Even the Young Enjoy the Oldest Stone House
Have you ever wondered where the expression "sleep tight" originated? The answer lies in a bed not far from your own at the Oldest Stone House Museum in Lakewood Park. On a recent tour of the pioneer home, it was pleasantly surprising to see a group of young girls so interested in life long ago, especially on a warm Sunday afternoon.
Although small in size, the pioneer home turned museum is rich with artifacts from Lakewood life in the 1800s. Our gracious docent, Valerie Mechenbier, was kind enough to tailor the tour for younger folks while still appealing to the older "tourists." Not surprisingly, the girls were very intrigued by what appeared to be a key on a chain; actually an old-fashioned tooth-puller, called a "dental turnkey" in the 1800s. Another item of special interest included a yoke, which boys would use to carry buckets of water from the lake. It consists of a wooden bar with a chain on each end and an opening for the wearer's neck--not exactly an inviting device for your chores.
There are many other authentic period pieces in the parlor and kitchen, including a horsehair sofa, wind-up clock, melodeon, weaving loom, spinning wheel, candle maker, and dry sink. In the upstairs bedrooms, our tour guide pointed out the pattern of thin ropes (similar to our box spring) beneath each mattress. Each night, the ropes were tightened for maximum comfort, hence the phrase "sleep tight." Also worthy of close inspection in the bedrooms are the bed warmers, chamber pots, hatboxes, hatpins, and children's dolls, as well as curiously low ceilings. On your way out, don't miss the gravestones behind the museum. You'll have to take the tour to solve this mystery. (Don't worry; no one is buried in Lakewood Park!)
John Honam, a Scottish weaver, built the stone house in 1838 on the northwest corner of Detroit and St. Charles Avenue. The house was a family dwelling for many years, but later served as a doctor's office, a post office, a grocery store, a barber shop, and an upholstery company, according to Lakewood: The First Hundred Years, an illustrated history book by Jim and Susan Borchert (available in the museum gift shop). In 1952, the house was preserved and moved to Lakewood Park, largely through the efforts of Margaret Manor Butler and the Lakewood Historical Society. In the 1970s, a basement was dug to serve as headquarters for the Lakewood Historical Society.
The museum gift shop features a variety of items such as old-fashioned recipes, doll kits, note cards, and candles. There is also a valuable assortment of books on Lakewood's history, many of which contain fascinating photographs from our city's past. Free tours of the museum are available on Wednesdays from 1-4 p.m. and on Sundays from 2-5 p.m.
Anyone interested in learning more about the Lakewood Historical Society can call 216-221-7343. The Society's street address is 14710 Lake Avenue. It can also be reached at lakewoodhistory@bge.net and at www.lakewoodhistory.org . The organization provides many services to the community, including the maintenance of a photo-file collection of over 8,000 images of Lakewood's history. It also serves as an educational resource for schools and residents, providing information on house histories, settlers, buildings, and streets. Special tours are available with prior arrangement.
Although small in size, the pioneer home turned museum is rich with artifacts from Lakewood life in the 1800s. Our gracious docent, Valerie Mechenbier, was kind enough to tailor the tour for younger folks while still appealing to the older "tourists." Not surprisingly, the girls were very intrigued by what appeared to be a key on a chain; actually an old-fashioned tooth-puller, called a "dental turnkey" in the 1800s. Another item of special interest included a yoke, which boys would use to carry buckets of water from the lake. It consists of a wooden bar with a chain on each end and an opening for the wearer's neck--not exactly an inviting device for your chores.
There are many other authentic period pieces in the parlor and kitchen, including a horsehair sofa, wind-up clock, melodeon, weaving loom, spinning wheel, candle maker, and dry sink. In the upstairs bedrooms, our tour guide pointed out the pattern of thin ropes (similar to our box spring) beneath each mattress. Each night, the ropes were tightened for maximum comfort, hence the phrase "sleep tight." Also worthy of close inspection in the bedrooms are the bed warmers, chamber pots, hatboxes, hatpins, and children's dolls, as well as curiously low ceilings. On your way out, don't miss the gravestones behind the museum. You'll have to take the tour to solve this mystery. (Don't worry; no one is buried in Lakewood Park!)
John Honam, a Scottish weaver, built the stone house in 1838 on the northwest corner of Detroit and St. Charles Avenue. The house was a family dwelling for many years, but later served as a doctor's office, a post office, a grocery store, a barber shop, and an upholstery company, according to Lakewood: The First Hundred Years, an illustrated history book by Jim and Susan Borchert (available in the museum gift shop). In 1952, the house was preserved and moved to Lakewood Park, largely through the efforts of Margaret Manor Butler and the Lakewood Historical Society. In the 1970s, a basement was dug to serve as headquarters for the Lakewood Historical Society.
The museum gift shop features a variety of items such as old-fashioned recipes, doll kits, note cards, and candles. There is also a valuable assortment of books on Lakewood's history, many of which contain fascinating photographs from our city's past. Free tours of the museum are available on Wednesdays from 1-4 p.m. and on Sundays from 2-5 p.m.
Anyone interested in learning more about the Lakewood Historical Society can call 216-221-7343. The Society's street address is 14710 Lake Avenue. It can also be reached at lakewoodhistory@bge.net and at www.lakewoodhistory.org . The organization provides many services to the community, including the maintenance of a photo-file collection of over 8,000 images of Lakewood's history. It also serves as an educational resource for schools and residents, providing information on house histories, settlers, buildings, and streets. Special tours are available with prior arrangement.
Volume 1, Issue 1, Posted 10.29 AM / 2nd June 2005.
