MLive says: “This one is for the historic architecture fans. The Wing House Museum is magnificently preserved by the Branch County Historical Society. The 19th century Second Empire-style home is gorgeous from outside but if you are dying to see the preserved interior of the structure, visit between noon and 4 p.m. on the third Saturday of the month (April through October), when the museum is open to the public. You can make it part of a tour of the lovely historic architecture found around town in Coldwater.”
June 18, 2021
I called ahead and scheduled a private tour for myself at the Wing House Museum, since I was coming in on the third Friday (as opposed to the third Saturday, as the open hours are stated to be). They kindly honored my request and suggested a modest $5 donation for the one-on-one experience. When I arrived in Coldwater with my kayak strapped to the roof of my car, in hiking shorts, and masked up, I could tell I wasn’t what the elderly volunteers at the museum were expecting.
The first thing I was asked when I confirmed I was indeed, “Hannah, for the private tour?” was, “And why are you interested in this old house, young lady?” I couldn’t help but find it mostly amusing, after a full day on the road. I explained that I’d been visiting every county in Michigan, guided by a news article from over three years ago, and that their historical society and preserved home was on the list. When I mentioned being the new-ish owner of a 1905 craftsman-style bungalow in Grand Rapids, my tour guides warmed right up at the passive mention of restoring original features of my home and we were on our way.
My tour started in the sitting room in the front of the house, where I was described to every detail down to the original owners of the couches (generals from one of America’s many wars) and how to use the first record player ever invented (it was there: a massive upright thing with giant metal plates for records - and it played quite fine). We discussed every historical aspect of Coldwater and all of the American celebrities who had worked, lived, or visited the small town.
As we moved through the rest of the first floor of the home, I took note of lovely wallpapers, interesting art, an abundance of restored musical instruments, and strange little details in furniture around the house. We even checked out the basement, where the kitchen was.
We moved upstairs to explore the bedrooms, marvel at the bathrooms (added in more recently in the 1950s, plumbing wasn’t around when the house was originally built), and look over familial artifacts including clothing, books, and children’s toys. The level of detail provided by my guide was impeccable! I can’t recall most of it because I was so overwhelmed with information in the moment. Although I didn’t take a photo, inside of the hallway between the children’s room and the maid’s chamber is a case containing a size 24 shoe, belonging to a “fat lady” that was part of a circus. You can read about her in this article, and see her giant shoes! She was local to the area, and led a mysterious life.
The tour concluded in the dining room, where I was absolutely taken with the woodwork, fireplace, and vibrant paint and wallpaper colors. The family also collected specific kinds of glassware, and the collections were meticulously kept and organized in the built-in cabinets all around the room.
I am never quite sure what to expect from historical or architectural tours; neither are my forté and I don’t find either abundantly interesting past the surface. I absolutely commend the volunteers at the historical society for painting a fascinating picture Coldwater’s past and present through the halls of this beautiful home.
I will add here, for fun, that I overnighted in Coldwater on Friday night at a county park.
I visited a local spot called Willows Bar on the riverfront and drank a few pints of Oberon on the deck, and then made my way over to the area’s famous Capri Drive-In Theater! It was my first drive-in movie, and I had a blast (though the movie sucked)!
It was such a treat to partake in some favorite local picks (recommended by folks at the museum). Learning about well-loved locations like this is part of why I enjoy this project so much to begin with, and enjoying them alongside the communities that curate and steward them is such a privilege.
Forever grateful to live in Michigan, our ever-diverse and strange state.