The image of Detroit is negative. Reports about rising crime rates, abandon buildings, and the corruption within city government; it is easy to see why even many living in the Metro Detroit area have no interest in going inside the city limits.
Nonetheless Detroit communities, such as Palmer Woods, work to combat this negative image. The Palmer Woods Home Tour Soiree brings people together. People from all over come into Detroit and see that the media’s depiction of Detroit is not accurate,” says Barbara Barefield, one of the organizers for the Palmer Woods Home Tour Soiree.
Nothing is spared for attendees of the Palmer Woods Home Tour Soiree. Free parking is offered in the Detroit Police Station on West Seven Mile Road, tour buses then take guests to each destination.
Guests start the Soiree with check-in at Party Central, held at one of the newest homes in Palmer Woods, where most homes were designed in the 1920s and 1930s. This home, built in 1995, had been vacant for many years. The new owner completely renovated the home upon purchase. An unusual modern design for this historic neighborhood, the contemporary charm and open rooms of this home were conducive to the large party.
Upon arrival, guests are instantly dazzled by exquisite decorations outside and inside the home. The home’s large entrance way, open living room, circular floor plan and built-in bar, invoke a feeling of amazement and comfort.
Each attendee is armed with extensive booklet, which includes the history of the community, up-coming events, and an informational guide to the tour. Following the order of the tour, each home included has its own page describing the original homeowners, architectural features, and the residences’ history. As soon as the buses are ready, attendees embark on the tour by their own accord.
The tour starts with Dr. Kellie McFarlin’s beautiful 1926 French Chateau-Style home. McFarlin’s home has four docents starting with Jacquelyn Cutright from Elegance by Design. Cutright opened the tour by explaining why her decision to include some furnishings and accessories with an Art Deco flavor fit perfectly with the home’s history and original style.
McFarlin feels that by preserving the original parts of her home, including the floors, plaster, walls, moldings and fixtures, builders today can appreciate the lasting work of the past and hopefully recreate it. “I never thought about why preserving history would not be important,” McFarlin adds.
After being dazzled by the preservation and careful care of McFarlin’s home, guests are swept away to Lewis C. Miller’s expression of the Tudor Revival. This English Cottage style residence, built in 1928, perfectly blends the homeowners’ style with that of Miller’s expression.
The interior residence reflects the home’s history with an overall style of antique fixtures and furniture complemented by contemporary art as the finishing finesse. The family showcases art pieces rescued from the Heidelberg Project, their children, and African pieces bought form the local boutique Djenne Beads and Art.
The historical importance of Palmer Woods extends beyond exquisite architecture, and the Wilson residence attests to this fact. Originally owned by famed lawyer Walter Nelson, this home was built only after a long-standing legal case with the Michigan Supreme court over the blueprints. Nelson, along with his architects Fuller Claflin and Leonard N. Willeke, fought to create a unique Arts and Crafts home that did not have a full second story.
Aaron Wilson explained that the historical importance of his home stemmed not only from the unusual path to construction, but also the immense importance of Nelson within U.S. civil rights law. Wilson credits Nelson as a major influence in civil rights laws. Around the world, through his work with attorney Clarence Darrow on the famous Dr. Ossian Sweet case. When Sweet and his family integrated an eastside Detroit home, they were confronted with vicious mobs; Sweet and several others in his home were accused of murder, but were later acquitted.
The home, built in 1919, is now considered the best example Arts and Crafts movement in Palmer Woods by the National Registry of Historical Places. This is a treat, considering the legal obstacles during construction.
The tour’s sweet ending showcases a lovely 1929 Georgian Colonial style home.
This home is spared none of the distinguishing characteristics of a Georgian Colonial, including keystone archways to each room, original flooring, and beautiful open windows.
Guests are welcomed by wonderful decorations and beautiful home additions from the homeowners’ trips around the world. Some of the attractions include a fireplace screen from Australia, and painting replicas from the Louvre. Further, the homeowners’ love of Polynesian dance is revealed in the basement, where history, culture, and style are brilliantly mixed together.
As guests reconvene back at Party Central they are welcomed with Westborn Market wine, refreshments, warm conversation and beautiful Jazz music performed by Detroit-based artists, including guitarist A. Spencer Barefield who is a world-famous musician who lives in Palmer Woods. Each volunteer insures everyone has a wonderful time, and is eager to make the experience even better. Many of the volunteers are members of the Palmer Woods community, and with the love and passion exuded from them it is clear to see what a caring community dwells in Detroit.
Barefield ends the night commenting on how these events bring the community together and showcases a different Detroit. The Home Tour Soiree helps raise money for neighborhood improvements and maintenance. Furthermore, The Home Tour Soiree makes donations to various local non-profits to help those in greater need.”
For any Detroiter, events like the Palmer Woods Home Tour Soiree are important. It creates a sense of roots, pride, and proves to everyone that Detroit has much to showcase.
Palmer Woods continues to share its homes and outstanding architecture throughout the year at its Palmer Woods Music in Homes concerts. Detroit-based jazz, classical and world music artists with international-acclaim perform on the series each month, beginning December 29 through June 22. More information and tickets are available on www.palmerwoods.org
Author: Klaire Balmas – Reporter/Historian, representing GreeningDetroit.com