2012 Spring - Volume 29 No.1 - Grosse Pointe Historical Society

theMooringsGrosse PointeHistorical Societyestablished 1945Spring 2012Vol. 29 No. 1By the Light of the Silvery MoonFriday, June 15, 2012 • 7 p.m.A benefit for the Grosse Pointe Historical Society atan English Country House designed by an American MasterClassic Cocktails and Elegant Hors D’oeuvresserved in the traditional Grosse Pointe MannerDocent-led house tours • Jack McCormick at the grand pianoMusic in the Garden • Vintage auto on displayAlbert Kahn designed the Tudor-style home that is the site of this year’sfundraiser in 1927 for Jerome H. Remick, the largest publisher of sheetmusic of his time. Remick pioneered the sheet music store. Across theUnited States, “Remick Song Shops” allowed patrons to try out thehot Tin Pan Alley Hits. The Remick list of composers and lyricists included:George Gershwin, Harry Warren, Al Dubin, Gus Kahn, and RichardWhiting. Remick’s taste in music was inclusive.As a major supporter of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Remick servedseveral times as its president. His contributions were critical to the construction ofOrchestra Hall and the hiring of Ossip Gabrilowitsch as the DSO’s conductor.This gracious and elegant home has been painstakingly restored by currentowner, David Montgomery. Attendance is limited. Call 313-884-7010 forinformation and reservations.Points of HistoryCelebrates HistoricBuildings May 8The annual Points of History celebration takesplace on Tuesday, May 8, at 7 p.m. at the GrossePointe War Memorial, 32 Lakeshore Drive.Bronze plaques will be awarded to three homes:an original Ribbon Farm farmhouse in GrossePointe Woods, a home and garden designed byCharles Platt in Grosse Pointe and a homedesigned by Louis Kamper in Grosse PointeFarms. A Power Point display of all the pastrecipients will be presented and refreshmentswill be served. The event is free and open to thepublic. For more information, call 884-7010.2012 Ribbon FarmDays start June 19Ribbon Farm Days gives children (or grandchildren)an opportunity to experience GrossePointe summers in the 1800’s: Play with vintagetoys, bake desserts from scratch, paint, sculpt, sew,dye fabrics, weave, dip candles, hammer tin cansand mold clay.Sign your children up for 2012 Ribbon FarmDays featuring three different two-week summersessions for children around the ages of 6 to 12years old.Thisexperience givesyour children anopportunity towork and playin a house thatis consideredto be Grosse Pointes oldest surviving residence.Held at the Provencal-Weir House, c. 1823, 376Kercheval, Grosse Pointe Farms, in June, July andAugust, sessions are on Tuesdays and Thursdaysfrom 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.See pg. 5 for the complete schedule or visit usonline at www.gphistorical.org.The girls are painting their pots for their soaps.

