Sibley House (Detroit) facts for kids
Sibley House
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Location | 976 East Jefferson Avenue Detroit, Michigan |
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Built | 1848 |
NRHP reference No. | 71000432 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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Added to NRHP | April 16, 1971 |
The Sibley House is a historic home located at 976 East Jefferson Avenue in Detroit, Michigan. Today, it serves as the Rectory for Christ Church Detroit, which is a church located next door. This house was recognized as a Michigan State Historic Site in 1958. Later, in 1971, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which is a list of important historical places in the United States.
Contents
The Story of Sibley House
The story of the Sibley House begins with Solomon Sibley, a very important person in early Detroit. He moved to Detroit in the late 1790s, when it was still a small village. Solomon Sibley was one of the first lawyers in the area. He held many important jobs in government.
For example, in 1799, he started working in the local government for the Michigan Territory. In 1806, he became the mayor of Detroit. From 1815 to 1824, he was the US District Attorney for Michigan, which meant he was the main lawyer for the government in the area. He also represented Michigan in the United States Congress from 1820 to 1823. Later, from 1824 to 1827, he served as a judge on the highest court in the Michigan Territory.
Solomon Sibley passed away in 1846. Soon after, his wife, Sarah Sproat Sibley, had this house built. She wanted a home for herself and their two daughters.
What Does Sibley House Look Like?
The Sibley House is built in a style called Greek Revival. This style was popular in the 1800s and often looks like ancient Greek temples. The house has a wooden outer layer called "clapboard." Its roof has a "side-gabled" shape, meaning the gables (the triangular parts of the wall under the roof) are on the sides.
The front of the house, which faces Jefferson Avenue, is very balanced and even. It has five sections, with windows that have flat, wide frames. In the middle of the front, there is a main entrance with columns, just like a small temple porch.
What Is Sibley House Used For Now?
After it was built, the Sibley House was a family home for a long time. Solomon Sibley's family members lived there from 1848 until 1925.
In 1925, the family sold the house to Christ Church Detroit, which is right next door. The church used the house for different things for many years. Then, in 1946, it became the official rectory for the church. A rectory is the home where a church's priest or minister lives. So, the Sibley House continues to be an important part of the community today.
See also
In Spanish: Casa Sibley para niños