An Oakland County Jewel is Now a National Treasure
The William E. Scripps Estate in Orion Township has been approved by Michigan’s State Historic Preservation Office for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The historic house and grounds, built in 1927, was home William E. Scripps and his family, who was the son of James E. Scripps and the sole heir of the Detroit News empire.
The Norman revival mansion was designed by noted Detroit architect, and brother-in-law to Scripps, Clarence E. Day. Bryant Fleming, who was famous for his country estates in the early twentieth century, designed the gardens. The American craftsmanship utilized in the house’s metalwork, wood carving, stone sculpture, painted finishes, and stained glass (created by the studios of Detroit Stained Glass Works) is among the finest workmanship America had to offer. Many notable metalwork pieces by Oscar Bach, as well as some attributed to Samuel Yellin, are found on the site.
The National Register recognized the estate’s exemplary architecture and landscape design, and also considers the site significant because of its associations with William E. Scripps. In addition to being a noted publisher, he made his own significant contributions to American history. Scripps was a pioneer in early aviation, radio, and television. He co-founded the Scripps Booth Motor Car Company with his nephew James Scripps Booth, of Cranbrook, in the early twentieth century. Additionally, he was an early conservationist and established Wildwood Farm (part of the original estate, now Canterbury Village shops ), in part to return the land, depleted from over-farming, to its natural productivity.
Today, the Scripps Estate is owned by Guest House, Inc., and is currently used as a private residential substance abuse treatment program for women religious. The estate’s historic district boundaries include almost 60 acres of the over 100 owned by Guest House.
Leslie Pielack, of the Orion Historical Society, wrote the extensive nomination application with the support of Guest House and its CEO Daniel Kidd. It has taken over three years to complete the necessary research to meet the standards of the National Register. The property, while not widely known, is so important in the context of American history that it was recommended for designation at the national level of significance—the highest available. State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) National Register Coordinator, Robert Christensen, visited the site last year and cleared the way for the property’s consideration by the SHPO Review Board last month.
The listing award on the National Register is honorary. It does not provide funding for the ongoing maintenance of the property or the repair or restoration of the 80-year old house and grounds. Despite its well-preserved state, the needs for conserving and restoring some of the outstanding architectural ornamentation are very great.
Scripps Heritage Days: September 21-23
Since 2003, the Orion Historical Society has conducted public tours to help raise restoration funds to offset the high costs of preservation. A new non-profit group, the Friends of the William E. Scripps Estate, is being formed to spearhead continued, more ambitious fund-raising efforts.
One of its first endeavors will be to sponsor the dedication of a plaque commemorating the site’s national historic status during this year’s event, entitled “Scripps Heritage Days.”
The weekend festival, hosted by Guest House, will take place on the historic estate grounds Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, September 21, 22, and 23, and will include a special fund-raising pre-event Friday evening featuring Michigan chefs, wines, and Michigan jazz. Also included will be exclusive tours of the building and exhibits by local artists.
For a general admission fee on Saturday and Sunday, the public can take advantage of access to the beautiful grounds and view historic cars from the 1920s to the 1970s, as well as a range of additional scheduled program events and 1920s-era music. Performances on the mansion’s historic Aeolian organ will conclude each day’s events. Expanded tours of the house will be available for an additional fee. All proceeds will be used in the ongoing restoration and preservation of the estate.
Volunteer Opportunities at the Scripps Estate
The Orion Historical Society orionhistoricalsociety.org is currently accepting applications for tour docents and volunteers for Scripps Heritage Days. Contact Sara Van Portfliet at 248-693-4154 for details.
Guest House guesthouse.org, Inc., is also accepting volunteer applicants for this event and is available to answer other inquiries. Contact Kathy Schiffer at 248-391-4445.
For information on the Friends of the William E. Scripps Estate, or to make a donation contact Sue Turpen at 248-391-3713.
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Orion Historical Society, wrote the extensive nomination application with the support of Guest House and its CEO Daniel Kidd. It has taken over three years to complete the necessary research to meet the standards of the National Register. The property, while not widely known, is so important in the context of American history that it was recommended for designation at the national level of significance—the highest available. State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) National Register Coordinator, Robert Christensen, visited the site last year and cleared the way for the property’s consideration by the SHPO Review Board last month.
Sunday, September 21, 22, and 23, and will include a special fund-raising pre-event Friday evening featuring Michigan chefs, wines, and Michigan jazz. Also included will be exclusive tours of the building and exhibits by local artists.