Second Saturday May 121-3 p.m., Provencal-Weir House, 376 KerchevalPaint your very own beautiful Bird House to hang inyour back yard!Ages 7+ $15 for members; $20 non-membersPlease make a reservation by May 10. Call 313-884-7010Izzy’s CornerIzzy’s Second Saturdays RecapAfter one of Michigan’s warmest winters onrecord, Ian Plansker proudly displays a snowman hewas able to build using the items made at Izzy’s SecondSaturday event held in January called “Snowman Kit.”Each kit contained a plastic hat, a fleece scarf that thechildren cut the fringe on and Easter eggs for buttons.The children molded charcoal, carrots and pipes out ofFimo clay which was then baked in the oven for about30 minutes to harden. All the contents are stored inthe hat for re-use.On March 10th, children came to the “Sew and Stuff your very own Polar Bear”event at the Provencal-Weir House.Each child traced and cut the beartemplate and sewed their polarbears as they stuffed them. Here thechildren proudly show off theirfinished products!Success! We melted white chocolate, hammeredcandy canes and mixed them together in a bowl.Then we poured the mixture into Christmas moldsto cool. Of course we had to have a taste test.Mmmm. Dee-lish. Then we put them in a Christmasbag and adorned them with a bell.GPA visits One-Room School with Trevor Cloras HeadmasterSchool visitsOn Feb. 10, 28 Grosse PointeAcademy fifth-graders graced theOne-Room School House for a fullday of classes.Trevor Clor presided as theSchool Master while his teamteacher, Katy Klimczuk, assisted.Gina McEveny’s Special Edclass from Parcell’s Middle School tovisit the One-Room School on Feb.15 for a half-day session. They touredthe house, read from the McGuffyreaders and wrote sentences on theslate chalk board. Lunch was in theparlor and during recess, studentsplayed with the vintage toys.To date, there are 37 classes andfive scout groups are scheduled forthe One-Room School.Izzy DonnellyDirector of EducationKiki Herfert, 1942-2012Past board member and friend Kiki Ann Herfertpassed away on Friday, March 23, 2012.A Trustee for the GPHS from 2004 through 2009,Kiki was a passionate historian and a tremendousasset to GPHS. A huge supporter of Grosse PointePark, she helped organize the View of Fairview tourswith friend Nick Sinacori. “Kiki’s passing has left avoid with respect to a liaison to Grosse Pointe Parkand she was very important in organizing and promotingView of Fairview” says Sinacori. She wrote apaper at Wayne State University calledA History of the Growth and Development ofGrosse Pointe Park which is a testimony to Kiki’sknowledge and passion of local history. Althoughwe won’t see her walk through the doors of theResource Center, Kiki’s love of history will live inthe heart of the GPHS.OfficersSusan Hartz..................................................PresidentJack McCormick..............Vice President-AdministrationStuart Grigg..................... Vice President-DevelopmentSusan Bologna.......................Vice President-EducationHerman Mozer.................. Vice President-PreservationSteve Vella................................................... TreasurerMarlene Harle..............................................SecretaryKay AgneyDenis BouchardSusan BudrysDoug CordierDoug DossinDebbie GraffiusGreg JakubSusan LewandowskiCharles BerschbackPatricia R. ColettMichael FarleyLisa Mower GandelotNancy GriffinStuart GriggDirector of EducationIzzy DonnellyAdministratorHelga LiedtkeParliamentarianAndrea WeyhingBoard of TrusteesHonorary BoardPhotos taken byIzzy DonnellyMary Lighton ShaferGail SidlekElizabeth SobyDavid TarrantScott VandemergelElizabeth VogelPeggy WoodhouseRonald C. LamparterHerman MozerRussell H. PeeblesThomas E. Singelyn, DDSMichael SkinnerGail R. Stroh-MarentetteCurator EmeritusJean DodenhoffWebmasterJay HunterMoorings EditorAnn Marie AliottaNot Yet a Member? Want to donate?Visit www.gphistorical.org fora convenient way to do both.Select the link“Join & Support GPHS.”The Grosse Pointe Historical SocietyHeadquarters, Provencal-Weir House, c. 1823,376 Kercheval Ave., is open the second Saturdayof each month during special events, and byappointment.The Alfred B. and Ruth S. Moran Resource Center,381 Kercheval Ave., is open Tuesday andWednesday, 10:00 AM–12:30 PM and 1:30–4:00p.m. for research. Telephone: (313) 884-7010.Website: www.gphistorical.org2

