Michigan Governor's Summer Residence facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Lawrence Andrew Young Cottage
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Michigan Governor's summer residence on Mackinac Island
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | Jct. of Fort Hill and Huron Rd., Mackinac Island, Michigan |
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| Area | 1.6 acres (0.65 ha) |
| Built | 1901 |
| Built by | Patrick Doud |
| Architect | Frederick W. Perkins |
| Architectural style | Arts and Crafts |
| NRHP reference No. | 97000800 |
| Added to NRHP | November 17, 1997 |
The Michigan Governor's Summer Residence, also known as the Lawrence A. Young Cottage, is a special house on Mackinac Island, Michigan. It sits where Fort Hill and Huron roads meet. This historic home was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. It's a place where Michigan's governors can relax during the summer.
Contents
History of the Governor's Summer Home
How the Cottage Began
Back in 1895, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission decided to rent out spots on Mackinac Island for people to build cottages. There was one main rule: anyone who rented a spot had to build a house worth at least $3000 within a year. That was a lot of money back then!
In 1901, a lawyer from Chicago named Lawrence Andrew Young rented one of these spots. He hired a talented architect, Frederick W. Perkins, to design his new house. Patrick Doud was the builder who made the plans come to life.
Becoming the Governor's Residence
Later, a family from Detroit, the Hugo Scherers, owned the house. But in 1944, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission bought the home for $15,000. This was the same amount it cost to build it originally.
Since then, the Commission has taken care of the house and its beautiful gardens. The cottage has become the official summer home for Michigan's governors. Many important people have stayed there overnight. This includes former U.S. presidents like Harry S. Truman, Gerald R. Ford, and George H. W. Bush.
Recent Updates and Care
The house has been updated and repaired several times over the years. During John Engler's second term as governor, the residence got a big refresh. More recently, renovations were done in 2011 and 2012 to keep the historic home in great shape.
About the Governor's Summer Residence
Outside the Cottage
The governor's summer home has three stories and is shaped like the letter "L". It's built in the Arts and Crafts style, which focuses on natural materials and handmade details. The house sits on a hill, offering amazing views of the Straits of Mackinac.
The house has a strong stone foundation. Its third floor is built right into the roof, which is covered with wood shingles. Both the walls and the roof are finished with these wood shingles. The chimneys and the lower walls are made from large, rough limestone rocks.
Inside the Governor's House
When you step inside, the main floor is quite spacious. It has a large dining room and a living room. There's also a sunny room, a separate dining room for staff, a kitchen, and pantries for food and dishes. The living room has a staircase that wraps around a cozy fireplace.
Up on the second floor, you'll find five bedrooms and four bathrooms. There's even a playroom, which sounds like fun! The third floor used to have bedrooms and a bathroom for staff. Now, it has been changed to include two more bedrooms and another bathroom. The house also has a full basement. In total, the home is about 7100 square feet, which is a lot of space!
The inside of the house features beautiful U.S. Southern yellow pine wood. Many of the original items are still there, like the Young family's crystal dishes. These are kept in a special glass cupboard in the dining room. There's also a tall clock in the living room that has been there for a long time.
See also
