Category Archives: Architecture

First Medical Building

Source: Wineberg 2004: 34.

The University of Michigan’s first medical building. Source: Wineberg 2004: 34.

Established in 1850, the University of Michigan Medical School was the first in the United States to own and operate its own hospital (medicine.umich.edu). The Greek temple style building the school used was made of sandstone and also had Egyptian Revival columns capitals. It displayed high Greek architectural influence and was one of the finest buildings on campus when it was built in 1850 (Wineberg 2004: 34). Unfortunately the magnificent landmark was damaged by fire in 1911 and demolished three years later (Wineberg ibid.). Today Randall Laboratory is located at the site.

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Danforth House

Source: Shackman 2001.

Danforth House. Source: Cooney 2010: 5.

Built in 1850 by George Danforth, when the Greek Revival style was at a high, this temple-front home features bold cornices, shuttered six-over-six windows, and a side entrance with Doric columns. It was considered by the Washtenaw County Historical Society in 1968 to be made into a museum but it was demolished in 1971 after it partially collapsed (Wineberg 2004: 92). Since then the site has been a parking lot.

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Methodist Episcopal Parsonage

Source: aadl.org

Former Methodist Episcopal parsonage. Source: aadl.org

Renovated in 1980, this extremely well preserved Greek Revival was a parsonage from 1857 to 1881 (aadl.org) The home was specifically constructed for Reverend Seth Reed, a prominent reverend in Michigan and the previous building was converted to what it looks like today in 1858 (aadl.org). Its classical influence is clearly represented in the front-facing temple style with its broken pediment. Other Greek Revival elements include the triangular attic window, fully decorated entablature, typical entry with sidelights and transom, and shuttered windows. Additionally, the transition of Greek Revival style to the more picturesque Italianate and Gothic can be seen in the unusual scalloped trim in on the gables and returns (Wineberg 2014: 143).

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215-217 North Ashley

East side

215-217 North Ashley, east side. Source: Google Maps Street View 2016.

The home’s structural form is similar to the Greek Revival style upright and wing, which consists of a two story upright and a one-and-a-half story wing. Its other Greek elements include gable returns and shuttered windows.

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115 Chapin

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118 East Kingsley

This home shares resemblance to Greek Revival homes with its gable returns, shuttered windows, and front entrance’s sidelights. Additionally the porch (its columns and entablature-like details) and the detailing above the front door may have taken influence from Greek Revival architecture, but are quite different in their design.

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428 Second Street

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802 Oakland

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Sigma Phi

sigma-phi-copy

Source: Wineberg 2004: 107

Sigma Phi was founded in 1858 and is one of the oldest fraternities in Michigan as well as in the nation (established in 1827). Demolished in 1931 to make room for parking for St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, this colonial revival home was exceptionally well designed with its dignified columns, flowing lines and, simple ornamentation (Wineberg 2004). The home was colonial in form, but featured a pedimented front portico of the Ionic order, a Doric columned side portico that supported a second story veranda, and shuttered nine-over-nine windows (six-over-six windows however are considered Greek Revival style).

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