Driving Tour Detroit to Midland (Dow) to Toledo (Bungalows?)
Driving Tour Detroit to Midland (Dow) to Toledo (Bungalows?)
I will be visiting the Alden Down Home and Studio in Midland. Has anyone done an informal driving tour to see some other Midland landmarks by Dow that they can share? I'll then be traveling to Toledo, OH. Again, is anyone aware of informal driving tours to see any notable bungalows or the like? I will be flying into and out of Detroit. I've visited Affleck (loved it). I'll also be trying to see Smith if it is open (contacts would be welcome). Any other notable places I should see during my short visit to the hot midwest? I'll be looking for any Dow, Wright, Prairie, Mid Cent Mod, or Arts & Craft Bungalows in that general vicinity. I've already made my pilgrimages to Grand Rapids (Meyer May), Kalamazoo, and Galesburg. I tried visiting the Dominoes building (Ann Arbor), but I don't think they do tours anymore. Due to committments, I'm staying within a 2 hour geographic circle of Detroit Airport this time around. Many thanks to everyone.
Dow, Wright, Etc.
By the way, I visited Weltzheimer/Johnson during my last trek to Ohio (and they do an exceptional job there -- kudos to them) and Westcott (also well done -- one that cannot be appreciated in pictures -- you need to gaze up at the roof to realize the Japanese influence that is somewhat obscured in the pictures). Anyway, I'm from CA and only get to the midwest infrequently, but am sure to visit a key work whenever there, so I do really appreciate what anyone shares.....and I'm not above driving around the middle of nowhere to stare through some trees at something that "might be" Wright.
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Wrightgeek
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Let's start with the Detroit area.
You should contact the Cranbrook Museum of Art before you leave on your trip to see about the possibility of a tour of the MM Smith Residence nearby. You should also inqurie about a tour of the Cranbrook campus, and especially the Saarinen house on the campus.
The Turkel Residence is easily visible from the road, and is certainly worth a look. The owners are great people, and if you reach out to them in advance they may give you permission to walk around the grounds.
There is an automotive repair shop on Woodward Ave. in Ferndale called Wetmore's. FLW was hired to design a new building for the owner years ago that never got built, but there was some interior remodeling that did get done and it is still in place and visible. Just mention to someone there what you are trying to see and they will point it out to you. When I visited there about a year ago they were quite friendly and said that people stop by fairly often to have a look. It's worth a few minutes since you are going to be in the area.
You should try to see the Lafayette Park project by Mies, and Pewabic Pottery is a great place if you like A&C tiles and pottery. The Charles Lang Freer House on the campus of Wayne State Univ. is certainly worth touring, as is the interior of the Scarab Club building nearby. There are also several Yamasaki buildings around Detroit if you like his work.
In Plymouth, the Wall Residence sits back aways from the road, but is visible, while the Goddard Residence next door is difficult to get a look at from the road. And in Ann Arbor, you can see a fair bit of the Palmer Residence from the street that curves around the perimeter of the property. While in Ann Arbor, you should tour the campus of UM, and be sure not to miss Motawi Tile (free tours on Thurs. mornings).
Okemos is only 90 minutes from the Detroit airport, so if you have not been there you can see four FLW Usonians in this suburb of Lansing, all of which are visible from the street. BTW, on the dead end street where Brauner and Edwards are located, there is also a Keck & Keck house, next to Brauner.
As for Midland, there are probably a couple dozen Dow buildings in town, and I would suggest contacting the Home & Studio to see if they can provide you with a list or a map before you get into town.
You should also check out this website. I found a church in Toledo and a residence in Detroit that may be of interest to you.
http://www.prairieschooltraveler.com/home.html
It's getting quite late now here in the Midwest, so I am going to sign off for the night. If I think of anything else for your trip, I'll post it here at a later date. In the meantime, I hope this gives you some good ideas.
Good night.
You should contact the Cranbrook Museum of Art before you leave on your trip to see about the possibility of a tour of the MM Smith Residence nearby. You should also inqurie about a tour of the Cranbrook campus, and especially the Saarinen house on the campus.
The Turkel Residence is easily visible from the road, and is certainly worth a look. The owners are great people, and if you reach out to them in advance they may give you permission to walk around the grounds.
There is an automotive repair shop on Woodward Ave. in Ferndale called Wetmore's. FLW was hired to design a new building for the owner years ago that never got built, but there was some interior remodeling that did get done and it is still in place and visible. Just mention to someone there what you are trying to see and they will point it out to you. When I visited there about a year ago they were quite friendly and said that people stop by fairly often to have a look. It's worth a few minutes since you are going to be in the area.
You should try to see the Lafayette Park project by Mies, and Pewabic Pottery is a great place if you like A&C tiles and pottery. The Charles Lang Freer House on the campus of Wayne State Univ. is certainly worth touring, as is the interior of the Scarab Club building nearby. There are also several Yamasaki buildings around Detroit if you like his work.
In Plymouth, the Wall Residence sits back aways from the road, but is visible, while the Goddard Residence next door is difficult to get a look at from the road. And in Ann Arbor, you can see a fair bit of the Palmer Residence from the street that curves around the perimeter of the property. While in Ann Arbor, you should tour the campus of UM, and be sure not to miss Motawi Tile (free tours on Thurs. mornings).
Okemos is only 90 minutes from the Detroit airport, so if you have not been there you can see four FLW Usonians in this suburb of Lansing, all of which are visible from the street. BTW, on the dead end street where Brauner and Edwards are located, there is also a Keck & Keck house, next to Brauner.
As for Midland, there are probably a couple dozen Dow buildings in town, and I would suggest contacting the Home & Studio to see if they can provide you with a list or a map before you get into town.
