Benson Ford was the second son of Edsel and Eleanor Ford and grandson of Henry and Clara Ford. He served as trustee of the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village for 36 years and succeeded his grandfather as the second Chairman of the Board for the museum from Henry Ford's death in 1947 until 1951. His deep dedication to this institution is honored by his children, Lynn Ford Alandt and Benson Ford, Jr. through their generosity in providing major support for the Benson Ford Research Center.