Whaley Historical House by sarrazak6881

The central portion of this handsome Victorian home was built in the late 1850s. Several prominent Flint families lived in it before Robert J. Whaley purchased it in 1884. Whaley a local lumberman and banker, remodeled the house extensively. Three bays, the library alcove and a west-end addition were among the exterior changes. The interior was enhanced by adding ornate woodwork and colorful tiled fireplaces. In 1925, Whaley's wife endowed the house, making it a home for elderly women. In 1975 it became the Whaley Historical House Museum.

On their history page you can learn about the Whaley family including patriarch Robert Jeremiah Whaley (1840 - 1922):

R. J. Whaley served as Citizens Bank's president for over forty years. His 1886 loan to the Flint Road Cart Company eventually led to the creation of General Motors in 1908. William C. Durant's bank book which records the loan is currently exhibited at WHHM courtesy of Citizens Bank.

There's some cool old portraits there and even information about the family pets. The photo is part of Sarah's Whaley Historical House Museum set and also her Downtown Flint Houses. She has helpfully placed it on Flickr's photo map!

Wing House by KatheD

This impressive Second Empire style home with mansard roof sheathed in tin was constructed in 1875 for Jay Chandler (1850-1884) and his young bride Frances. This home has an open, two-bay porch along the front . The brick walls are covered with clapboard siding and a triple-bay porch with a balustrade of turned spindles and finials. The interior of the house features mahogany paneling, carved mantlepieces and period furnishings. The Michigan Historical Marker reads:

Lucius M.Wing (1839-1921), Civil War captain, county sheriff, and prominent businessman, purchased this residence in 1882. That same year he served a term as mayor. Making notable contributions to the industrial, financial and social life if the city, he was the long time president of the local bank, a manufacturer of cigars and the founder of the Bon Ami Social club. The house remained in the family for three generations until acquired by the Branch County Historical Society in 1974 for use as a historical museum.

The Wing House Museum is located at 27 South Jefferson in Coldwater. There is no official web site but you can get directions and other details from the Michigan Historical Markers web site or call them at 517-278-2871.

More Michigan Historic Homes on Absolute Michigan.

VOIGT HOUSE by GR58

The Voigt House is an elegant and perfectly preserved Victorian mansion was built for Carl G. A. Voigt in 1895. Voigt came to Grand Rapids in 1870 and ran a mill and dry goods store with W. G. Herpolsheimer. In 1902, when the partnership ended, Voigt took over the milling works.

The house was designed by eminent local architect William G. Robinson, was inspired by the chateaux at Chenonceaux, France. The design is pure Victorian, with a warren of rooms, each with its own function and purpose. The interior is furnished opulently with original possessions of the Voigt Family. Features include the cove ceiling with stenciling, some of which had been designed by the youngest Voight daughters.

In 1972, a year after the death of the last occupant, Ralph Voigt, the house became a public museum.

Explore more Michigan Historic Homes on Absolute Michigan.

Homes along East Ferry Avenue - Detroit MI by pinehurst19475

For the month of March, Absolute Michigan will be featuring Homes with stories about historic Michigan houses, home & home design blogs, green building and other new trends in construction and redevelopment, and some of the great neighborhoods across the state for buying and renting. We'll also take a look at Michigan's real estate market and seek some answers for home buyers and sellers in how to get through this difficult time. Where we can, we'll feature some Michigan businesses who can help you make your home better through home improvements and enhancing your decor and furnishings.

As always, we recognize that there's so much to know and talk about and we really hope you'll help us with comments and emailed tips for stories!

Regarding the photo, pinehurst19475 says that the East Ferry Historic District began as an exclusive residential area in the late 1880s, after serving as an experimental seed farm for the Ferry Seed Company. Building continued through the 1920s, and today the area is a mix of well maintained structures used for residential, commercial and institutional purposes. The district is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It's part of a great Residential Detroit set of photos.

well red by suesue2

For the whole month of March, we'll be featuring Homes on Absolute Michigan with features about historic Michigan homes, green building and other new trends in construction and some great neighborhoods across the state. Because you can't tune in any media without hearing how terrible the housing market is, we'll also talk to some people about the whys, wherefores and how that can be overcome.

Our Homes & Real Estate section can probably give you some other hints about topics we'll feature including home improvement and interior decorating. However, if you're hot to get in the garden, you'll have to wait for April when we feature gardening & Michigan flora!

Have ideas for topics? All you have to do is post a comment or send an email!

