Grosse Pointe War Memorial facts for kids
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Russell A. Alger Jr. House
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| Location | 32 Lake Shore Drive Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan |
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| Built | 1910 |
| Architect | Charles Adam Platt |
| Architectural style | Italian Renaissance Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 82002917 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | July 8, 1982 |
The War Memorial, also known as the Russell A. Alger Jr. House, is a special building in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. It is also called the Moorings. This place was created to honor the brave soldiers and veterans of World War II. Today, it is a busy community center for the Grosse Pointe area. You can find it at 32 Lake Shore Drive.
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History of the War Memorial
Russell A. Alger Senior was an important person from Michigan. He was a general during the American Civil War and worked with lumber. He also served as the Governor of Michigan, a United States Senator, and the United States Secretary of War for President William McKinley.
His oldest son, Russell A. Alger Jr., was born in 1873. Russell Jr. managed his father's large estate. He also helped start the Packard Motor Car Company in 1903. Later, in 1909, he was an early investor in the Wright Company, which made airplanes.
Building the Alger House
In 1896, Russell Alger Jr. married Marion Jarvis. In 1910, the couple hired Charles Adam Platt to design their new home. The Algers and their three children moved into the house that same year. Russell Alger Jr. lived there until he passed away in 1930.
A few years later, Marion Alger moved out. In 1936, the house was given to the Detroit Institute of Arts. However, in 1948, the house was returned to the Alger family. Then, in 1949, the Alger family donated the house to the Grosse Pointe War Memorial Association.
The War Memorial Today
The Alger House is the original building. It is now recognized as a Michigan State Historic Site. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important historical place.
Over the years, new parts have been added to the building. In 1962, the Fries Auditorium and Crystal Ballroom were built. Later, in 1993, the Center for Arts and Communications was added.
Today, the War Memorial is a community hub for the Grosse Pointe Communities. It hosts many different events and programs. These include concerts, holiday parties, and even driver's education classes. You can also find obedience school for dogs and social dances for middle schoolers here. The War Memorial also broadcasts WMTV 5, which is Grosse Pointe's local TV station. People can also rent rooms for special events or parties.
About the Alger House
The Russell A. Alger Jr. House is a beautiful mansion built in the Italian Renaissance Revival style. It sits on a high spot along the shore of Lake St. Clair. Many of the rooms are designed to offer great views of the lake.
The house looks the same on both sides and has a rectangular shape with a sloped roof. It is covered in stucco. The side facing the street has two stories, while the side facing the lake has three stories. The front entrance has a special stone design and a small balcony above it. The window on the second floor above the balcony is very detailed.
Inside the Mansion
When you enter, you step into a foyer made of marble. A grand stone staircase leads up to the second floor. Inside, there's a reception hall with a special wood floor pattern. It also has concrete ceiling beams that look like wood and a large stone fireplace.
On the main floor, you'll find a library and a formal dining room. Both of these rooms have French doors that open to views of the lake. The upper level has a master suite that was built for the Algers. It includes two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a sitting room connecting them. There are also four more bedrooms: one for each of the Alger's three children, and a guest bedroom.
The lower level of the house has a den, a billiard room, and a large plant room. Doors from this level lead out to a terrace that faces the lake.
The house and its surrounding gardens are still in their original condition. An auditorium, designed to match the house, was added in 1962. An art wing was added on the street side in 1977, and another wing was added in 1993.
See also
In Spanish: Monumento conmemorativo a la guerra (Grosse Pointe) para niños
