61st Annual Marshall Historic Home Tour
Mark your calendars for September 12th and 13th! The 61st Annual Marshall Historic Home Tour promises a delightful weekend of history, architecture, and community spirit.
Hours: Saturday, September 12th: 9am-5pm | Sunday, September 13th: 10am-5pm.
Tickets: Purchase your tickets online using the link below. Early bird pricing of $30 is available until Labor Day, after which tickets will be full price at $35. 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 8th-10th from 4pm-6pm with a copy of your email confirmation. TICKETS ARE FULL PRICE ($35) 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.
Art at the Museum: The Art at the Museum show returns for its 13th year on the lawn of the historic Honolulu House Museum at 107 N Kalamazoo Ave. The event runs Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors can browse a wide variety of original, handcrafted artwork created by talented artists from across Michigan. From Petoskey stone picture frames and pottery to candles, soaps, fused glass, and woodworking, there’s something for every taste and budget. The event celebrates local creativity and offers a chance to support artists from the region in a relaxed, outdoor setting.
The Vintage Market: The Vintage Market runs Saturday, September 12 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, September 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It takes place around the Kellogg Community Credit Union at 107 N. Park Ave., rain or shine! You’ll find all kinds of vintage items, antiques, garden decorations, plants, and one-of-a-kind treasures. There will also be live music and food trucks to enjoy while you browse. The event is well known in the area and draws a good crowd. Security will be on-site, and restrooms are nearby to make things easy for visitors.
Honolulu House Ball of 1865: This event will take place at 6 p.m. on Saturday, September 12, right after the home tour. The event is outdoors in front of the Honolulu House Museum at 107 N Kalamazoo Ave. Guests can enjoy light refreshments and music as they gather for an evening of dancing. Historic costumes are only required for the first dance, so everyone is welcome to join in and enjoy the atmosphere.
Marshall Area Farmers Market: 8am to 1pm on Saturday, September 6th. Located at 124 W. Green St. Offering a wide variety of local and fresh products.
Cassady Home – 520 W Michigan Ave
The Joseph L. Lord House, completed in 1838 at the corner of Mulberry and State Streets, is one of Marshall’s finest early brick homes. Built by a skilled carpenter from New York, it reflects a transitional moment in American architecture, bridging the late Colonial and Greek Revival periods. The design blends two defining 19th-century styles: the Federal style, visible in its simple, balanced lines and roof orientation, and vernacular Greek Revival elements, seen in the entablature details and full-height first-floor windows.
Originally, the home featured a corner entrance leading to a side parlor and dining room, with a staircase tucked beneath a low roofline. In 1874, Joseph Lord updated the exterior by adding bay windows along State Street, giving the house a more prominent presence.
After years of decline following Lord’s death in 1883, the property was rescued by preservationist Harold C. Brooks. He carefully restored the structure, repairing the masonry and roof, reconstructing the original porch and entry, and adding a rear extension that preserved the integrity of the 1838 design.
Today, the home is proudly maintained by Roger and Darlene Cassady, continuing its legacy as a beautifully preserved example of Marshall’s early craftsmanship and architectural heritage.
Grantier Home – 751 E Mansion St
This two-story wooden Colonial Revival home, built in 1910, sits along a quiet stretch of Mansion Street, where early twentieth-century houses give the neighborhood its calm, welcoming character. From its construction, the home has reflected the balanced proportions and understated elegance typical of Colonial Revival design. Its wood-frame structure and practical layout were created for comfortable daily living, with spaces arranged to bring in both light and ease.
Over time, the house has been home to several families, each adding to its story while preserving its enduring form and character.
Today, the home is proudly owned by Brooks and Wanza Grantier, who continue to care for and maintain its historic charm.
Hawker Ishaya Home – 509 Homer Rd
Set along the curve of Homer Road, where the nearby river once powered early breweries and small industries, 509 Homer Road has roots in a landscape shaped by work, water, and ambition. In the mid-19th century, the property belonged to brewer Wendelin Mors, whose household reflected both industry and everyday life. By the early 20th century, the setting had evolved into a family homestead. The Zanger family lived here for many years, with local records offering glimpses of their daily routines, including small-scale farming activities that complemented life in a growing town.
In the decades that followed, the home continued to witness the stories of Marshall residents. It survived a significant fire in 1946, an event that surely drew the attention of the surrounding neighborhood. The Angel family, who made the house their home for more than 25 years, became an enduring part of its history; records note that Stanley Angel lived here from the 1930s until his passing.
Through these layers of history, the house stands not just as a structure, but as a reflection of the lives lived within it—sheltering generations of brewers, farmers, tradespeople, and families.
Felsburg Home – 323 N Marshall Ave
This two-story wooden Italianate home, built around 1850, is among Marshall’s earlier surviving residences and appears on an 1854 map of the city. Designed in the Italianate style, the house has evolved over time through a series of thoughtful modifications that reflect changing needs and tastes.
