Historic House Museums in Michigan

We try to keep this list of historic house museums for Michigan current, but it is best to check directly with the museums for their hours and other information. If you know of a historic house museum in Michigan that should be listed here, please use our submission form to let us know about it.

Concord

Mann House

The 1883 house depicts family life in the Midwest during the Victorian period. The house contains family heirlooms.

Open Thu-Sun 1-4:30, Apr-Dec • 205 Hanover St. • (517) 524-8943

Dearborn

Dearborn Historical Museum

The museum consists of three buildings including the McFadden-Ross House that dates from the early 1800s. It is furnished in period. The Exhibit Annex has craft shops, wagons and buggies.

Open Mon-Sat 9-5, May-Oct; Mon-Sat 1-5 rest of the year • 21950 Michigan Ave. • (313) 565-3000

Fairlane

The Henry Ford Estate - Fair Lane, a National Historic Landmark, is the former home of automaker Henry Ford and his wife Clara. Construction on their private retreat was started in 1914 and the Fords lived their until their deaths in 1947 and 1950.

Open Tue-Fri 1:30, Sun 1-4:30 Jan-Mar; Tue-Sat 10-3, Sun 1-4:30 Apr-Dec • on the campus of the University of Michigan-Dearborn • (313) 593-5590

Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village

Spread over 81 acres are some 80 historic homes, workplaces, and community buildings moved to the site from all over the U.S.

Open daily 9-5, Greenfield Village interiors closed Jan 2-mid Mar. • Village Rd. & Oakwood Blvd. • (313) 271-1620

Detroit

Motown Historical Museum

This old brick home is where Berry Gordy, Jr. Developed the "Motown" sound with artists such as Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson and Diana Ross.

Open Tue-Sat 10-6 • 2648 W. Grand Blvd. • (313) 875-5564

Escanaba

Sand Point Lighthouse

Sandpoint Lighthouse is open to the public and it includes the keeper's house which is furnished in period.

Open daily 1-9, Jun 1-Labor Day • Ludington Park • (906) 786-3763

Fayette

Historic Fayette Townsite

This preserved ghost town was founded in 1866 by Jackson Iron Co manager Fayette Brown. The town thrived while there was iron to smelt, but it was abandoned in 1891.

Open daily 9-7 Jun 1- Labor Day; daily 9-5 Labor Day-Oct 15 • on SR 183 in Fayette State Park • (906) 644-2603

Flint

Historic Crossroads Village and Huckleberry Railroad

The restored Genesee County community of 1860 to 1880 includes several residences and a number of craft shops.

Open Mon-Fri 10-5:30, Sat-Sun 11-6:30, mid May-Labor Day; Sat-Sun 3:30-9:30 weekend after Labor Day-mid Oct, and late Nov-late Dec • G-6140 Bray Rd. • (800) 648-7275 or (810) 736-7100

Whaley Historical House

Whaley House was the residence of the Robert J. and Mary McFarlan Whaley from 1885 to 1925. During Mr. Whaley's presidency of Citizens Bank, he issued a $2,000 loan to the Flint Road Cart Company. This loan led to the creation of General Motors in Flint in 1908. Whaley House mission is to educate visitors about the legacy of the Whaley family, life in 19th century Flint, and historic preservation.

1st & 3rd Sun, or by appt. • 634 E. Kearsley Street • 810-235-6841

Hastings

Charlton Park Village and Museum

The complex has 16 buildings in its recreated village, some original and others reconstructions. They are furnished in period.

Open daily 9-5 Memorial Day-Sep 22 • 2 miles south on SR 37, then 4 miles east on SR 79 • (269) 945-3775

Jackson

Ella Sharp Museum of Art & History

Visitors are invited to tour Ella Sharp's 19th-century Hillside Farmhouse, the Dibble One-Room Schoolhouse, Eli Stilson's Log House and the Merriman-Sharp Tower Barn. Other exhibits down Farm Lane include a woodworking shop, doctor's office, general store and print shop. And the farm's original granary is now Ella's Granary Restaurant.

