Museum's Classic Holiday Home Tour is Dec. 6-7

Wed, Dec 3, 2008    to del.icio.us

Ribbons made out of old prom dresses adorn the front staircase. Children's artwork decorates the walls. Antiques purchased from local estates and handed down from family members add to the charm of the 1890s home of Betty Anderson — just one of nine homes on the Tri-Cities Historical Museum's annual Classic Holiday Home Tour on Saturday and Sunday.

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Anderson, 90, said she and her husband, Chester, had been married about four years when they bought the house — built by former hardware store owner G.A. Bottje in 1949 or 1950 for about $7,500.

The house at 420 Clinton still has a lot of the original features, although some things were changed around over the years by Chester, a builder and cabinet maker, Anderson said.

The former parlor now serves as a bedroom, while a former bedroom and the living room were combined to make a bigger living room. The dining area remains essentially the same, while the kitchen has been remodeled a couple of times over the years and the old pantry now serves as the downstairs bathroom.

There are two bedrooms and the original bathroom upstairs. The front upstairs section has been converted into an apartment which will not be on the tour.

"It was kind of a continual job," Anderson said, "but it still has a lot of the original charm."

Anderson pointed out some framed artwork created by her son, David, who had cancer and died in his early 20s. There was also a stitched flag on the wall created by her husband and his brothers when they were children.

"They had to have something to keep them busy when one of them had scarlet fever and they were quarantined," Anderson explained.

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Heirlooms from Chester's native Sweden are also found throughout the house, including a wooden horse carved by his cousin almost 100 years ago, and a chair — the only remaining part of a set of eight — carved by his grandfather and his grandfather's brothers.

Wooden and tin trays from Betty Anderson's mother also adorn the walls.

Behind the house, the original barn still exists.

"It had two box stalls for horses and a hay loft," Anderson said. "There was also a ramp for the buggies."

Anderson said only the remnants of the ramp were there when they bought the house. Some of the small drawers from the old hardware store line one of the walls.

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The museum's Classic Holiday Home Tour will be conducted from 1-6 p.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10 per person and tickets are available at each home on the tour.

For more information, call the museum at 842-7000.

This year's tour showcases homes ranging from cozy cottage-style to ultra-contemporary. The homes have unique features and furnishings, and interesting displays.

Bennink home, 18180 Lost Creek Lane, Spring Lake

This home is just two years old. It is decorated with treasures gathered from trips that the Benninks have taken to various countries. The home displays many cherished family decorations and ornaments.

Hanks home, 116 S. Jackson, Spring Lake

This home was originally built in 1919 as a Masonic Lodge. The building has had many tenants and uses over the years until its purchase by Gary and Michelle Hanks. Known affectionately by the Hanks as the "SLBOB" or "Spring Lake Big Old Building," it now includes a loft as their residence on the upper floor, a music studio on the main level, and a library and gym on the garden level.

Isabel's House, 107 S. Division, Spring Lake

Aloys Bilz first constructed this home in 1866 after establishing a successful hardware store on Mill Point. In 1908, electricity was installed in the home and plumbing followed in 1912. It has been established as a listing on the state and federal registers of historic places. The home is grand and still carries the spirit of the former residents who loved it.

Adams Row Condo, 503 Adams, Grand Haven

Part of the new Adams Row Condominiums, this modern home features quartz countertops, hardwood maple floors throughout, cathedral ceiling with a glass railing around the balcony, and many holiday decorations.

Anderson home, 420 Clinton, Grand Haven

This Victorian home was built in 1890 by G.A. Bottje, a local hardware store owner in 1890. The original structure remains much the same with the addition of indoor plumbing. Enjoy the chandelier in the dining room as well as original woodwork, windows and carvings throughout the home.

Captain's Cottage, 19 Clinton Grand Haven

This is a circa-1900 farm house-style home originally built by a ship's captain. Now a rental property, it is part of the Harbor House Inn properties whose owners wanted to maintain the historical character of the home, so few changes have been made to the exterior of the cottage. The interior features three nautical-style suites: the Foredeck, Aftdeck and Upperdeck. Each suite includes a living room, galley kitchen, bedroom private bath, and a porch or balcony.

Jackson home, 316 Sherman, Grand Haven

This house was built in 1949 by local shoe store owner Henry Kooiman. The house was built in the Great Depression era, "minimal traditional" style. The current owners are the third family to occupy the house. They have remodeled many areas. All will enjoy the incredible views from large windows on both the front and the back.

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Patterson home, 1250 Washington, Grand Haven

This home was built in 1894 by Henry and Anna Donker. Henry was a foreman at the local leather plant. The home at one time had a room used as a cobbler studio. Since buying the home in 2004, the Pattersons have had extensive renovations made both inside and out to enhance the architecture and character of the home. The original coach stone still sits out front and greets guests upon arrival.

Schuiteman home, 215 Lafayette, Grand Haven

This home was built in 1908. For many years, it was known as the Christmas House. The owners would hang 260 strings of lights along the eaves, porch and trees. It was a popular holiday attraction from Thanksgiving to New Year's, and drew car loads of people to see it.

Tri-Cities Historical Museum, 200 Washington, Grand Haven

Since its construction in 1871 by lumber baron H.C. Akeley, this building has been home to many businesses. In 1890, Corneil Addison began a dry goods, carpet and ready-to-wear store. The glass storefront was added in 1906 during a modernization of the store. In 1928, William D. Baltz joined with Addison and the store was renamed Addison-Baltz. Steketees began leasing the building in 1958 until the store closed in 2000. Tri-Cities Historical Museum purchased the property from the W.D. Baltz Trust in June 2002.

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