We are counting down the days...
UNTIL HOME TOUR!
0
0
0
0
Days
0
0
Hrs
0
0
Min
0
0
Sec

60th Annual Marshall Historic Home Tour

Mark your calendars for September 6th and 7th! The 60th Annual Marshall Historic Home Tour promises a delightful weekend of history, architecture, and community spirit.

Tickets: Purchase your tickets online using the link below. Early bird pricing of $25 is available until Labor Day, after which tickets will be full price at $30. Online ticket holders can pick up their tickets at the ticket booth in front of the Honolulu House on the day of the event or at any of the participating homes. Please bring a copy of your email confirmation. Tickets are NOT for sale at the homes. For early pickup, visit the Honolulu House from September 2nd-4th from 4pm-6pm with a printed copy of your email confirmation. TICKETS ARE FULL PRICE ($30) AFTER LABOR DAY.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a self driving tour. There will be no bus transportation. Detailed maps with directions are in the ticket booklet.

Bonner Home   –  419 W Mansion

This striking Queen Anne home at 419 W. Mansion Street in Marshall, Michigan was built in 1893 and has long been a cornerstone of the town’s architectural and personal history. Originally commissioned by lumber merchant Galusha Lamb for druggist Milton B. Powell, the property returned to the Lamb family after just two years and remained with them until 1968.
In 2020, Kieth and Susan Bonner took ownership and launched a thoughtful restoration that honored the home’s character while adding modern conveniences. Original features include a three-story turret, wraparound porch, oak banister, stained glass, and pocket doors. Updates included a new laundry room, kitchen and bathroom remodels, custom woodwork, and a playful attic “LEGO retreat.”
Their work earned the 2023 Marshall Historical Society Preservation Award and ensures this Queen Anne gem will continue to inspire for years to come.

Whelan Home  –  218 S Eagle

The Pendleton-Alexander House, also known as Abarthan Place, is a rare Octagon-style home built in 1856—a design popularized by Orson Fowler for its efficiency and light. With fewer than 500 such structures remaining nationwide, it’s a true architectural gem, blending an eight-sided layout with elegant Italianate details.
Originally constructed by Increase Pendleton, the house was expanded in 1875 by Morgan J. Alexander, who added bay windows, porches, gingerbread trim, and a scored stucco exterior. In 1923, it passed to the Mumaw family, who converted the home into rental units during the Great Depression. Longtime tenant Howard Butson inherited it in 1982 and began restoring the original layout.
Current owners George and Debra Whelan purchased the property in 2009 and moved in by 2013. Driven by a love of historic architecture, they’ve led a hands-on restoration effort—reviving the kitchen and several other rooms, including Debra’s faux wood graining artistry that enhances the home’s historic charm. Their dedication continues to breathe new life into one of Marshall’s most distinctive homes.

Vose/Reiter Home – 602 Kalamazoo Ave

Walnut Hill, located at 602 N. Kalamazoo Avenue in Marshall, Michigan, is a standout historic home built in 1857. This home reflects several classic architectural styles, including Italianate and Colonial Revival, typical of North Kalamazoo Avenue’s character.
With more than 5,000 square feet on 1.5 acres, the home was designed for spacious, elegant living—featuring high ceilings, fine woodwork, brass fixtures, and hardwood floors. Its layout includes six bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, and a grand 45 x 20 gathering room for entertaining.
Over the years, Walnut Hill has been thoughtfully updated while preserving its historic charm. A major remodel in the 1980s and a restoration in 2021 brought modern upgrades—from a new kitchen and HVAC systems to custom cabinetry and lighting—while maintaining the home’s timeless beauty inside and out.
Today, Walnut Hill stands as a beautifully restored landmark, blending 19th-century craftsmanship with present-day comfort, and remains a treasured part of Marshall’s heritage.