Services for Older CitizensA Home of thier Own(This article is taken from information on the SOC website,socservices.org.)Since 1978, Services for Older Citizens has been helpingseniors remain in their own home with dignity. Today, SOCserves 9,000 of the 11,000 seniors in our community each year.But in 34 years of serving the community, SOC was outgrowingits facilities and the need for a building that has adequatespace for the programs the seniors need was becoming evident.A NEW FACILITYSOC’s vision is a simple one--to continue to provide thebest services to seniors living in the Grosse Pointes and HarperWoods communities. To realize this vision, SOC was gifted alease for $1.00 on a 10,000 sq. ft. facility for the next 30 years- the beautiful, historic Newberry House on Ridge Road inGrosse Pointe Farms adjacent to Cottage Hospital. Thisgenerous donation by Henry Ford Health System willdramatically transform senior services in the Grosse Pointesand Harper Woods by providing more space for programswhile also making sure that SOC will remain economicallysustainable.Currently an estimated $3 million restoration of theNewberry House is taking place. The new facility will include:• A lobby with a (volunteer) receptionist• A dedicated dining/banquet room available for SOCactivities and community events• A fully functional kitchen• Several multi-purpose activity rooms adaptable to exerciseand yoga classes, crafts, educational classrooms for lecturesand computer classesLewis Mansion/Parish Houseat St. Paul’s Catholic ChurchThe Parish House on St. Paul’s property has a wonderful rich history.Below are two letters describing the origins of this property.• A mediacenter• A safe,welcoming place to have coffee, play cards and sit incomfortable chairs with a friend at all hours of the day• Private offices for social workers• Increased office space to accommodate 100% morevolunteers than SOC can currently have at any given time.The new home on Ridge Road will vastly enhance SOC’sability to improve its programming. Current programs offeredmonthly will be offered weekly, including:• Teas• Birthday celebrations• Theme weeks• Educational programs• Special WorkshopsCurrent programs offered weekly will be offered daily.This will include:• Computer classes• Lunch five days a week instead of four• Trips• Wii tournamentsNewberry HouseAs many people know, the Newberry House was at onetime a nurses’ residence. SOC is asking anyone with memoriesor photos of their time spent at the home to call them.SOC is currently operating in the Henry Ford MedicalCenter – Cottage, 159 Kercheval on the 3rd floor. For moreinformation, call 882-6900.Letter from E. LewisThese houses were built in the late 1800s, maybe 1890. The one on the left,Alexander C. Lewis, my grandfather, lived in it until he died in 1908. Then itwas sold to Edwin Scott Barbour and years later sold to Mrs. Barbour’s nephew Byrus Henry. St. Paul Catholic Church, 157 Lake Shore Drive, G. P. F.purchased it in about 1930? It is now the parish house for the church. The other house on the right belonged to my father A. Aug. Lewis where we lived untilhe died in 1919. It was then sold about 1927 to Mrs. John Wendell Anderson who had it torn down about 1930. The property is now owned by the Church.I hope this bit of information will be of some help.Sincerely, E. LewisLewis