Completed in 1925, Ford Dining Hall is inspired by the dining hall of Christ Church College at Oxford, England, showcasing stunning Gothic cathedral-style architecture with large stained glass windows and a vaulted ceiling. Originally serving as a student dining facility, it now hosts a variety of special events, including banquets, wedding receptions, meetings, seminars, and recitals. Mirror pools surrounding the building provide beautiful photo backdrops, making it a truly memorable venue.

Henry Ford
After visiting Berry’s schools in 1921, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ford became deeply interested in the mission Martha Berry had begun. In 1925, Clara Hall was constructed and named in honor of Mrs. Clara Ford. Just a few years later, in 1928, additional buildings were added—Mary Halls, a recitation hall, auditorium, weaving room, library, and recreation hall—together completing what is now known as the Ford Complex.

These buildings were constructed over three years by the Thomas Starrett Company of New York under a $1 million contract. Ford selected his own architects and stonemasons to ensure the project’s quality and beauty. However, he declined public credit for the buildings, fearing he might be expected to maintain them for life.

Originally referred to as the “Martha Berry School for Girls,” the buildings began to be known as the Ford Complex following Ford’s death in 1947. Today, the site is sometimes affectionately called the “Ford Castle” for its grand, castle-like architecture and historical significance.