Scripps Mansion facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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William Edmund and Nina A. Downey Scripps Estate
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The mansion in 2008
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 Location in Michigan
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| Location | 1840 W. Scripps Rd Lake Orion, Michigan |
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| Built | 1927 |
| Architect | Clarence E. Day |
| Architectural style | Norman/Tudor Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 07001009 |
| Added to NRHP | 27 September 2007 |
The Scripps Mansion is a large, old house in Orion Township, Michigan. It was first called Moulton Manor. This mansion and the land around it are known as the William E. Scripps Estate. It is built in a special style called Tudor.
Since 1956, the property has been part of Guest House. This is a place where Catholic priests can get help. The estate was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. This means it is recognized as an important historical site.
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History of the Scripps Estate
The Scripps Mansion was built in 1927. It was made for William Edmund Scripps and his family. William Scripps started the WWJ radio station. His father started Detroit News newspaper.
William Scripps first bought the land to have a farm as a hobby. Later, he decided to live there. The mansion is not open to the public right now because it is being repaired. But in the past, people could take tours and see its beautiful inside and gardens.
The Scripps Farm
Scripps bought about 3,000 acres (12 km2) of farmland in 1916. At its biggest, the farm had many different animals. These included angus cattle, cows, pigs, sheep, and poultry (like chickens).
During the Great Depression, which was a time when many people had no jobs, the farm workers and house servants all lived on the property. A small one-room schoolhouse was built in 1925 for the children of the farm employees. In 1952, this schoolhouse became an Episcopalian church.
Amelia Earhart's Visit
In 1929, the famous pilot Amelia Earhart visited the property. William Scripps asked her to fly an experimental glider there. A glider is a type of plane that flies without an engine.
Scripps was also a pilot. He became very interested in gliders. In 1929, he even started his own company called Gliders, Inc. He began by making a simple type of glider.
The Scripps Estate Today
William Scripps passed away in 1952. After that, much of the farm was sold. Many of the European paintings from the estate were given to the Detroit Institute of Arts in 1956.
Today, the farmland and lakes are mostly parks. These parks are for Orion Township, Oakland County, and the state of Michigan. Examples include Civic Center Park, Orion Oaks, and Bald Mountain Recreation Area. Some of the old farm buildings were turned into the Canterbury Village shopping center.
The airstrip where Amelia Earhart flew her glider is still used today. It is now an area for radio controlled airplanes and is part of Bald Mountain Recreation Area.
