MIDLAND GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Tour with a Movie: Alden Dow’s houses, gardens and seasonal film scenes in Midland
A guided, two-hour themed walk-and-screen program at the Alden B. Dow Home and Studio that pairs archival film clips with on-site architecture and garden visits.
Tour with a Movie: Alden Dow’s houses, gardens and seasonal film scenes in Midland.
Join Movie Sunday 2026 for themed tours that weave archival film clips with close-up encounters of Alden Dow’s iconic structures, the surrounding Dow Gardens and seasonal holiday scenes—an intimate two-hour program that places architecture and landscape alongside family films and historic footage.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Dow Test House: construction caught on film
Vintage footage from the Dow Test House (1963–64) documents foundation work, brick and block walls, roof panel installation and other construction sequences—offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at Dow-era building methods paired with the standing structure you visit on the tour.
An Experience: gardens, rafts and the ABD house
Clips labeled An Experience (1953) follow two girls poling a wood raft through lush plantings and approaching the Alden B. Dow house—film moments that illuminate the relationship between house, water and the surrounding Dow Gardens you explore on the walk.
Family films and holiday scenes: Disney, Christmas and Snow Hill
Monthly themes include family and holiday programs such as Disney & Christmas (1972) and the Snow Hill (1925) footage of sledding at Revere Park—seasonal and familial scenes that complement the winter and holiday moods showcased on the tour.
What the day feels like
How the program feels on the ground
Over two hours the program alternates short outdoor viewing moments with guided stops at the Alden B. Dow Home and Studio, Dow Test House and sections of Dow Gardens, using film clips to amplify details of construction, planting and seasonal life—an attentive, layered visit that pairs historical context with present-day views.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this program suits—and who should plan differently.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Session length is two hours, 1pm–3pm. Headline dates include Feb 7, Mar 7, Apr 4, Nov 7 and Dec 5, 2026; other source text notes Movie Tours run on the first Saturday of November and December—confirm the specific date for the theme you want.
Cost is $25 per person. Preregistration is required; participants must meet the operator’s age requirement.
Meet at the Alden B. Dow Home and Studio for the tour departure and film viewing segments.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Tour with a Movie program?
Each session runs two hours, from 1pm to 3pm.
When are the 2026 dates for Tour with a Movie?
Headline dates listed are Feb 7, Mar 7, Apr 4, Nov 7 and Dec 5, 2026; the program also notes Movie Tours run on the first Saturday of November and December—confirm the date for the theme you plan to attend.
Where do I meet for the tour?
The meeting location is the Alden B. Dow Home and Studio.
How much does the tour cost and are children allowed?
The cost is $25 per person; the program is for ages 8 and up.
Do themes change each month?
Yes—each month features a different theme, pairing specific film clips with the tour’s architectural and garden stops.