Preservationists continue to save history on North Manitou Island

By F. Josephine Arrowood
Sun contributor

As the Annual Port Oneida Fair draws near on August 12-13, showcasing the fine cultural and physical preservation efforts in the picturesque Rural Historic District of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the dedicated volunteers of Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear (PHSB) are preparing for another annual ritual. On August 19-28, they will launch a third year of restoration and stabilization projects at North Manitou Island’s historic “Cottage Row,” a group of early 20th century dwellings that were built for and occupied by long-ago summer residents and visitors.

David Watt of Glen Arbor is in his second year as project manager, following Len Allgaier, “who is much more talented than I,” says the affable volunteer and board member of PHSB. He describes the group’s multipronged efforts on the island as “dramatic, visible, beautiful,” especially the restoration-in-progress of the 1895 Katie Shepard Hotel, which had suffered from decades of abuse by wild animals and weather before PHSB’s ministrations began in earnest in 2009.

“I love working with the volunteers … bringing out the best in them,” says the retired teacher, recruited by PHSB Executive Director Susan Pocklington, who was aware of his interest in wood working. Little did he dream of the extent to which he would become involved with the group, and the rewards have been well worth the efforts of working with so many “great people: helpful, cooperative.”

“This year, we’ll finish sealing the building against bird and bat entry,” he says. “We’ll clear up some vegetation from the building going down to the lake,” to open up the original views, a reminder that historical preservation must also encompass the landscape, as well as structures.

“Some rocks between the foundation rocks and the perimeter porch are missing; we’re looking for a stone mason to do that,” about two days’ work, he estimates. “We also have a chimney, if he really gets going!” he jokes, though in truth, the nonprofit PHSB must scale each summer’s efforts to their carefully honed budget. There is always more work that the group would love to tackle.

”We have as much work as people have time for,” he acknowledges, including scraping old paint (by lead-paint certified workers from the Traverse City-based environmental nonprofit group SEEDS), priming, and hopefully painting porches on the Foote and Wing cottages. Other projects involve replacing shutter boards, replicating at least one shutter, reglazing windows, and installing flashing and siding around roof dormers on the Shepard.

One exciting development is the near-certainty that “Monte Carlo” on Cottage Row, built for the Blossom family, was designed by a young Frank Lloyd Wright; the 1982-3 Blossom home in Chicago is among Wright’s earliest known works.

PHSB had been set to begin stabilization and preservation work on Monte Carlo this summer, but after more research, realized that they don’t yet have enough information to decide which “moment” in history tells the defining story of the cottage. Watt points out that, like many works with historic significance, interpretation must combine both art and science.

“Shortly after this cottage was built, it was modified — like most every cottage, people added on to fit their lifestyles: bedrooms, a kitchen and toilet, porches on three sides. Because of the care that’s required, how do you address the issues” of a structure created by, arguably, the most pivotal architectural icon of the 20th century?

Pocklington emphasizes, “We want to do it right, and we pride ourselves on retaining the historic integrity of the structures we work on. In the broad historical context, [the fact that it was designed by] Frank Lloyd Wright might be the most important story. But because history included this addition, we want to discuss the findings of research done this summer by (NMI project volunteer and historic preservationist) Tom Whitaker of Ann Arbor, and photos, to determine the appropriate restoration.” She estimates that the complete restoration of Monte Carlo will cost about $60,000, and encourages anyone interested in Wright, or historic preservation in general, to contribute at the PHSB website (www.phsb.org).

A special chartered day trip to North Manitou on August 23, organized by the Leelanau Historical Society, and including tours of the volunteers’ works-in-progress, has sold out, but the Manitou Island Transit sails daily from Leland, and rustic campsites are available through the National Park Service (note that the ferry only stops once daily at North Manitou, so sleeping and supply arrangements are a must for visitors).

Whether structures within the embrace of PHSB’s stewardship were designed by a famous architect, or lovingly crafted by humble farm families that lived and worked the land for generations, the group continues to advocate for their preservation, and in some cases, adaptive reuse Watt says, “We sometimes feel invisible,” and invites the public to, “Come out, see what we’re all about — the history, the anecdotes — appreciate what we’re doing,” as he himself appreciates and enjoys these cultural landscapes of bygone times … to keep the history alive.

He speaks longingly of his desire to see the Katie Shepard Hotel fully restored, both inside and out, and available once again for overnight guests to enjoy the island’s natural amenities and explore its rich historical landscapes.

“We’re pleading with the Park, trying to raise their interest that it becomes more than … just a nice idea. As a partner in the Park, we can invite and encourage. They have other things they’re working on; we respect that. But others have done it, such as the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone, so we know it can be done.”

He enthuses, “Right now, nobody gets to see the inside — which is neat! I’d love to see it in use,” thereby continuing the ultimate mission of Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear: “Saving the history — telling the story” for generations to come.