uch was the capacity of Fair Lane's Powerhouse that in 1920 its hydropower system supplied electricity to all 2000 inhabitants of West Dearborn Michigan. Henry Ford was an avid promoter of water as a clean, abundant energy source. At Fair Lane he dammed the Rouge River to divert a portion through two turbines built sixteen feet below the Powerhouse floor. Within the Generator Room, two direct current (DC) hydro-electric generators transformed the force into electrical energy to provide power to the estate.

Just in case the Rouge River should fail to provide enough energy due to flood or  low  water levels,  a backup steam engine, long familiar to Mr. Ford    from    his    days    at    Edison 

Illuminating , was installed (Ford had spent several years of his early adulthood tending generators for the Edison Illuminating Company in Detroit). Powerhouse workers remembered many times when Henry Ford would appear after dinner to tinker with the steam engine he was so familiar with.  

Details of the Generator Room seem to reflect Mr. Ford's Emersonian belief that nature and technology can work together for the common good. Copper vent covers positioned at the top of the room depict the bird life which could be found in abundance at the estate. 

Mr. Ford took such pride and pleasure in this building that he had a plaque mounted to note "Henry Ford Power House".