MansionLetter from Annette RemickHouse on 151 Lake Shore Road. In the Burton abstract #301371, my grandfather, Alexander Lewis, purchased this property in 1854 from Thomas W.Lewis, a relative. (Brother I think) My grandfather built these two houses with the bridge on top. (When, I do not know). He lived with our family on theone on the right, next to the church, and “gave” the other each summer to a different son or daughter, Muir, Currie, Carpenter, Henry B. Lewis families. Latermy father, Ingersoll Lewis bought both houses from our Lewis Estate, and then the insurance company made him remove the bridge as it was a fire risk. Welived for years in the house on the right, later selling the other house to Edwin Barbour, in about 1922. Mrs. Barbour’s father was then living next door to ourproperty-Mr. Albert Henry, father of Burns Henry and Edith Henry Barbour.After renting this house of our on Ridge Road from the Deans for 22 years I have just bought it – so am now, once again back on old Lewis property,where I used to come with my pony cart, as a child – it was all fields and a lovely violet filled swamp then!Cordially,Annette Remick3

GPHS blue prints find a new homeThe GPHS has been responsible for hundreds of blue prints that werebrought in years ago from the Grosse Pointe city and real estate offices. Theproper storage of these blue prints has been a challenge. Though light in weight,they take up a lot of space.When more blue prints became available from the Grosse Pointe Park offices,former board member Peter Robbins offered to house them in his basement.That was over 15 years ago. Eager to keep these valuable remnants ofGrosse Pointe’s architectural history properly stored, the GPHS searched for anappropriate place for these blue prints.During a recent meeting to determine another collaborative project betweenthe GPHS and the Grosse Pointe Public Library Director, Vickey Bloom,Assistant Director, James Moffett and Reference Librarian Mary Rapas, agreedto find safe storage space for these documents.The GPHS Board of Trustees unanimously approved the merger and onThursday, March 29, six trusty volunteers suited up and delivered these treasuresto the Grosse Pointe Woods Library.The GPHS blue prints have been properly catalogued thanksto the hard work of long time volunteer Ellie Moran. She handwrote the addresses of every blueprint on round labels back whenJean Dodenhoff was in charge. “This made my job much easier,”said Michelle Agosta, current manager of the blue prints.The prints from Grosse Pointe Park are another story. Theyneed to be labeled and catalogued. “This will takes months for usto accomplish,” says Agosta. The ultimate goal of this project isto have blue print reproduction capability available to the community.If anyone in any of the Pointes has blue prints in their homesand would like to see them stored safely at the Library, call theGPHS at 313-884-7010.The blue print volunteer team has loaded theU-haul and are ready to transport the blue printsto the GPW Library.From left to right: Adrianna Agosta, JackMcCormick, Izzy Donnelly and Mike Skinner.Not shown are Gail Sidlek and Michelle Agosta.GPW library – the blue prints are on the shelves.From left to right: Katie Ecclestone, Mark Pinney, Michelle Agosta andVickey Bloom, Director of the Grosse Pointe Library.Social Secretary BooksThank you to those of you who brought in the Social Secretary books werequested in the last Moorings!These books are valuable assets to membersworking on home and family research.Because of your donations, we have added11 books to our collection. (Please see thedonor list for details). After contacting theSocial Secretary office of Grosse Pointe wealso received the blue books from 2010 and2011. They informed us that all future bookswill be printed every other year.We are still looking for 1959 and 2003 of the blue books and 1922, 1924,1925, 1926, 1929, 1933, 1934, 1936, 1938, 1942 and 1945 of the brown books.13 books were added to the “Blue book” cabinet4

