Wing House Museum facts for kids
The Wing House is a special old house located at 27 South Jefferson Street in Coldwater, Michigan. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, which means it's recognized as an important historical building. Today, the Branch County Historical Society takes care of it and runs it as the Wing House Museum, where people can visit and learn about its past.
Quick facts for kids |
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Wing House
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 27 S. Jefferson St., Coldwater, Michigan |
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| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built | 1875 |
| Architectural style | Second Empire |
| NRHP reference No. | 75000938 |
| Added to NRHP | February 24, 1975 |
Contents
Who Lived in the Wing House?
The Chandlers
The story of the Wing House begins with Albert Chandler. He was a very successful businessman in Coldwater. He started a newspaper called the Coldwater Sentinel in 1841. He also owned a hardware store. Albert was even Coldwater's first mayor, serving three times!
His son, Jay Chandler, worked as a tinner, probably for his father's business. In 1875, Jay married Frances Campbell, who was from New York. Frances was a bit worried about moving to Coldwater. Back then, the area was still quite wild. To help her feel more at home, her father supposedly helped build a house in Coldwater that looked just like his own house in New York. This was the house we now call the Wing House.
However, Jay and Frances's marriage didn't last. In 1882, Jay sold the house to Lucius M. Wing. Frances then moved back to New York. Jay Chandler passed away in 1884.
The Wings
Lucius M. Wing was another important person in Coldwater. He was born in 1840. He grew up working on his father's farm and in a brickyard. In 1861, he started his own farm.
A year later, in 1862, he joined the army as a private in the 19th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He was a brave soldier and quickly became a Lieutenant, then a Captain. After the Civil War ended, Wing returned to farming.
Later, he was elected sheriff of Coldwater. This is when he moved into the city. In 1868, Lucius married Adeline M. Knapp. Both Lucius and Adeline Wing were very active in the community. They were leaders in social and political groups in Coldwater during the late 1800s.
The Wings lived in the house for many years. Adeline passed away in 1912, and Lucius in 1921. After Lucius's death, the house went to his son, S. L. Wing. S. L., his wife Beniti, and their daughter Adaline lived there.
In the early 1970s, the Branch County Historical Society bought the house. They turned it into the museum we see today.
What Does the Wing House Look Like?
The Wing House is a three-story building with a unique style called Second Empire. The bottom part of the house, which is slightly below ground level, is made of brick.
The roof is very special. It's a slightly curved mansard roof covered with tin. The very top edge of the roof has decorative blocks called modillions.
A large porch with a stone stairway runs along the front of the house. The main entrance is in the middle, through two arched double doors. There's also another porch along one side of the house. The windows are tall and arched, with two panes of glass, one above the other.
See also
In Spanish: Casa Wing para niños