By the time Dave and Alice Watson purchased the property in 1994, it had been divided into a duplex and required extensive restoration, including a deteriorating garage. The Watsons undertook a comprehensive rehabilitation, redesigning the floor plan while preserving historic character. They created a three-bedroom apartment for themselves as they carefully restored the oldest sections of the home from the exterior inward. Original features were revived wherever possible, including reopening the dining room entrance and salvaging and reinstalling baseboards.
The rear portion of the home was reimagined to include a family room, second kitchen, and a master suite. A distinctive dining room archway was crafted from reclaimed porch boards salvaged from a historic home in Sturgis, adding another layer of regional history to the house.
Today, the home is owned by Darren and Rochelle Felsburg, who purchased it in July 2025, continuing its story as a restored and evolving piece of Marshall’s architectural heritage.
Boles Hanford Home – 784 N Kalamazoo Ave.
This Italianate home, originally built in 1871 at 215 North Madison Street, reflects a rich and varied history shaped by innovation, community, and unexpected global connections. In the early 20th century, it was owned by Manley Houston, who embraced modern technology by promoting his gasoline powered vacuum cleaning service, an advanced concept at a time when most homes relied on traditional methods. His advertisements offer a glimpse into a household eager to adopt new ideas.
The home later became the residence of Mrs. E. B. More, a longtime and well known member of the neighborhood. By midcentury, it also served as a place of remarkable hospitality. In 1960, the Blakslee family welcomed Madame Ku Pih Yi Shu of Taipei, an adviser to the Chinese delegation at the United Nations, bringing a moment of international presence into this Marshall home during the era of the Cold War.
Facing demolition in 2009 due to nearby hospital expansion, the house was given new life through an extraordinary effort. William and Kathy Boles purchased the structure and arranged for its relocation to North Kalamazoo Avenue at the corner of 16 1/2 Mile Road and F Drive. The carefully orchestrated move preserved this historic residence and allowed it to continue as a visible link between Marshall’s 19th century roots and its present day community.
Today, the home stands not only as an example of Italianate architecture, but also as a testament to preservation and the enduring stories of the people who lived within its walls.
Wallace Hawker Home – 120 S Parkview
This home, built around 1880, dates to a period when Marshall was emerging as the vibrant and architecturally rich community it is known for today. Ideally located between the National House Inn and Fountain Circle, it stands within one of the city’s most historic areas, where nineteenth century design continues to define the neighborhood’s character.
From its earliest days, the house reflected the craftsmanship of the era. Tall windows, solid construction, and carefully considered details spoke to the pride and skill of its builders. Over time, the home adapted to meet changing needs and was eventually converted from a single family residence into a two unit dwelling.
Despite these updates, many original features remain. Tin ceilings, leaded glass windows, and the traditional Michigan basement highlight the materials and building methods of the late nineteenth century, preserving a strong sense of the home’s historic character.
First Presbyterian Church – 200 W Mansion
First Presbyterian Church stands as a lasting symbol of faith and community in Marshall, reflecting the city’s rich architectural and cultural heritage. Established during the years when Marshall was growing into a prominent center of commerce and civic life, the church has long served as a gathering place for worship, fellowship, and service.
The building reflects the craftsmanship and design sensibilities of its era, with traditional forms and thoughtful details that convey both dignity and simplicity. Its presence within the city contributes to the historic streetscape, linking generations of residents through shared tradition and purpose.
Over the years, the church has remained active in the life of the community, adapting to changing times while maintaining its original mission. Within its walls, countless services, celebrations, and moments of reflection have taken place, making it not only an architectural landmark but also a living part of Marshall’s history.
Today, First Presbyterian Church continues to serve as a place of connection and continuity, preserving its historic character while welcoming new generations into its story.
Worship Service starts at 10:00 am on Sunday Mornings and on Facebook live with the first Sunday being Communion Sunday.
Eastend Arts Center – 143 W Michigan Ave
Commissioned by businessman Martin V. Wagner and completed in 1871, Wagner’s Block at 143 W. Michigan Avenue is a premier example of Second Empire architecture in Marshall. Designed by famed Chicago architect John Mills Van Osdel, the building features a striking slate-covered mansard roof with oval dormers, ornate cast iron and limestone details, and elegant Corinthian columns. Throughout its history, this landmark served as a multipurpose community hub, housing retail shops on the ground floor, Wagner’s law and insurance offices on the second, and a grand third-floor ballroom adorned with scenic paintings by artist F.A. Grace.
The building’s historic integrity was largely preserved in the mid-20th century thanks to the efforts of preservationist Harold C. Brooks. Today, it is home to the Eastend Arts Center, a non-profit organization that has transformed the space into a vibrant arts center. While the first floor showcases works from over 60 artists, the upper levels are dedicated to art education and studio residency. The organization continues to focus on restoration projects that honor the building’s 1870s grandeur while establishing it as a permanent cultural cornerstone for fine arts in Southwest Michigan.
Now owned and operated by the Eastend Arts Center, this non-profit arts organization has transformed the historic space into a vibrant cultural hub.
