Ladies of the Maccabees Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Ladies of the Maccabees Building
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 901 Huron Ave., Port Huron, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1906 |
| Architect | George H. Harvey |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 82004469 |
| Added to NRHP | April 22, 1982 |
The Ladies of the Maccabees Building is a special old building in Port Huron, Michigan. It used to be the main office for a group called the Ladies of the Maccabees. This building is so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. That means it's a historic place worth protecting!
Contents
Discover the Building's Past
This building, located at 901 Huron Avenue, has a rich history. It was once the home of a large and important group. Let's explore how this building came to be and what it was used for over the years.
How the Maccabees Began
The story of the building starts with a group called the Knights of the Maccabees. This was a type of social club or "fraternal organization." They first formed in 1878. Later, in 1881, they reorganized and became the Knights of the Modern Maccabees.
The Ladies Form Their Own Group
In 1886, the Ladies of the Modern Maccabees were created. They started as a helper group for the men's organization. Over the next ten years, the Ladies' group grew very quickly. By 1902, they became independent from the men's group.
Building Their Own Headquarters
Because the Ladies' group was so big, they needed their own main office. In 1906, they hired an architect named George H. Harvey. He designed this beautiful building to be their new headquarters. By 1912, the Ladies of the Maccabees had over 51,000 members!
New Uses for the Building
In 1926, the Ladies of the Maccabees joined back with the men's group. The combined organization was simply called the Maccabees. Two years later, in 1928, they moved their main office. They went to a new building in Detroit.
After they moved, the Port Huron building was sold. The local Board of Education bought it. From then until 1957, it was used as the Port Huron Junior College. After that, it became offices for the Board of Education. In 1981, a group of lawyers bought the building for their offices.
What the Building Looks Like
The Ladies of the Maccabees Building is a great example of Classical Revival style. This means it looks like ancient Greek and Roman buildings. It has a square shape and a low, round dome on top.
Outside the Building
The bottom part of the building looks rough, like old stone. The walls above are smooth and made of light-colored limestone. A decorative border goes around the top of the building. Each side of the building looks the same. The front has a special entrance area that sticks out a little. This area has four tall, fancy columns. They protect the double doors at the main entrance. All the windows are large and have detailed frames around them.
Inside the Building
When you step inside, you see a grand staircase in the middle. It goes up three floors, all the way to the dome. The floor in the lobby area is made of decorative tiles. The walls are also decorated with columns, just like the ones outside. The wood trim throughout the building is made of oak.
