LAKE SIDE GEM

The Grosse Pointe War Memorial is a wonderful example of American architecture.  It’s the perfect venue to represent the Veterans’ of wars past and present.  It is a sturdy, commanding structure with classic lines and symmetry.

The Moorings, (as it was once named) was commissioned by Russell A. Alger Jr. and his wife, Annette in 1910.  As one of the founders of the Packard Motor Company and the son of Michigan Governor & Senator Russell Alger Sr., Russell Jr. felt a deep bond to the communities of the Pointes’.  This could by why the family so graciously chose to donate the house in 1949 to the community, enriching it’s cultural, educational, and civic needs.

The legendary architect Charles A. Platt designed the beautiful Italian renaissance style home.  Platt was a famous architect of the time who created many memorable designs, including the Freer Gallery of Art in Washington D.C.  His expertise at the time was to create traditional country style homes with an emphasis on function and simplicity.

The home is situated on one on the highest points of land on Lake St. Clair, with two stories facing the street and three stories facing the lake.  Platt’s design took full advantage of the location while creating a simple elegance that would enhance the community’s style for many years to come.

As you approach the house on it’s tree lined brick driveway, two lion statues greet you.  The circular driveway has a stunning fountain in the middle.  The majestic stucco facade of the home with its sturdy wood double doors emphasize the understated simplicity of the era.

Famous landscape architect Ellen Shipman created the properties beautiful gardens.  Shipman had several collaborations in the area with Platt.  As you pass through a wrought iron gate you enter a corridor lined with stunning roman pillars.  The traditional Italian gardens compliment the style of the home.  The gardens surround a pond in its middle with a wonderful bronze statue.

As a true testament to the wishes of the Alger family, the Grosse Pointe War Memorial continues to serve as a mecca of enrichment to the lives of the community, and it’s veterans.  Today the War memorial offers educational classes, media programing, wedding and banquet facilities, veteran’s affairs and much more.  The Grosse Pointe War Memorial was and is a great Michigan gem.

For more information on the Grosse Pointe War Memorial and its community activities please contact:

www.warmemorial.org

LAKE SIDE GEM

As a teenager I remember riding my bike around the streets of Grosse Pointe Farms, and looking at all the beautiful house’s in the area.  One house in particular stood out from the rest, it was the Grosse Pointe War Memorial.  At the time I knew nothing about the history of the house or why it was now the War Memorial, but I did enjoy being able to ride my bike around the property and explore it’s beauty.

LAKE SIDE GEM

LAKE SIDE GEM

The Grosse Pointe War Memorial is a wonderful example of American architecture.  It’s the perfect venue to represent the Veterans’ of wars past and present.  It is a sturdy, commanding structure with classic lines and symmetry.

The Moorings, (as it was once named) was commissioned by Russell A. Alger Jr. and his wife, Annette in 1910.  As one of the founders of the Packard Motor Company and the son of Michigan Governor & Senator Russell Alger Sr., Russell Jr. felt a deep bond to the communities of the Pointes’.  This could by why the family so graciously chose to donate the house in 1949 to the community, enriching it’s cultural, educational, and civic needs.

The legendary architect Charles A. Platt designed the beautiful Italian renaissance style home.  Platt was a famous architect of the time who created many memorable designs, including the Freer Gallery of Art in Washington D.C.  His expertise at the time was to create traditional country style homes with an emphasis on function and simplicity.

The home is situated on one on the highest points of land on Lake St. Clair, with two stories facing the street and three stories facing the lake.  Platt’s design took full advantage of the location while creating a simple elegance that would enhance the community’s style for many years to come.

As you approach the house on it’s tree lined brick driveway, two lion statues greet you.  The circular driveway has a stunning fountain in the middle.  The majestic stucco facade of the home with its sturdy wood double doors emphasize the understated simplicity of the era.

Famous landscape architect Ellen Shipman created the properties beautiful gardens.  Shipman had several collaborations in the area with Platt.  As you pass through a wrought iron gate you enter a corridor lined with stunning roman pillars.  The traditional Italian gardens compliment the style of the home.  The gardens surround a pond in its middle with a wonderful bronze statue.

As a true testament to the wishes of the Alger family, the Grosse Pointe War Memorial continues to serve as a mecca of enrichment to the lives of the community, and it’s veterans.  Today the War memorial offers educational classes, media programing, wedding and banquet facilities, veteran’s affairs and much more.  The Grosse Pointe War Memorial was and is a great Michigan gem.

For more information on the Grosse Pointe War Memorial and its community activities please contact: