Palmer Woods, long known as one of Detroit’s most desirable and historic neighborhoods, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year with a broad array of public events in the community designed to appeal to as diverse an audience as the residents who live there.
“Palmer Woods has a special place in Detroit’s history and has always been known as one of the city’s most beautiful neighborhoods,” said Palmer Woods Association President Craig Vanderberg. “We encourage residents from all over to join us for the centennial festivities.”
The Palmer Woods subdivision is nestled west of Woodward Avenue and north of Seven Mile Road. There are more than 300 homes, many of which were designed by internationally-known architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Minoru Yamasaki, and Maginnis & Walsh.
Many of Detroit’s most talented architects are also represented, including Alvin E. Harley, Clarence E. Day, Richard H. Marr, William Kuni, J. Ivan Dise, C. Howard Crane, Albert Kahn, Herbert and Frances Schmitz, and the firms of Pollmar & Ropes, and Bazter, O’Dell & Halpin.
The 188 acres of land that is now Palmer Woods were sold to developer Charles W. Burton in 1915 by the family of Senator Thomas Palmer to create a residential subdivision. Palmer also donated more than 100 acres of farmland to the City of Detroit in 1883 for the area now known as Palmer Park.
At one time, Palmer Woods was home to many of Detroit’s captains of industry, including the Fisher, Van Dusen, Sanders and Briggs families. Some of the city’s top professionals currently live in the neighborhood, including University of Detroit Mercy President Antoine Garibaldi, and Wayne Brown, president and CEO of the Michigan Opera Theatre. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan made the neighborhood his home before moving to the Manoogian Mansion.
The Palmer Woods 100th Anniversary public events include:
- Home & Garden Soiree, Friday July 17, 6 – 9 p.m.: Enjoy a strolling supper and a tour of a
spectacular Palmer Woods home. Tickets are $75 and include July 18 Garden Tour.
- Centennial Garden Tour, Saturday, July 18, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Tour several of the finest gardens in Palmer Woods. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 on tour day.
- 5K Race, Saturday, September 12: The run/walk begins at Palmer Park and goes through the Palmer Woods neighborhood, ending at Lincolnshire Park. Includes a special race for children.
- Centennial Gala, Saturday, Sept. 19: Gala dinner at the Detroit Golf Club for all Palmer Woods past and current residents and guests.
- Holiday Home Tour, Saturday, Dec. 5: Tour of holiday decorated homes, including a Designer Showcase House.
For more information on the history of Palmer Woods and the centennial celebration events, visit www.palmerwoods.org.
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