Kempf House Museum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Henry Bennett House
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| Location | 312 S. Division St., Ann Arbor, Michigan |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1853 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000959 |
| Added to NRHP | March 1, 1973 |
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The Kempf House Museum is a special place in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It's also known as the Henry Bennett House or the Reuben Kempf House. This building, found at 312 South Division Street, started as a family home in 1853. Today, it's a museum. In 1973, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important building worth preserving.
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History of the Kempf House
The Kempf House has a long and interesting past. It has been home to important people and a center for music.
Who Was Henry Bennett?
The house was built around 1853 for Henry DeWitt Bennett. He was an important person in Ann Arbor. For most of the 1850s, he worked as the city's postmaster. Later, he became the secretary and steward for the University of Michigan. In 1886, Mr. Bennett retired and moved to California. He sold his house to a neighbor.
The Kempf Family and Music
The neighbor rented out the house for a few years. Then, in 1890, Reuben and Pauline Kempf bought it. The Kempfs were both talented musicians. Their home quickly became a lively spot for music in Ann Arbor.
Many famous musicians visited and performed at their home. These included well-known figures like Ignacy Jan Paderewski, Victor Herbert, and Ernestine Schumann-Heink. The Kempfs lived in the house for many years. Reuben passed away in 1945, and Pauline in 1953. After their deaths, Mr. and Mrs. Earl V. Parker bought the house in 1953.
Becoming a Museum
In 1969, Earl Parker died. The city of Ann Arbor then bought the house. The city decided to turn the historic house into a museum. The house has been carefully restored to look like it did in the past. It even has a music studio set up just as it was when the Kempfs gave lessons there. You can visit the house for tours each week.
What Does the House Look Like?
The Bennett House is a beautiful example of Greek Revival architecture. This style was popular in the 1800s.
Outside the House
The house is a 1-1/2 story building. It sits on a strong brick foundation. The front of the house is very grand. It has four large, square Doric columns. These columns support a decorative area called a tympaneum. There are also three windows in the frieze, which is the flat part above the columns. The main part of the house is about 54 feet long and 23 feet wide.
Inside the House
A small, two-room addition was built at the back of the house in the 1890s. This addition holds the kitchen. Today, the first floor of the house has six rooms and one bathroom. The second floor has three bedrooms and one and a half bathrooms.
