Archived News Release: May 30, 2024 - The Ann Arbor Historic District Commission (HDC) will present the 37th annual Historic Preservation Awards during the Monday, June 3, City Council meeting, 7 p.m. at Larcom City Hall. The award recipients are being recognized for their contributions to the history of the city of Ann Arbor through their preservation efforts. There are 12 awards this year: eight for preservation, two for rehabilitation, one special merit award and one centennial award.
The City Council meeting will air on Ann Arbor CTN (government channel), and the video featuring the awards presentation will later be available to watch via CTN on demand. Visit CTN online for details, https://www.a2gov.org/departments/communications/ctn/Pages/watch.aspx.
The HDC is providing the descriptions for each winning building or project.
Preservation Awards are presented in recognition of superior maintenance of a significant property to preserve its essential historical, cultural or architectural value for 10 years or more. The honorees are:
1617 Cambridge Road — This notable Arts and Crafts stucco home was built in 1917 for Dr. Murray Cowie, a well-known physician. Cowie was appointed Ann Arbor city physician in 1897 and served as professor of pediatrics and communicable diseases at the University of Michigan. Perhaps his most significant claim to fame was urging the state to require that iodine be added to salt to prevent goiter. The current owners have wonderfully preserved this building with its unusual arched windows. This award is presented to David Ammer and Nell Duke.
2001 Vinewood Boulevard — Built in 1919, this Prairie Style house was designed by J.J. Rousseau to be his home. Rousseau, a professor of architecture at the University of Michigan, incorporated characteristic features of the Prairie Style such as the flat roof, projecting eaves, symmetrical arrangement of windows and doors, and the use of light-colored brick punctuated with bands of darker brick. Later, another highly regarded professor of romance languages, Julio Del Toro, and his wife lived in the house for many years. This award is presented to David and Norma Golovoy.
2017 Vinewood Boulevard — This Tudor Style house was built in 1929 for Finley B. and Sally Riggs. The unusual dormers and large exterior chimney on the front contribute greatly to the beauty of the street. An 1891 article in the AA Register described the street as “a magnificent avenue… (carved from the old Ferdon Fruit Farm) … and it is doubtful if it can be surpassed by anything in Detroit…." The current owners have done a wonderful job of keeping this house beautiful and enchanting to passersby. This award is presented to Lawrence and Elizabeth Jordan.
2023 Vinewood Boulevard — This wonderful mid-century modern house was built in 1951 and designed by local architect Thomas Tanner. It was built for Harry Cook, a dentist and friend of the architect, who lived in the house until the 1990s. Cook was the son of Thomas Cook, one of the two men who founded the Ann Arbor Foundry on Jones Drive, now known as the Northern Brewery, and a local historic district. The current owners have maintained the house in pristine condition. This award is presented to Bruce and Andrea Laidlaw.
819 Avon Road — This mid-century modern home was designed by George Brigham, who is widely considered the father of modern architecture in Ann Arbor. This house was built in 1950 at the height of Brigham's career for Professor Leslie White, a well-known anthropologist, and his wife Mary. The current owners have kept the interior in pristine condition and hired local architect Robert Metcalf to remodel some of the frontage, allowing us to see the true talent of Brigham. This award is presented to David Deromedi.
1021 Chestnut Street — This 1961 house, designed by acclaimed local architect Robert Metcalf, was built for Kenneth Case, a professor of physics at the University of Michigan who wrote a significant paper about the applied uses of plasma waves. Metcalf was a consummate architect in Ann Arbor during the 1950s and 1960s and was both trained at and on the faculty of the University of Michigan. Today's owners have kept this midcentury home in beautiful condition. This award is presented to Charles and Joan Burleigh.
214 Crest Avenue — This 1914 home is a typical Old West Side house of the early 20th century. The Dutch Revival Style house and was first occupied by Frank Marks, a mason born in Germany. The house has many original features intact, including the windows, the doors and the garage with a two-strip driveway. It has been preserved by the current owners since 1976. This award is presented to Mary Parsons.
1101 West Liberty Street — This Arts and Crafts style house with matching garage was built in 1917 for Albert Lutz. Lutz was the owner of the Reliable Shoe Dealer shop on East Washington Street. The current owners purchased the property in 2011 and have kept the architecture in wonderful condition while updating the interior and mechanical systems. It is located in the Old West Side Historic District and was featured on the Old West Side Homes Tour in 2018. This award is presented to Philip and Kimberly Hughes.
Rehabilitation Awards are presented to projects that have substantially returned a property to its historic condition. The honorees are:
1435 Broadway Street — Built in 1929, this house is a Montgomery Ward Kit House in the Colonial Revival Style. This bungalow was in sad shape before it was recently renovated with the porch and windows restored. Overgrown bushes and weeds that completely obscured the house were removed as well. It was originally built by Frank Walworth, a carpenter, and replaced an earlier house on the site that dated to 1872. The house has a clipped side-gable roof and slender Doric columns which support an elliptical arch entry. It is located in the Broadway Historic District. This award is presented to Krystyna and Andrzej Dolata.
503 West Jefferson Street — This vernacular cross-gable house was built by William Hoeft for his family in 1890. He raised his nine children in the house after his wife died of pneumonia in 1899. Both were immigrants from Germany, and William was trained as a carpenter. He was active with organizations such as the Ancient Order of United Workmen, for which he served as the “overseer." The current owners have lived in the house since 2013 and have removed the non-historic siding and restored original elements. It is located in the Old West Side Historic District. This award is presented to Jon and Grace VanderVliet.
Special Merit Awards are given in recognition of exceptional projects, landscapes or other unique preservation projects, including lifetime achievements. The honorees is:
403 West Liberty Street — This Queen Anne style brick house was built by Frederick Schleicher between 1890 and 1895. It has a beautiful corner bay on a lovely fieldstone foundation and decorative work in the gables. Schleicher, the owner of a grocery store on Main Street, constructed this home on the site of his family's original c. 1850 Greek Revival house. The special merit award is presented to Janet Muhleman for the removal of the non-historic fire escapes and the construction of period-perfect porches both on the front and side elevations.
Centennial Awards are given in recognition of businesses and organizations that have existed in Ann Arbor for 100 years. The honorees is:
The Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor was organized on May 13, 1921, with 60 charter members. In 2011, the club had 176 members, making it the largest Kiwanis club in Michigan. The Ann Arbor club began raising money in 1927 through their now famous thrift sales. First held in the Armory on Ann Street, they moved to their own building in 1968 at Washington and First streets. Funds raised through these sales support many other charitable organizations such as the Red Cross, the Ann Arbor Fire Department, the Public Library Bookmobile, the Ann Arbor Hands-on Museum and Dawn Farm. These sales moved to a larger building on Staebler Road in Scio Township about 10 years ago. Their motto is, “Help us, Help Kids, Families and our Community," and they have done so now for 100 years. Kudos to the Kiwanis Club.
Learn more about the HDC and historic preservation in Ann Arbor at https://www.a2gov.org/departments/planning/historic-preservation/Pages/default.aspx.
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