FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: January 11, 2013
CONTACT: Nancy Finegood, Executive Director
PHONE: (517) 371-8080
E-MAIL: finegood@mhpn.org
WEB: www.mhpn.org
_______________________________________
The owners of two properties in Marshall, Michigan’s National Historic Landmark district
have donated historic preservation easements on their homes to protect the homes
from inappropriate changes or demolition.
Keith and Sandra Mengel and Marilyn W. Burke have chosen to preserve their historic
homes forever by donating preservation easements to the Michigan Historic
Preservation Network (MHPN). A preservation easement is a legal instrument between
a property owner and the MHPN that establishes perpetual protection for the property.
The easement prevents inappropriate changes from being made to the historically
significant structure. An easement gives the MHPN the ability to work with current and
future owners of a historic property to safeguard its historic character, architecture,
materials, and significance. Owners of an easement property retain actual ownership of
the property and are legally obligated to honor the terms of the easement. Easement
donors make a gift to current and future generations when they voluntarily place
perpetual restrictions on their historic property.
The Burke residence, located at 224 N Division St., was built in 1856 by laborer
Frederick Meyers. This home has one of only two original gothic revival porches in
Marshall today according to Susan Collins, author of the successful 1991 National
Historic Landmark district nomination for Marshall. The visual aspect of this porch is
quite striking and establishes a strong corner lot presence in the historic district. The
home remains a single-family dwelling owned by Marilyn W. Burke.
The Mengel residence, at 216 N. Division St., was built in 1886. The property owner at
that time, E. J. Kirby, designed the house’s interior plan and the exterior was designed
by architect Frederick H. Spier. Spier was a member of Spier & Rohns architectural firm
in Detroit and became known for designing all of the principal stations on the Michigan
Central and Grand Trunk Railroad lines. He also designed prominent buildings on the
University of Michigan campus and numerous churches in Ann Arbor and Detroit. This
home is one of very few documented residential structures attributed to Mr. Spier. The
home remains a single-family dwelling owned by Keith and Sandra Mengel.
Marshall’s National Historic Landmark district is one of the largest of its type in the
country.
--MORE--
About the Michigan Historic Preservation Network (MHPN)
The MHPN is the only state-wide nonprofit organization fighting for the preservation of
Michigan’s cultural, architectural, and historic patrimony. We fight for the places that
matter to the people of Michigan – the buildings that make our communities interesting,
authentic and vibrant places to live and work and that connect us to our history.
In its 31 year history, MHPN has led the effort to strengthen the Local Historic District
Act [P.A. 169 of 1970 (as amended)]; has worked to establish a Michigan Historic Tax
Credit, then had the sunset clause of the act lifted, and finally fought diligently to protect
the credit. MHPN has hosted an educational conference every year since it was
founded – moving it across to state to reach more and more people each year. For
more information about MHPN, please visit our website at: www.mhpn.org.
###