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The Past for the Future
A Simple Way to Give a Legacy
Gift to the Society
“I give, devise, and bequeath the sum
of $____________ (or _______% percent) of my net
estate, as finally determined for estate tax purposes,
to the Grosse Pointe Historical Society (GPHS),
a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization located in Grosse
Pointe Farms, Michigan, to be used in furtherance
of its charitable purposes.”
We are indebted to our donors who have included
the Grosse Pointe Historical Society in their wills
or trusts. Insurance policies, IRAs, or annuities are
an easy way to leave money to the Society. Future
residents of Grosse Pointe will benefit tremendously
from these thoughtful gifts to continue to preserve
our heritage.
If you would like to leave a restricted gift or would
like to discuss other gift planning ideas, please
call the Society at (313) 884-7010.
Former Jewett Mansion to Host Society’s 60th
Anniversary Celebration
continued from front page
Their three girls, 15-year-old Emily and 14-year-old
twins, Roberta and Marjorie, have grown up in the
rambling house. “It is an amazing home to raise a
family in,” Liggett said. “They loved the attic play-
room when they were younger because it has lots of
nooks and crannies to store their stuff in. And they
would sit in the windows and look out over the lake
while they were reading or doing their homework.”
Along with its architectural interest, the house is full
of history. The earliest record of the property dates
back to 1811 when Francois Ambroise Tremble was
granted the land, then over 61 acres, by U.S.
President James Madison. In 1876, the land was pur-
chased by James M. Fisher (after a number of previ-
ous sales) and in 1884, sold to William B. Moran,
who deeded it to John V. Moran. It was used as a
dairy cattle and horse farm. Harry Jewett bought the
Moran property in 1907.
Jewett, a prosperous civil engineer who became pres-
ident of the Paige-Detroit Motor Co. raised his family
there. The home has been the residence of several
other prominent families including Charles and
Blanche Campbell, the Alfred W. Cytackis, and the
Frederick S. Fords, and R.P. and Mary Lee Marshall
Scherer, Jr.
Asked if there were any legends attached to the
house, Liggett said that, although Harry Jewett died
there in 1933, his spirit has remained quiet all these
years. There is the story of a bootlegging operation
that took place in an underground holding tank in
the backyard. Sources can’t confirm or deny the
validity of that report, however.
In 1982, the Junior League of Detroit chose the
house for their Designer Show House. It is the recipi-
ent of a Grosse Pointe Historical Society Historical
Markers. The house has also been featured on HGTV.
Editors note: most of the information about this
house was obtained at the Grosse Pointe Historical
Society’s Resource Center. Anyone interested in the
history of their own house can contact the Resource
Center at 884-7010 for details on how to conduct
their own research.
6
His Finest Hour
“Sir Winston Churchill” spoke to a full house at the
Dr. Frank Bicknell Educational Lecture last November.
History buffs filled the Fries Auditorium at the Grosse
Pointe War Memorial to hear actor-playwright Mark
MacPherson bring the legendary statesman to life.