You should also check out this website. I found a church in Toledo and a residence in Detroit that may be of interest to you.
http://www.prairieschooltraveler.com/home.html
It's getting quite late now here in the Midwest, so I am going to sign off for the night. If I think of anything else for your trip, I'll post it here at a later date. In the meantime, I hope this gives you some good ideas.
Good night.
I wouldn't bother with the two houses in Plymouth if time is limited - you really can't see much of anything from public roads (only a tiny glimpse). Okemos would be far more productive. There is also no convenient place to park other than the dirt shoulder.
Wall residence: http://www.flwright.us/FLW281.htm
Goddard: http://www.flwright.us/FLW364.htm (note that the best view is from next door)
Wetmore's is interesting. Prof. Storrer removed it from his book because he did not think it significant enough. Here is my story and photos about that location: http://www.flwright.us/FLW348.htm My article also links to the Wright structures along the Woodward corridor and gives a more accurate (changed) address for one of the properties. Do not try to use Woodward during the Dream Cruise, though. It is a great spectacle, but it is like being in a parade for 6 or 8 miles. (I am not bad-mouthing the event - it is one of my favorites - but it is nearly impossible to park or drive in the northern suburbs that weekend or the days leading up to it) http://www.woodwarddreamcruise.com/
Wall residence: http://www.flwright.us/FLW281.htm
Goddard: http://www.flwright.us/FLW364.htm (note that the best view is from next door)
Wetmore's is interesting. Prof. Storrer removed it from his book because he did not think it significant enough. Here is my story and photos about that location: http://www.flwright.us/FLW348.htm My article also links to the Wright structures along the Woodward corridor and gives a more accurate (changed) address for one of the properties. Do not try to use Woodward during the Dream Cruise, though. It is a great spectacle, but it is like being in a parade for 6 or 8 miles. (I am not bad-mouthing the event - it is one of my favorites - but it is nearly impossible to park or drive in the northern suburbs that weekend or the days leading up to it) http://www.woodwarddreamcruise.com/
Thank you Wrightgeek and jcmnally
Thank you Wrightgeek and jcmnally. These are great suggestions and resources. The fun part will be seeing how many of these I can fit in. Many thanks again.
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Paul Ringstrom
- Posts: 4777
- Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2005 4:53 pm
- Location: Mason City, IA
There are sixty-one buildings in Midland designed by Alden Dow and they are listed on a map the his home&studio will have available.
http://www.abdow.org/
http://www.abdow.org/
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Roderick Grant
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Goetsch-Winckler House
Does anyone know if it is possible to visit Goetsch-Winckler? I've seen various things in the news about restoration, but wasn't sure about current state of ownership.
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Wrightgeek
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- Location: Westerville, Ohio
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Wrightgeek
- Posts: 1548
- Joined: Fri Jan 07, 2005 5:21 pm
- Location: Westerville, Ohio
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classic form
- Posts: 182
- Joined: Tue Dec 05, 2006 6:44 pm
- Location: Kalamazoo, Mich.
Here is the Michigan Modern website by the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office...good browsing for significant buildings.
http://michiganmodern.org/architects-de ... ick-house/
http://michiganmodern.org/architects-de ... ick-house/
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Wrightgeek
- Posts: 1548
- Joined: Fri Jan 07, 2005 5:21 pm
- Location: Westerville, Ohio
FLWLAB-
Click on the link below for info about an upcoming tour of the MM Smith Residence in late Sept. to be overseen by the Cranbrook Museum of Art. I hope this fits in to your travel schedule.
http://www.cranbrookart.edu/museum/CAMpe3.html
Click on the link below for info about an upcoming tour of the MM Smith Residence in late Sept. to be overseen by the Cranbrook Museum of Art. I hope this fits in to your travel schedule.
http://www.cranbrookart.edu/museum/CAMpe3.html
Not that you asked for this in particular, but when you are in Toledo-vist the Toledo Museum of Art's Glass Pavillion. It is a stunning building by Saana-a Japanese architectural firm. The contrast with the Beaux Arts building across the street is wonderful. Cross the street and walk through the sculpture garden in front of the original building. Then wander around the corner and see the Frank Gehry addition. It is an architectural delight!
Thank you
Thank you to all the Wright Chatters who offered advice on my brief trip to Ohio/Michigan. I ended up spending two days in Midland, and can't say enough about it. The tour of the Dow Home and Studio was extremely well done. The home is amazing, and you are encouraged to sit on the furniture, in the windows in the Submarine room, on the Eames chairs, etc. The archives are amazing for architects and enthusiasts alike. The Wright influence is seen throughout; however, with Dow's own interpretations and touches. Even where the Wright influence is obvious, it is fun to see how Dow tastefully created his own design aesthetic. Thanks to Paul Ringstrom who advised getting the map in the bookstore. The tour guide did not mention it...and it is not obvious...and I am glad I knew to ask about it thanks to this posting. I spent an afternoon and the following morning driving through Midland. In addition to the Dow homes, there are many homes in the Midwestern Modern style, including some Usonians and some surprisingly inoffensive Fred Llloyd Wrights. Midland is an architecture paradise if you like that particular style. Here's a sampling of the homes. http://www.trianglemodernisthouses.com/dow.htm. The Dow Gardens were equally enjoyable and well worth the visit. The Dow presence is felt throughout the area, and the whole city feels curated to preserve the architectural and social contributions to the area. I can't recommend it enough. I was able to drive past the Smith home and surrounding area, but Cranbrook was not giving tours at the time. I saw the link for tours from Unbrook, and am disappointed I won't make it. However, Cranbrook does an amazing job with their tours, and recommend that anyone in the area check it out. Many thanks again to everyone who responded.