Touring Muskegon

Thursday was a great day with the cousins! They met us bright and early at the boat and we set off to see the sights of Muskegon.

We went to Historic Union Depot, now the visitor's center, and walked through a garden across the street. We were waiting for the Hackley & Hume Historic Site to open.

Historically, Muskegon was a big lumber center. Two of the biggest lumber barons were Charles Hackley and Thomas Hume. Their houses are next to each other in downtown Muskegon and have been largely restored to their original glory. This was a day of fabulous architectural details. Hume's house was designed to be very cutting edge and modern for the time. Hackley's house was designed to be quite definitely Victorian - old fashioned, but very well-done and ornate. Hume had a house full of children - some came back with their own children. Hackley had two adopted children eventually.

The docent for our tour was amazing. She knew the family histories of both families, all of the innovations and craftsmen who worked on the houses, and how the houses had been restored. It was a very lengthy and meticulous process, most of which has been paid for by an added sales tax for the county. There are still projects waiting, and she told us about those as well. I took way too many photos!

After our tour, we went to the Culinary Institute of Michigan for lunch. How do we get so lucky to find these wonderful places? The food was great and we tried out some Dragonsmead - an artisan ale. After all this fun, I needed a nap!

We went over to visit the cousins at Bob and Carol's house (Rich joined us too!). They have a great house on a beautiful piece of land, planted with apple trees, plum trees, peach trees and raspberry bushes. Yum! While we were sitting in the kitchen, hummingbirds were visiting Carol's rose of sharon and goldfinches were stopping by the bird feeder. I also caught a squirrel on another feeder making himself quite at home. I saw a little chipmunk come out for a bite, but it didn't stay long enough to me to get a photo.

It has been great seeing them again. Both Bob and Rich have lived in Savannah, but that's been a while and we haven't seen them in a long time. They were very kind to spend so much time on us and let us use their car. Hopefully we will see them again in Savannah sometime. Or Steve and I may keep "looping" and come around again....

I just love gardens! Especially when I don't have to weed them!

Steve, Carol and Bob

Historic Union Depot

Beautiful stonework

Inside the depot

Cousin Rich arriving for the sightseeing

This house was Thomas Hume's

This is the barn that serves both houses. Note the tops on the turrets: the cone-shaped one is on the Hume side, the onion-shaped one is on the Hackley side. Somehow the architect made it work!

This is Charles Hackley's house

There is a key-hole theme that runs throughout the design, inside and out.

Going into the Hume house

This is the room of the coachman over the barn. He was a musician.

The woodwork is gorgeous - but relatively simple after you see the Hackley house.

Mr. Hume's study - meant to be shared with the family

They found a sample of the original wallpaper and had it reproduced.

A child's baby grand

Very modern bathroom for the times

And now to the Hackley house

The ceilings are carved and stenciled throughout

There is beautiful stained glass throughout the house.

And carving - lots of carving

I especially liked the bat.

This is a latch in the servant's area

The hinges in the dining room

Lunch at the Culinary Institute with Bob and Carol. Sorry, Carol - I should have taken two shots!

And cousin Rich - I couldn't get all three in one shot.

Bob and Carol's orchard

Carol's garden

Lots of raspberry bushes on the left.

Look close. There's a busy squirrel on the feeder.

A little chickadee

This goldfinch gave me a hard time. Every time I would get the camera focused, he would fly away.

Got him again! Persistence pays off.