Old Wing Mission facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Old Wing Mission
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 5298 147th Ave., Holland, Michigan |
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| Area | 2.3 acres (0.93 ha) |
| Built | 1844 |
| Built by | Isaac Fairbanks, et al. |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 86001551 |
| Added to NRHP | August 13, 1986 |
The Old Wing Mission (also called Old Wing Inn) is a very old and important building in Holland, Michigan. You can find it at 5298 147th Avenue. It is the oldest house still standing in that area. This historic building has a long story, starting as a mission and later becoming a family home and even a bed and breakfast.
Contents
History of the Old Wing Mission
How the Mission Started
In 1839, a minister named Reverend George Smith came from Vermont. He started a Christian mission here for the local Ottawa people. The Presbyterian Church of Michigan helped pay for this mission. Reverend Smith first built a simple log cabin for his family. Then, in 1844, a local settler named Isaac Fairbanks started building the house you see today for Reverend Smith. Smith's family moved into their new home in 1846.
Moving the Mission
In 1848, a serious illness called smallpox spread across Michigan. It affected many people, including the community around the mission. Because many new settlers were also moving into the area, Chief Peter Waukazoo and Reverend George Smith made a big decision. They decided to move the Ottawa community and the mission from Holland. They traveled by boats and canoes all the way to Northport, Michigan, which is on the Leelanau Peninsula.
New Owners and Changes
After the mission moved, Reverend Smith left the house. A few years later, Isaac Fairbanks, who helped build the house, bought it. Isaac eventually moved into a brick house nearby. In 1886, Isaac's oldest son, Albert Fairbanks, moved into the Old Wing Mission house. Albert added a new section, or "wing," to the house. He added another wing around 1914. Albert lived there until he passed away in 1914. His son, Austin, then lived in the house until 1950.
The house was later sold to Andrew Vinstra, who updated the inside. For a while, the house was used as a bed and breakfast called the Old Wing Inn. In 1986, the Old Wing Mission building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as an important historical site. The house was purchased by Robert and Carole Pavloski in 2003.
What the Old Wing Mission Looks Like
The Old Wing Mission is a 1-1/2 story building. It is built in the Greek Revival style, which was popular a long time ago. This style often includes features like columns and a grand entrance, similar to ancient Greek temples. The main part of the house is rectangular, measuring about 24 feet by 30 feet. It has wooden siding called clapboards. There are also single-story additions on three sides of the house.
Inside the original house, there was a living room, a bedroom, and a kitchen on the first floor. Upstairs, there were three more bedrooms. When the first addition was built around 1886, the old kitchen became a dining room. The new addition held a new kitchen, a living room, and another bedroom. A later addition in 1903 created space for an office and a utility room. It also made the dining room bigger. In 1953, the 1886 addition was changed into a separate apartment.