Sneeky Butterfly by curlyson

March 1 - April 30, 2008
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids
Foremost's Butterflies are Blooming exhibit is the largest seasonal butterfly exhibit in the United States. Over a period of eight weeks, thousands of tropical butterflies flit and flutter in the tropical habitat of The Lena Meijer Conservatory at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. This year you'll be charmed by more than 40 species of butterflies and moths in our tropical conservatory. Dazzling longwings, scarlet swallowtails, brilliant brush-footed butterf lies and the bright green African Moon Moth — a kaleidoscope of talented stars from around the world in one eye-opening experience. You'll have to see it to believe it.

March 15-23, 2008
Easter Egg Hunts, All Over Michigan
Compilation of Easter egg hunts, parades and bonnet competitions across the state

February 28-March 2, 2008
West Michigan Home & Garden Show, Grand Rapids
West Michigan's largest Home & Garden show is back for its 29th season and better than ever! Over a dozen gardens, three free seminar stages, floral arrangement classes and a standard flower show, plus tons of other attractions you can't miss! With over 350 exhibitors featuring every product and service you'll ever need for your home, garden or landscaping, all under one roof, this is the show to attend!

March 1, 2008
Fiddlers Jamboree, East Jordan
Come hear some great music and have lunch, fun for the whole family.

March 1-2, 2008
Detroit Kennel Club Benched Dog Shows, Detroit
The Detroit Kennel Club is preparing for the milestone 100th and 101st dog shows. The DKC is one of just six American Kennel Club benched shows in the United States. A benched show means that the dogs stay on the bench with their owner for the entire day when they are not in the ring. This gives the public the rare opportunity to meet with just about every breed of dog and to be able to talk to and consult with the breeders and discover which breed is right for them.

March 5-8, 2008
Metro Times Blowout 2008, Hamtramck
Metro Times presents the 11th annual BLOWOUT music festival. BLOWOUT showcases over 200 of metro Detroit's most influential, unique and celebrated bands, djs and solo artists. These 200 acts perform at 20 venues over 4 nights creating the largest local music festival in the U.S. Past performers include: Eminem, The White Stripes, The Von Bondies, The Hard Lessons, The Sights, The Go, His Name is Alive, Obie Trice, The Dirtbombs, Detroit Grand Pubahs, Howling Diablos, Paradime, Motor City R&B Pioneers, Blanche, The Detroit Cobras and many more.

March 7-9, 2008
The Michigan Golf Show, Novi
This is the nation's largest golf show with over 400 exhibitors occupying 7 acres. The golf show offers a variety of interactive experiences with indoor hitting range, free pro instruction, longest drive and closest to the Pin contests. Whether just a beginner or an experienced golfer you'll find everything you need here.

March 7-9, 2008
Detroit Autorama, Detroit
"America's Greatest Hot Rod Show", is held at Cobo Center.

March 7-9, 2008
Michigan Home & Garden Show, Detroit
At this years home & garden show the theme is "Tropical Breeze" with more than 150 creative displays, floral arrangements and designs in youth, horticulture and educational entries and exhibits. Stroll along and enjoy the shows beautiful gardens and landscapes, and walk through a 2-story log home which has been built out on the football field. From the show you can catch a bus and go on the Detroit Home tour and visit newly built lofts and condominiums along with renovated mansions.

March 7-9, 2008
Flushing's Annual Walleye Festival, Flushing
This is the 8th annual Walleye Festival, it is a three day event with a fish fry on Friday night, a pancake breakfast Saturday morning followed by a "Snakes, Reptiles and Amphibian Presentation" on Saturday at noon.

March 8, 2008
Snowmobile Poker Run, St Ignace
Participants collect playing cards from businesses along the snowmobile trails. Prizes for best poker hands, Deere Feed Trail Stop, and Mystery Hand prize.

March 9, 2008
Daylight-Savings time begins, All Over
Wikipedia tells us: "The practice can be controversial. Adding daylight to afternoons benefits retailing, sports, and other activities that exploit sunlight after working hours, but causes problems for farming, entertainment and other occupations tied to the sun. Extra afternoon daylight reduces traffic fatalities; its effect on health and crime is less clear. An early goal of DST was to reduce evening usage of incandescent lighting, formerly a primary use of electricity; changes in usage patterns have cast doubt on whether DST now saves energy."