See their web site for hours • 3225 Fourth Street • (517) 787-2320

Jenison

The Tiffany House

Take a journey back in time to the turn of the century. Explore the house built in 1902 for Margaret Husband, a bookkeeper for the Jenison twins, Lucius and Luman. Furnished with items owned by Margaret Husband. Displays include medical instruments, a working 5'cash register from the L&L Store and a Morning Glory Talking Machine.

See their web site for hours • 28 Port Sheldon • (616) 457-4398

Mackinac Island

Fort Mackinac

The restored 18th and 19th century military outpost has 14 buildings are original. Costumed guides offer reenactments. The Biddle House contains original 19th century furnishings, and the McGulpin House is a fine example of French-Canadian architecture.

Open 11-5 Jun 15-Labor Day • above the harbor • (906) 847-3328

Mackinaw City

Colonial Michilimackinac

Built by the French in 1715, it was occupied by British forces from 1761 to 1781. Among the many buildings are a priest's home and a traders house. Both are furnished in period. Costumed reenactments add to the atmosphere.

See web site for hours • Exits 337-339 at southern end of the Mackinac Bridge. Follow signs to enter. • May-Sep: (906) 847-3328 Oct-Apr: (231) 436-4100

Marshall

Honolulu House

Built in 1860 by a chief justice of the Michigan Supreme Court who later became U.S. Consul to Hawaii. The house is thought to be a duplicate of his Hawaiian home.

Open daily 12-5 May-Sep; Thu-Sun 12-5 Oct • off Fountain Circle • (269) 781-8544

Niles

Ft. St. Joseph Historical Museum

The 1882 Chapin home houses a museum with exhibits on Sioux and Potawatomi Indian relics and other local artifacts.

Open Wed-Sat 10-4 • 5th & Main Sts. • (269) 683-4702

Port Austin

Huron City Museums

The museum complex has several restored buildings including the House of Seven Gables, the 1882 Victorian mansion of William Lyon and Annabel Hubbard Phelps.

See their web site for hours • On SR 25 • (989) 428-4123 or (866) 284-2843

Port Sanilac

Sanilac Historic Museum

The 1872 Loop-Harrison House, a restored Victorian home, contains most of its original furnishings. Also on display are medical instruments; antique glassware; marine, military and Indian artifacts. Also on the grounds is the late 19th century Banner Cabin, which is furnished in period.

Open Tue-Fri 11-4:30, Sat-Sun 12-4:30 mid June to Labor Day • 228 S. Ridge Rd. • (810) 622-9946

Rochester

Meadow Brook Hall

Built in 1926, this 100 room Tudor mansion was the former home of Alfred and Matilda (Dodge) Wilson. Of special interest are the ballroom, antique needlepoint draperies, 24 fireplaces, hand carved paneling in the library and great hall, sculptured ceiling in the dining room, pipe organ and stone entranceway.

See their web site for hours • 480 S. Adams Rd. on the Oakland University campus • (248) 364-6200

Rockland

Old Victoria

Four houses in this restored late 19th century company mining town are open.

Open daily 9-6 Memorial Day-Oct 15 • 4 miles west on a paved road at Victoria Dam • (906) 886-2617

Rogers City

Presque Isle County Historical Museum

Located in the restored Bradley House, the museum has displays of Victorian and 1920s furnishings.

Open Mon-Sat 12-4, Jun-Oct • 176 Michigan Ave • (989)734-4121

Waterloo

Waterloo Area Farm Museum

The museum consists of several restored buildings, including a Victorian farmhouse, barn, granary, workshop, icehouse, milk cellar, windmill and log house. Displays of tools, clothing, furnishings and decorations depict 19th century farm life.

See web site for hours • 2 miles west on Waterloo-Munith Rd. • (517) 596-2254