2011 Annual Appeal (continued)Mr. James P. DanaherMs. Anne DauphinaisMs. Michelle DeLand and Mr. Brent KelsoMr. and Mrs. Robert DennerMrs. Dorothy DenommeMrs. Maureen E. Devine and Mr. Larry BaranskiMs. Amy DeWys-VanHeckeMr. and Mrs. Robert J. Diehl, Jr.Ms. Margaret K. DietzMr. John C. Donnellyin memory of Meva TahirovicMs. Mary Kathryn DuCharmeMr. and Mrs. Lawrence DuMouchelleMs. Virginia DurandMr. and Mrs. Dale EhresmanMr. John EntenmanMr. and Mrs. Charles E. Exley, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. Michael FarleyMr. and Mrs. James A. FitzgeraldMrs. Warren A. FloranceMr. and Mrs. Ronald G. ForsterMr. and Mrs. Mark L. FosseeMr. and Mrs. H. Richard FruehaufMrs. William R. FulgenziMs. Meta C. GallagherMrs. Joseph F. GalvinMrs. Max GardnerMr. and Mrs. Eugene GargaroMr. and Mrs. Michael Gietzenin memory of Lawrence and Augustine LetoMs. Anne GinnMr. and Mrs. Alfred R. Glancy IIIMr. and Mrs. Daniel R. GoodnowMr. and Mrs. John GraffiusMr. and Mrs. Thomas GriffithMr. Stuart W. GriggMr. Michael Kennedy, Head of SchoolDr. and Dr. George GrunbergerMr. Frederick E. HaassMs. Marlene HarleMr. and Mrs. Jonathan HartzMr. and Mrs. J. Edward HaugDr. and Mrs. Richard A. HerbertMr. and Mrs. Mark HigbieMr. and Mrs. Mark R. HighMr. John HobenMr. and Mrs. Michael D. HollerbachMr. Donald P. HowardMr. Arthur B. HudsonMs. Susan M. IgnasiakMr. and Mrs. George G. JeromeMr. Jerry StockingMs. Joy E. JohnsonMr. and Mrs. A. David JonesMr. and Mrs. Richard W. KayMr. and Mrs. Daniel N. KingMr. and Mrs. Louis E. Kircosin memory of John S. BarbourMr. and Mrs. Paul M. KochMr. George E. KrieseMr. and Mrs. Harry KurtzMr. and Mrs. Richard W. Lambrecht, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. Jack LandinMrs. John D. LangstonMr. and Mrs. Craig LarsenMr. Paul LavinsDr. and Dr. James W. LepczykMs. Susan M. LewandowskiMr. and Mrs. Rudolph J. LiedtkeMrs. Kathryn MacKayMr. and Mrs. Gordon R. Maitland, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. Sean H. Maloneyin memory of William PepplerMr. and Mrs. Dutch L. MandelMr. and Mrs. Richard ManoogianCol. and Mrs. Michael V. MarstonMr. and Mrs. Charles MathewsMr. and Mrs. Michael J. Matteiin memory of Sterling GrahamMr. and Mrs. Richard C. McBrienin memory of Richard Clare McBrien, Sr.and JuniorMr. and Mrs. Graham McCabeMr. and Mrs. Thomas F. McClanaghanMr. and Mrs. Thomas P. McClearyMr. and Mrs. John McCormickMrs. Mary Jane McKeeverMr. and Mrs. Patrick McKeeverMr. Alex McLuckieMr. and Mrs. Peter J. MercierMr. and Mrs. Richard K. MillerDr. Robert G. Mobley and Dr. Mary T. MurrayMr. and Mrs. Manuel J. MorounMr. and Mrs. William MoseleyMr. and Mrs. James Motschall, Jr.Mr. Herman MozerMr. Frank MullenMs. Karen NardoneMr. and Mrs. Louis E. NeuderMr. and Mrs. James M. NicholsonMrs. Jane Kay NugentDr. Patricia E. O’BrienMr. and Mrs. William OuelletteMr. and Mrs. Benjamin J. Paddock, IIIMrs. Manuel PapistaMr. and Mrs. John E. Parkin memory of Ruth and Al MoranMr. and Mrs. Robert B. PayneMr. and Mrs. Russell H. PeeblesMr. and Mrs. Dale PeggMr. and Mrs. David H. PerezJudge Lynne PierceMs. Mickie M. PizzimentiMr. and Mrs. Stanley ProkopMrs. Gerald ProkopowiczMrs. Sara M. Ralphin memory of my Mother and FatherMr. and Mrs. William C. Rands IIIMr. Brandon M. RogersMirielle and Warren Wilkinson at theOpen House Christmas Party held at thePWH in December.Mr. and Mrs. Richard D. RohrMr. and Mrs. Frank J. RoneyMrs. George RoumellMs. Christine A. RoznowskiMrs. Penny RudolphMr. William M. RutledgeMs. Paula Sutton SarvisMr. and Mrs. Robert R. SchroederMr. James L. SchrothMs. Ruth SchuelerMr. Joseph SchwartzMrs. Fred M. SibleyDr. and Mrs.Thomas E. Singelyn, DDSMr. and Mrs. Michael W. Skinnerin honor of Susan HartzMr. Kenneth