|
Association
Tour
Information
Rental
& Sales Listing
Community
Issues
Historic
Preservation
Area
Map
Herald Advertisers
Links
Main Page
Email:
heritage@heritagehillweb.org
|
2006 HERITAGE HILL HOME TOUR
TOUR HOUSE DETAILS
Saturday and Sunday, October 7th and 8th, 2006
Hours: 11 am to 5 pm on Saturday
Noon to 6 pm on Sunday
 |
303 Madison SE – Built in 1883, this graceful
Queen Anne home is a notable example of the charm and style of this type of
architecture. The home’s street appeal has had many a Hill visitor over the
years wondering when it would ever be on the annual Tour. We’re excited to
say, “here it is,” and you’ll be even happier knowing the care taken to
renovate the inside is exactly what you would expect after seeing the
outside. |
 |
31 Prospect SE – We are very fortunate to have
two homes on Tour this year that withstood the ravages of urban renewal and
apartment conversions. This home, built circa 1872-1874, later became home
to furniture mogul, Charles R. Sligh. It was the following family, however,
the Denisons, who delivered this structure from the World War I years to the
late 1970’s virtually untouched. The current owners took over the reigns at
that time and have not let us down. Many World War I posters and artifacts
are reminders of the caretakers of this remarkable home. |
 |
71 Lafayette NE – Our other survivor of the
wrath brought upon this neighborhood from the 1940’s through the 1970’s.
Built circa 1873, this house has only undergone two major renovations. The
first took place between 1912 and 1915, shortly after the McKnight family
purchased it. The second occurred just over the last two years when it was
purchased from the estate of the last McKnight relative to occupy the house.
Don’t be dismayed, however. This last renovation left the wonderful lighting
fixtures, accents and hardware that remind us all of museum-quality
craftsmanship. |
 |
505 College SE – The Amberg House was
contracted to Frank Lloyd Wright in 1910, though much of the work was taken
over and completed by a talented assistant to the well-known architect. It
is very typical of Wright prairie-style houses, and will more than satisfy
the Wright-fascination in all of us. |
 |
138 Prospect NE – This Elizabethan
Revival-style home was built in 1925 and it as much of a prize on this
year’s tour as its contents. The home’s art and artifacts have all either
been created by the owner, an enthusiastic participant in painting,
sculpture and photography, or collected by the family on trips to Europe,
the Caribbean, Indonesia, Morocco, Turkey and Mexico. |
 |
168 Prospect NE – Built circa 1865, this is
one of the oldest homes in the neighborhood. It sits on the eastern edge of
the original 1850 city boundary and still has all the farmhouse charm it had
when it was considered the “sticks” of Grand Rapids. While the date of its
construction is not known, some sources of the home’s history report the
house served as a battalion aid station during the latter years of the Civil
War. |
 |
342 Morris SE – This 1908 home has been given
a new lease on life by its current owners. A lot of original fixtures remain
and the built-in storage on the second floor is like heaven compared to many
other homes of the era. Though the renovation and improvements are
first-rate, it still retains a family feel fitting for this couple raising
four children in the Hill today. |
|
Also on Tour this year, The Women’s City Club, Fountain Montessori School
and an example of post-World War I apartment living, The Bachelder. |
|
|
|