Bright Home – 518 E Mansion

Built in 1835, the distinguished residence at 518 West Mansion Street stands as a rare and captivating example of early 19th-century architecture, boasting a history as rich as its foundational sandstone.
This venerable home originally featured two prominent chimneys on its east side, where charming small windows now reside, hinting at the architectural evolution over nearly two centuries. Early maps also reveal an intriguing detail: an initial entrance on the north side, a testament to its changing layout. Notably, its raised sandstone foundation allowed for a kitchen on the lower level, an unconventional and fascinating design choice for its era, underscoring its unique historical character.
The property’s esteemed lineage includes Mrs. Minerva P. Greves, who maintained ownership until 1850, followed by the Reverend Calvin Clark, a respected Presbyterian minister, who resided there for five years. By 1863, Mrs. Emma Ingersoll was the owner before Samuel S. Bangs, a prominent local drover (stock buyer), acquired the property. Under his ownership, it became widely known as the “Bangs’ Place,” and in the late 1860s and early 1870s, it served as a residence for various tenants.
In 2019, this historic gem began a new chapter with its current owners. They have embarked on a comprehensive and thoughtful restoration, meticulously remodeling all bathrooms, the laundry room, and both hallway and ceiling paneling. Their dedication extends to the exterior, with extensive landscaping that enhances the property’s grandeur. Through their efforts, the current owners have lovingly restored this beautiful home, ensuring its architectural integrity and historical charm continue to captivate for generations to come.

Soper Home – 513 N Kalamazoo

The home at 513 North Kalamazoo Avenue in Marshall, Michigan blends Greek Revival and Gothic Revival styles, reflecting evolving 19th-century tastes. While its exact construction date isn’t confirmed, records suggest E.H. Lawrence likely built the original structure around 1853 after purchasing the land from his brother. A rise in taxes during that time supports this theory.
In 1856, Benjamin Linscott acquired part of the property, and by 1867, it passed to Mrs. J.A. Van Horn, as demand for land along the Marshall-Bellvue Plank Road grew rapidly. The house shows signs of phased construction, with Greek Revival hallmarks like a recessed transom-topped door, wide entablature boards, and six-over-six windows. Later additions introduced Gothic features, including a steep-gabled dormer with flat architraves.
Though modified over the years—such as the removal of a south porch—the home stands as a unique mix of architectural history in Marshall.

Withee-Postula Home – 21744 H Drive North

The house at 21744 H Drive North in Marshall, Michigan is a beautiful example of mid-1800s design called Greek Revival. It was first built between 1836 and 1840 by a man named Melanchthon J. Bagg, with help from his neighbor, carpenter Luther Crossman. In 1866, Crossman added a large section to the house. One special part of the property—a stone smokehouse—still stands from the earliest days.
The story of the home goes beyond just its architecture. The current owner, Joshua Withee, bought it in 2021, but his family’s connection to the house goes way back. His grandfather, Alton B. Withee, was born there in 1922 when his parents were renting it as farmers. Amazingly, Alton’s great-granddaughter—Joshua’s youngest child—was born in the same house in 2023, exactly 101 years later.
Before Joshua took ownership, the Postula family lived there. One of them, Victor Postula, was well known in town and played football at Michigan State.
When Joshua bought the house, he began restoring it, removing updates made during the 1950s and 1960s to bring it back to its original look. His careful work helps preserve an important part of Marshall’s history.

Ostrum Home – 108 N Park Ave

At 108 N. Park Avenue in Marshall, Michigan stands a modest Greek Revival cottage with deep ties to state and national history. Built around 1834 by Isaac Edwin Crary—coauthor of Michigan’s public education blueprint—the home reflects the ideals of democracy and design that shaped the Greek Revival style popular at the time. Crary’s legislative work laid the foundation for Michigan’s school system, public libraries, and ultimately the U.S. Land Grant Act.
Crary’s personal story lives on in Marshall through buildings tied to his life and marriage to Bolona Pratt, daughter of Abner Pratt, whose iconic Honolulu House sits nearby. Over the decades, Crary’s cottage was altered and partially relocated, serving many roles—from private residence to furrier’s shop to chiropractor’s office.
In the 1970s, local residents rescued the condemned structure, and successive owners gave it new life. Today, Bayberry House Interiors—founded in 1988 by owner and designer Janet Ostrum—thrives in the restored space. Since adding a garage and apartment in 2022, Janet now lives and works in this historic home, making hers the longest active stewardship of the property.

Paul Home – 343 High St.

Built in 1860, the Victorian cottage at 343 High Street has seen over thirteen owners, each adding a chapter to its story. Notable residents include Herbert Mann, Marshall’s first ward alderman, and Judge Russell Barnum, both of whom helped shape the town’s legacy.
After standing vacant for years, the home was purchased in 2019 by Carol Paul, who lovingly restored it with the help of friends and her husband—a gifted carpenter. Furnished with antiques sourced from Newport, Rhode Island, the cottage reflects both historical charm and personal craftsmanship.
Today, it stands as a beautifully preserved gem and a symbol of devoted stewardship in Marshall’s historic district.