March 9, 2008
28th Annual Great Bear Chase Ski Marathon, Calumet
A laid-back, skier-oriented weekend in Calumet on the beautiful Keewanau Peninsula. You can choose between 26-km and 50km distances including a separate category for 26-km classic skiers. The Junior Bear Chase is a youth Nordic ski race for skiiers up to 16-years-old.

March 13-16, 2008
Lansing Home & Garden Show, East Lansing
The largest Home & Garden show in the Mid-Michigan area, this show fills the MSU Pavillion. There are incredible gardens, and extensive landscaping projects besides the Standard Flower Show. The focus of the show encompasses the full range of home products from landscaping and lawncare to remodeling and new construction. In addition to the hundreds of exhibitors there will be educational seminars presented by building experts, professional interior designers and garden and professional landscapers.

March 13-16, 2008
Ultimate Sport and RV Show, Grand Rapids
The Ultimate Sport and RV Show is one of Michigans favorite shows for the fisherman, hunter, RVer or a family who just loves the outdoors. Over 350 exhibitors will be at the show with the latest in outdoor gear, fishing boats, RV's and travel information. 4 stages will be set up with nearly 100 fishing and hunting seminars. Not to be missed is "Lake Ultimate" the 110,000 gallon indoor lake.

March 14-16, 2008
Carnival Weekend at Boyne, Boyne Falls
Mardi Gras moves north for the weekend to Boyne Mountain. Bands, costume competitions, the slush cup and parties all over the resort will make this a memorable weekend.

March 14-16, 2008
Krazy Daze at Boyne, Harbor Springs
Kid's events include a silly slalom, costume judging, Nastar and more. Is it true they build a pond and let people ski and snowboard across? You bet it's true. So dress up or dress down, just make sure to be part of the fun. The party in The Zoo Bar on Saturday will be fun for the adults!

March 15-16 2008
Kalamazoo Living History Show, Kalamazoo
This years theme is; "Michigan in the Civil War - They Died to Make Men Free". More than 10,000 re-enactors from the French and Indian through the Civil War are expected along with history buffs, collectors and the general public. The Kalamazoo Living History Show is now the largest juried event of its kind in the Midwest devoted to pre-1890 original or reproduction living history supplies and related crafts.

March 16, 2008
St. Patrick's Day Parade, Detroit
Sponsored by the United Irish Societies in metro Detroit, the parade runs along Michigan Avenue in the area known as "Corktown", so called because of the many immigrants that came and settled here from County Cork. The parade travels down a dozen or so blocks passing by historic Tiger Stadium and the Gaelic League/Irish American Club.

March 25-30, 2008
Ann Arbor Film Festival, Ann Arbor
The Ann Arbor Film Festival is the longest-running film festival of its kind in North American and receives over 2,000 submissions each year from more than 30 countries and serves as one of a handful of Academy Award-qualifying festivals in the country. This festival is known internationally as a showcase for creative, inspiring and influential films of all types

March 31, 2008
Detroit Tigers Home Opener, Detroit
First game this season at Comerica is a rare March opener. The Tigers' fearsome new lineup takes to the field against the Kansas City Royals. Check out the Only Way to Get Opening Day Tickets via The Detroit Tigers Weblog.

Did we get them all? Not likely!! Add ones we missed (with links) in the comments below!

The annual Michigan Energy Fair will be held June 22-24, 2007 at the Manistee County Fairgrounds in Onekama. Billed as "one of the most comprehensive expositions of renewable energy generating equipment, home and business energy efficiency techniques, and technical workshops in the state" the Fair features over 100 exhibitors and 60 workshops promoting energy efficiency, biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel, renewable energy technologies like solar and wind power, and techniques for living sustainably.

The Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association is bringing in several noted speakers including Eric Larsen, William Cooke, Jim Nichols, and Dr. Chris Schilling. Workshops will address topics including making gasoline from waste plastics, creating jobs, reducing pollution through renewable energy and energy efficiency, local government or school district green power project, and energizing Michigan's economy.

Michigan send $18 billion dollars to other states in energy costs. With activities for kids, food, music and a wide range of exhibitors, the Michigan Energy Fair is a great place to learn about how we can go about reversing this drain on our state's economy.

Energy Fair Links

The Michigan land Use Institute took a look back at the 2006 Michigan Energy Fair.

The Energy Fair model house pictured above was designed by Image Design, LLC and built by Hybrid Homes LLC and you can see some pictures of the home in process at those sites.

Check Absolute Michigan keyword energy for a gigawatt more related links and articles.

The current version of Introduce Your Michigan Business or Organization is right there.