Hance House (Olivet, Michigan) facts for kids
The Hance House is a special old home found at 217 Yale Street in Olivet, Michigan. It's so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. This means it's a building worth protecting because of its history.
Quick facts for kids |
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Hance House
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 217 Yale St., Olivet, Michigan |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1884 |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000609 |
| Added to NRHP | August 21, 1972 |
Contents
The Story of the Hance House
Who Built the House?
The Hance House was built by a man named Myram H. Hance. He moved to Michigan from New York state in 1843. Myram Hance was a businessman. He also served in the American Civil War.
In 1884, Myram Hance moved to Olivet. People believe he moved there so his children could go to Olivet College. Once in Olivet, he started a business making boots and shoes. He built this house for his family that same year.
What Happened to the House Over Time?
In 1934, Olivet College bought the Hance House. The college used the house for many different things over the years.
- It was a home for the college president.
- It was used by student groups called fraternities.
- It was a dormitory, which is like a living space for students.
- It was a home for teachers.
- It even held the art department and art studios.
By 1971, the house was empty. It stayed empty for many years, even into the 1980s. But eventually, Olivet College fixed up the house. Today, it is once again used as the president's home.
What Does the Hance House Look Like?
The Hance House is a two-story building. It is made of brick and sits on a strong stone foundation. The windows and doors have stone pieces above them, called lintels.
The roof is not very steep. It is held up by decorative wooden supports called brackets. The main front door is a double door. It is covered by a porch, which is a covered entrance area. There is also another entrance on the side of the house. This side entrance has a similar porch. Both porches have smaller brackets that look like the ones on the roof.
