, 34 acres of flower-filled gardens, stately trees,expansive lawns and the heritage apple orchard for which it was named. Come explore Applewood - learn about its past and became part of its future.   

2017 Season: May 4 through October 29

Open Hours & Days: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.* Thursday—Sunday
(Closed Monday–Wednesday)
*Please note hours have changed from the 2016 season.

From guided tours of the house and gardens to exhibits in the historic garage, barn, and chicken coop, we hope you stay awhile and enjoy the Mott family legacy. Visitors are always welcome to explore the grounds on their own during our regular open hours. Most tours require reservations. 

BEHIND THE SCENES TOURS NEW for 2017! 
Take a guided tour inside the Mott family home to see the spaces that until now had been private. Step inside the master bedroom, see the staff quarters on the third floor, and check out the basement recreation rooms, including the bowling lanes. Advance reservations required. Tour days and times are limited.

PLEASE NOTE: This tour requires going up and down steep staircases. For those with mobility challenges, a digital version of the tour is available in the garage exhibit or by checking out a personal tablet from Visitor Services.

GUIDED HOUSE TOURS
Offered 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., reservations required

One-hour guided tours of the first floor of the main house with a few fun surprises! Online reservations are free and are available here. Tours can accommodate no more than ten guests at a time.

The last tour starts at 3:30 p.m. Please arrive a half-hour before your scheduled tour time to allow for parking, a welcome video and travel to the check-in point.

This historic house can accommodate smaller-sized wheelchairs and strollers on the first floor only. We also have these available for borrowing at our Visitor Services desk. For any special needs, or for groups of six or more people, please call 810.396.3117.

Tours require guests to walk and stand for more than one hour. Please anticipate walking up to a half mile. There are no restrooms in the house. We request that all cell phones be silenced during the tour. There is no food, drink, or photography allowed inside the home at any time.

For those who do not have house tour reservations, you can still explore the house (and gardens!) through our virtual tour – available as part of the exhibit in the garage and on our website here.

STROLLING HOUSE TOURS
Half-hour strolling tours of the first floor of the main house are available without reservations during our special event days ONLY on a first-come, first-served basis. Last strolling tour starts at 4:30 p.m., with the exception of evening events.

Strolling tour days:

• May 4-7: Season Opening
• June 24-25: Sloan Museum Auto Fair
• July 20: Savor the Summer (event lasts from 4-8 p.m.)
• August 19: Back to the Bricks
• September 23: Fall Harvest Festival
• October 26-29: Closing Week

WALKING GARDEN TOURS
A free guided walking tour of the gardens is offered without reservations at noon during our regular open days. We’ll tell you where to meet when you arrive at Applewood. (Guests may always explore the grounds on their own.)

GROUP TOURS

By reservation only. Groups of six or more, guests with special needs or special interests, please call 810.396.3117.

Field trip are also available by request.