Ypsilanti Bicentennial Historical Homes Tour: Come Celebrate With Us On August 20!
Did you know that Ypsilanti has the third-largest historic district in the entire state of Michigan? It’s true! We have more stunning examples of 19th century architecture than your average city! Of course, there are countless homes outside of the historic district that exemplify period-specific architecture, but the historic district reflects Ypsilanti’s appreciation of the importance of preserving and maintaining our architectural gems.
There are so many things to love about Ypsilanti, and one of our favorites is the incredible architecture and the abundance of spectacular old homes. Imagine the history and the drama that those homes have seen - so many families, so many lives playing out over hundreds of years! After a pandemic hiatus, the Ypsilanti Heritage Foundation is bringing back its Historical Homes Tour for the 43rd iteration on August 20, 2023. The tour will be part of the extensive lineup of summer events celebrating Ypsilanti’s bicentennial anniversary.
Purchase a VIP ticket to come celebrate with us at The Newton after the historic homes tour! We’ll have delicious food and drinks in the beautiful courtyard.
This year’s tour will include several lovingly maintained homes along North Huron Street, ranging in age from 100 to 200 years old. Tickets will provide access to tour the exterior and interior of the homes, all of which have extensive original features. To make the event even more special, you can purchase a VIP ticket which includes a post-tour celebratory garden party in the stunning courtyard of The Newton of Ypsilanti. You’ll get to enjoy the delicious food and drinks of Chef (and Innkeeper) Allison Anastasio, and the historical expertise of our resident architect (and Innkeeper) Chuck Bultman.
The Newton isn’t part of the YHF Historical Homes Tour this year - access to the interior will be limited as Chef Allison and her team will be hard at work in the kitchen, and our overnight guests deserve some privacy. However, it was featured on the tour in 2001 and 2007, and you can see the lovely interior in the gallery on our website! The house was built in 1870 for Samuel Barnard (vice president of the Peninsular Paper Mill), and was purchased in 1917 by Charles Newton. Charles Newton was one of Henry Ford’s closest assistants and was instrumental in the procurement of many items in the Henry Ford Museum’s collections. Newton did extensive renovations to the house, including the additions of the dramatically columned porch, the courtyard in back, the kitchen, and the garage. He also added one of the inn’s most notable features by installing an incredible 18th century New England tavern in the basement.
The 18th c. tavern in The Newton’s basement
Though the house could technically be described as Neoclassical today, it bears many of the hallmark features of an Italianate structure, and it is built on Victorian bones (come to the party! Ask Chuck more about this!). Determining the building’s history is a forensic exercise in online and in-person research, community networking, and simply staring at the details of the house itself, trying to tease out evidence of long-ago and not-so-long-ago modifications! We love it!
Buy tickets for the house tour here! Stay with us for the Bicentennial Weekend (August 19-20) and immerse yourself in the history of it all - you can book rooms here!
Be sure to also mark your calendar for the 4th of July Parade, Bicentennial community picnic, and time capsule opening on July 4 at Riverside Park. There will be live music, food, and games!
Happy 200th Birthday, Ypsilanti! We are thrilled to be part of the city’s bicentennial celebrations!
Note: There is a free History Stroll along North Huron Street on Saturday August 19 with local historian and naturalist Stefan Szumko, if you would like to learn about many of these buildings from the sidewalk! The YHF Homes Tour on Sunday August 20 requires a ticket and includes access to the interior of the homes - we just don’t want to confuse anyone!