SkurdaMr. and Mrs. Kinnie SmithMr. and Mrs. William Sosnowskyin memory of Ralph VigliottiDr. and Mrs. Henry SpragueMr. Thomas R. Stansfield, Jr.Mrs. Charles C. Sullivan IIIMrs. L. Carl SultzmanMr. and Mrs. Edmund R. SutherlandMs. Sheila M. SweenyMr. and Mrs. J. Gerard TeaganMr. and Mrs. Robert L. Thibodeau, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. Charles B. Van Dusen IIMr. and Mrs. Stephen P. VellaMr. and Mrs. George W. VlamisMr. and Mrs. Gerald E. WarrenMs. Karyn WeirDr. and Mrs. B. Thomas Weyhing IIIin memory of Winnifred Marsh WeyhingMs. Linda M. WhelanDr. and Mrs. Fred W. WhitehouseMr. Lawrence S. WilkinsonMr. and Mrs. Jeffery WillemainDr. and Mrs. John H. WilliamsDr. and Mrs. Francis M. WilsonMr. and Mrs. Edward A. WolkingMs. Deborah WolneyMr. and Mrs. John T. Woodhousein honor of Michael Farley7

Children of theAmerican RevolutionHost John Paul Jones,George Washingtonat the Provencal-WeirHouseThe National Society of theChildren of the American Revolution’sJohn PaulJones Societyis sponsoredby theLouisaSt. ClairChapter ofthe NationalSocietyof theDaughters ofDavid Cowen dresses up asGeorge Washington hiscostume was complimentsof the Grosse Pointe Theatre.the AmericanRevolution.(DAR). Thissociety is opento any child(from birth to 21 years of age) who is alineal descendant of an AmericanRevolution patriot, or someone whoaided in the cause of the patriots.JPJ meets five times a year and thisyear held their 2011 Christmas meeting atthe Provencal-Weir House on December17. The program, T’was the Night BeforeChristmas, lead by Izzy Donnelly, includeda tour the PWH c. 1823 and then the logcabin c. 1840. Elizabeth Findeis, SeniortheMooringsPublished by theGrosse Pointe Historical Society381 Kercheval AvenueGrosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236(313) 884-7010(313) 884-7699 FAXe-mail: admin@gphistorical.orgWeb site: www.gphistorical.orgHours: Tues. & Wed: 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m., 1:30-4 p.m.President of JPJ provided a beautiful lunchand afterwards the beloved Christmasstory was read to the children.JPJ also had their George WashingtonBirthday party at the PWH on Feb.18. David Cowen, a professional actor,recreated the young 27 year-old Georgefor the children. David presented GeorgeWashington’s early years including how hesurveyed the great western wilderness as aGeneral of the Continental Army. Heexplained how he became the firstPresident of the United States and whyhe chose not to become a King. Followinga lunch served by Elizabeth, she broughta birthday cake celebrating the youngGeorge Washington’s 280th birthday.Non Profit OrgU.S. PostagePAIDDetroit, MIPermit No. 1387Children of the American Revolution come for ameeting and lunch in December at the PWH.Dr. Frank Bicknell Lectures2011-2012REMEMBERING HUDSON’SMay 16, 2012 7:30 p.mEdsel & Eleanor Ford House, 1100 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe ShoresMike Hauser, Marketing Manager at the Detroit Opera House, presents a programrelating to his latest book, Remembering Hudson’s: The Grand Dame of DetroitRetailing, co-authored with Marianne Weldon. In this book Hauser and Weldonpresent the idea that “The J. L. Hudson Company redefined the way people in our areashopped and enjoyed leisure time. Many in Metro Detroit share memories of greattimes spent shopping and enjoying spectacular events sponsored by Hudson’s. A solidand lofty icon built by businesspeople who believed in their passion, Hudson’s definedDetroit’s downtown, creating trends and traditions in consumer culture that still resonatenationwide.”Additionally, it should be noted that company founder, Joseph L. Hudson was Eleanor ClayFord’s uncle and Eleanor and Edsel Ford were married in his home on November 1, 1916.Enjoy dinner in the Cotswold Café prior to this lecture. Reservations encouraged, 313-884-4222.