GRAND RAPIDS (Detroit Free Press) -- I THINK YOU MEAN "MEIJER?" No. Meyer May was a Grand Rapids clothier who, with his wife, Sophie, commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright to design a home for them in 1908.
WHY IS THIS HOUSE SPECIAL? This was Wright's first major commission in Michigan and a great example of one of his Prairie-style houses. Its restoration was extensive and includes many of the original furnishings that Wright designed, according to Don Dekker, the Meyer May House manager. The home, which features about 3,600 square feet of living space, is set up now to look like it would when a family lived there in the 1910s.
WHAT WILL I SEE ON THE TOUR? You'll be able to check out the open floor plan on the first floor as well as bedrooms and bathrooms for the family and staff on the second floor. When the weather is good, the visit also includes commentary about the landscaping, which he designed, too, underscoring his philosophy that a structure should complement the site its built on.
WHAT'S THE HISTORY OF THE MEYER MAY HOUSE? It was completed in 1909, though Wright's associate George Niedecken added some finishing touches to the interior the following year. Osgood & Osgood built an addition in 1922, five years after Sophie May died. Meyer May died in 1936. The house had two other owners before Steelcase bought it 1985 and restored it to the original design. The house opened to the public in 1987.
IS THE 1922 ADDITION STILL THERE? No, it was dismantled.
WHEN ARE TOURS OFFERED? They're 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday, with the last tour starting an hour before closing. Each 75-minute tour is given by a docent, who underwent at least 18 hours of training. The house is closed on federal holidays. Reservations are required only if your group has more than 10 people. Children are welcome.
HOW MUCH DOES A TOUR COST? It's free.
SPEAKING OF COST, HOW MUCH DID THE MAYS SPEND ON THE HOUSE? The land, home and furniture cost $34,000.
I'M NOT ABLE TO MAKE IT TO GRAND RAPIDS. No problem. You can check out the Heritage Hill historic district gem by taking an online tour at http://meyermayhouse.steelcase.com/house.
FOR INFORMATION: Call 616-246-4821.
Contact Zlati Meyer: 313-223-4439 or zmeyer@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @ZlatiMeyer.
