OK, so residential historic preservation is not your thing. We get it.
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"History is bunk!" -- attributed to Henry Ford.
Being a history nut myself, I certainly disagree, but there are many folks who would agree with Hank the Ace.
"Bunkie is history!" -- attributed to Henry Ford II
Why does every thread on this forum become a heated argument?
Albert Kahn was a prolific Detroit architect. Whether he designed every single landmark in Detroit, which would have been odd, or not doesn’t matter. He is well known. He was innovative and a notable Detroiter. Why do those of you against putting a marker up outside his house to honor him feel so strongly on the subject? Why does it matter so much if a plaque is placed honoring a notable life for passersby to see?
It’s definitely time Detroit begins to boast about the accomplishments that have been done within its borders. I see nothing wrong with enlightening a passing pedestrian on the history of the owner of 208 Mack.
I have a problem with marking any house, no matter where it is worldwide if nothing any more significant than a birth took place there.
Britain has small, unobtrusive blue plaques that indicate that something happened in a building - Albert Kahn lived here, Edgar Guest made the first rhyme with orange. Those might be nice.
At the risk of repeating myself:
Though no "birth" took place at 208 Mack, it is historically significant both due to its construction techniques and it being the source of inspiration to a architectural artist, particularly its garden [[which I'm wondering if that can be restored as well).
Thousands of residences are considered historically significant in this country, both at the state and national levels. Isn't the Montecello significant? Mt. Vernon? Hearst Castle? A home need not be so opulent to be of historical significance. Henry Ford's first home is rather modest.
When I hear back from AIA Detroit, I will let all of you know about that.
You are spinning your wheels, the house already has an historic listing. 208 Mack Avenue is a contributing building to the Brush Park Historic District. The District is on both the National and City registers. The marker in front of 208 has absolutely nothing to with the house but the current occupants of the residence. Now National Landmark status could be conveyed to the house. Also I would be very surprised if the AIA lifted a finger to help out.