May 19, 2012

After touring the Affleck House, I drove over to the Smith House & it was love at first site (hopefully I can tour it at some point). 

“The Melvyn Maxwell and Sara Stein Smith House was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1946 and constructed in 1949. It is a prime example of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian design philosophy for housing the “common” man. The house is a one story structure of approximately 1,800 square feet. It embodies Wright’s design principle of “organically” blending with the house with the site and surroundings. The use of strong horizontal roof planes, cantilevers, and the landscape emphasize the integrated relationship of the structure.” (text from michigan modern; to learn more/see interior photos go there)

May 19, 2012

Today I toured the Affleck House in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.  The tour was meh, but it is always interesting seeing how a university runs/uses a historic home. (this may be my least favorite FLW house I’ve toured so far)

May 12, 2012
John posted this after I asked him to help me figure out what the mysterious flaming spinning whirligig riding thing behind MOCAD was last night.  Help us solve the mystery!

John posted this after I asked him to help me figure out what the mysterious flaming spinning whirligig riding thing behind MOCAD was last night.  Help us solve the mystery!

May 11, 2012
Today was my first day volunteering at MOCAD and it was the opening night for their new exhibitions “Post-Industrial Complex” and “Vertical Urban Factory”. There was a big crowd & live music… it was a blast!  If you have a couple free hours go to MOCAD & see these new exhibits.

Today was my first day volunteering at MOCAD and it was the opening night for their new exhibitions “Post-Industrial Complex” and “Vertical Urban Factory”. There was a big crowd & live music… it was a blast!  If you have a couple free hours go to MOCAD & see these new exhibits.

11:34pm
  
Filed under: mocad detroit 
May 8, 2012
Detroit Typography, thanks for the “Weekly Sheet Lyric” poster by Don Kilpatrick III.  Finding this in my mailbox after work made my day.

Detroit Typography, thanks for the “Weekly Sheet Lyric” poster by Don Kilpatrick III.  Finding this in my mailbox after work made my day.

April 28, 2012
Historic Fort Wayne in Detroit, MI - for more information on what is currently happening at the site go here.  If you get the chance, you should go visit and support the preservation efforts being done at Fort Wayne.
“Fort Wayne is located in the city of Detroit, Michigan, at the foot of Livernois Avenue in the Delray neighborhood. The fort is situated on the Detroit River at a point where it is about a mile to the Canadian shore. The original 1848 limestone barracks (with later brick additions) still stands, as does the 1845 star fortification (renovated in 1863 with brick exterior facing). On the fort grounds but exterior to the original star fort are additional barracks, officers quarters, hospital, shops, recreation building, commissary, guard house, garage, and stables. Building continued on the site until 1931.
The fort sits on 96 acres. Since the 1970s, 83 acres, including the original star fort and a number of buildings, has been operated by the city of Detroit. The remaining area is operated by the Army Corps of Engineers as a boatyard. The fort was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1958 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.”

Historic Fort Wayne in Detroit, MI - for more information on what is currently happening at the site go here.  If you get the chance, you should go visit and support the preservation efforts being done at Fort Wayne.

“Fort Wayne is located in the city of Detroit, Michigan, at the foot of Livernois Avenue in the Delray neighborhood. The fort is situated on the Detroit River at a point where it is about a mile to the Canadian shore. The original 1848 limestone barracks (with later brick additions) still stands, as does the 1845 star fortification (renovated in 1863 with brick exterior facing). On the fort grounds but exterior to the original star fort are additional barracks, officers quarters, hospital, shops, recreation building, commissary, guard house, garage, and stables. Building continued on the site until 1931.

The fort sits on 96 acres. Since the 1970s, 83 acres, including the original star fort and a number of buildings, has been operated by the city of Detroit. The remaining area is operated by the Army Corps of Engineers as a boatyard. The fort was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1958 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.”

April 21, 2012

I made a tour reservation to go see the Affleck House next month (they only offer tours one day each month). 

“The first Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house to be built in the Detroit metropolitan area, the Affleck House represents one of the finest examples in the world of the architect’s Usonian style, the last great period of Wright’s career. Designed to exist in harmony with the home’s site and nature, the Affleck House was a part of Wright’s attempt to meet the need for low-cost housing for the average American. The importance of the house is borne by the fact that it was placed on the Michigan Register of Historic Places in 1978 and the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. The Michigan Society of Architects includes the house among Michigan’s 50 most significant structures.”

(Source: ltu.edu)

April 11, 2012

I’m making a list of things to do before I leave Michigan/ the Midwest (Summer 2013).  The list currently consists of the following: go to the Renegade Craft Fair, go to Cleveland, go to Pewabic Pottery, go to the Farnsworth House, and go feather bowling.  What do you think should be on my list (keep in mind I’m on a graduate student budget, so nothing too outrageous)? 

January 18, 2012
Dear, Michigan People,

Be my friend.  The majority of the people in my graduate program are not interested in similar recreational activities.  I am interested in the following (not limited to this list): movies, historic houses, museums, punk/hardcore/motown, going to shows, books, hiking, karaoke, FOOD… blah blah lots of stuff.  This is kind of pitiful, but I’m here until end of summer 2013 & I would really like to meet some awesome people.

Sincerely,

Sarah

PS. Come hang out at the Bleached show next week.

January 8, 2012

I went to the Detroit Institute of Arts today (it was a free day); they have a wide assortment & is over all a nice collection. 

November 5, 2011

Today I went to: The Heidelberg Project, The Guardian Building, Detroit Eastern Market, Brush Park Historic District.  I also went to: Michigan Central Station, Slows Bar BQ, El Tovar Apartments, and a bunch of other historic homes.  Every time I visit Detroit, I fall in love a bit more.

October 6, 2011
JD SAMSON: I Love My Job, But It Made Me Poorer

girlgangzine:

(via queers for feminism )

August 28, 2011
Losing Shape: Detroit Guest Spot Sept. 22-27th

losingshape:

true sight

August 10, 2011

mansgottado:

Every city has tourist destinations, ranging from cheesy tourist traps to incredible word of mouth hidden gems.  Yesterday I went to the Motown Museum in Detroit, and while it’s no secret, it was one of the best and most authentic guided tour activities I’ve ever experienced.  The tour guides were friendly, knowledgeable, and dynamic.  More importantly, the history of the place is fascinating, and the inspiring story of talented music industry pioneers and artists overcoming extreme racism through the universal language of good music will resonate forever.  Don’t miss it if you’re in the Detroit area.

I went on this tour the other day, while it was painfully corny I thoroughly enjoyed stomping around Hitsville, USA.