Walter P. and May Wolf Reuther House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Walter P. and May Wolf Reuther House
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| Location | 3924-3950-3954 Ellamae, Rochester, Michigan |
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| Area | 2.1 acres (0.85 ha) |
| Built | 1951 |
| Architect | Walter Reuther, Oscar Stonorov |
| Architectural style | International Style |
| NRHP reference No. | 02000668 |
| Added to NRHP | June 20, 2002 |
The Walter P. and May Wolf Reuther House is a special family home in Oakland Township, near Rochester, Michigan. It was built for Walter Reuther, who was a very important leader of the United Automobile Workers (UAW) union, and his wife, May. The Reuthers lived in this house from 1951 until they passed away in 1970. This house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002 because of its history and design.
Contents
The Reuther Family Home: A Look Back
In 1951, Walter and May Reuther found these plots of land. They first planned to build a summer house for their family here. They stayed in a small house on the property that summer. By the end of the season, they decided to make it their permanent home.
Designing Their Dream Home
Walter Reuther worked with his friend, architect Oscar Stonorov. Together, they designed a ranch-style house for the property. A ranch-style house is usually a single-story home that spreads out horizontally. The house was built quickly, and the family moved in permanently by 1953.
Over the years, Walter Reuther kept making changes and additions to the house. He even built a separate guest house. This guest house was used to host important visitors, like diplomats from other countries.
A Sad End and New Beginnings
The Reuthers lived in this house until May 9, 1970. On that day, they passed away in a plane crash, along with Oscar Stonorov. After their passing, the family sold the property in 1973.
Exploring the Reuther House Property
The Walter P. and May Wolf Reuther House sits on three connected pieces of land. A winding stream called Paint Creek flows through the property. The area has three main buildings.
The Main House
The main house is located within a curve of Paint Creek. You reach it by walking across narrow wooden bridges over the water. It is a one-story building. The outside is covered with dark brown redwood planks. It has a strong concrete block foundation.
A two-story part is connected to the middle of the house. Underneath this part is a small, covered entrance. Large windows from the floor to the ceiling look out over Paint Creek. There is also a big stone chimney on one side.
The Guest House
The guest house is a two-story building with a modern design. It has a low, sloping roof. A wooden deck extends out over Paint Creek. The outside walls are made of the same dark wood as the main house. The side of the guest house that faces the creek is almost entirely made of glass.
The Guard House
The guard house is a rectangular, ranch-style building. It has a low-pitched, sloping roof. It stands on a high hill near the road.
