BASEBALL BATHROOM DECOR

The Felt Mansion grounds in the midst of land redevelopment. In 2003 when the township decided to go ahead with this restoration projects, many dedicated volunteers who gave much extraordinary time and labor toward restoration efforts and have ever since with their love of this magical, mystical, and breathtalking place.

In the beginning, my rugged father and Mr. Roger Vander Velden began the enormous task of clearing out decades long growth of overgrown bushes, trees, and brush that were never planted on the grounds when this incredible place was built. In the early years, just after it was built, the grounds were covered with beautiful grass and landscaped foliage. There is also a large stone fountain and cement stair steps winding down the hill toward the carriage house and tennis court. The grounds are now, once again, near its former glory, thanks to the early volunteers, such as Mr. Vander Velden, (a lovely human being) became a great friend to my father. Roger's enthusiasm was admirable and his contributions were enormous. In is '80's, he was still a vibrant man. To our great regret, he succumbed rather quickly to cancer in 2004. A plaque was put in place to recognize Roger and his work. Along with many other people, including kids from the local Black River School, assisted them (a GREAT deal) clear out sections of overgrown trees and wild brush. Along with my father and Roger, they cut up countless unattractive trees and brush and removed it from the premises. The also did the enormous task of carrying and construction the rock wall lining the hill (can be seen here). Dad supervised the clearing effort, and along with his friends and crew, paved the way for further detailed landscaping that resulted in with beautiful grounds that are there today. After his work was finished, he departed as a volunteer, due to a conflict of interest with the administration director (whew, she's another story). Others were chosen by the administrator of the project to carry on with the finishing touches. I must say, as nice as the grounds look, they could look better; I believe there is room for improvement. Prior to the clearing effort, the front of the mansion was completely blocked from view. As a result of the blockage, many people, throughout the decades, thought that the back of the structure was actually the front, as this was the only visible area. Now, when you drive up the entrance road, this appears on the horizon. It was not visible before, in the least.

I feel compelled to give tribute to my father's enormous efforts and give him and reiterate the recognition they deserve. This took many hard working man ours to accomplish, which he did on many scorching days in the sun. There are many volunteers who have toiled and spent many hours to restore this beautiful place, who also deserve more recognition.

Many different volunteers have redecorated many of the countless rooms, restoring walls, ceilings, fire place mantles, woodwork, and more. These make the interior look just right and as lovely as it once was. Incidentally, the four bathrooms still retain the original Art Deco era tile, flooring and fixtures none of which have ever been altered. The rooms that were left untouched are amazing. The third story is a ballroom. I also have pictures, on my stream of an old and very large water well that was built on a wooded dune are in the nearby Saugatuck Dunes state Park. I have pictures of this on my stream.

Many different, well intentioned people decorated many of the empty rooms and although well done, do not look authentic. However, even the overall project manager, allowe this and does not a have full understanding on how these rooms (not all) could be professionally restored, in such a manner that the designs and furnishings should match the original architecture and interior. I should not be critical, I suppose, but I am am passionate about accurate renovation of structures, inside and out. I do realize that the volunteers who were chosen to decorate various rooms, gave much time and money in executing their visions of what these rooms should look like. I guess it is enough that these have been spruced up; details can always be changed by knowledgeable period experts, sometime in the future. That is if anyone in control of the future funding budget, can realize the importance of keeping landmarks authentic.

So this house, standing alone, near the Saugatuc State Park, is the stunning legacy of Mr Dorr. E Felt . He spared no expense on this magnificent retreat. This building was used for a number of purposes over the years before the state of Michigan obtained the property from the previous owners and occupants.

The mansion and grounds were originally purchased from the Felt children and became the property of the Western Theological Seminary, who used it for many years. They erected a large building on the grounds to use for the Catholic school. The house was a residence used to house the nuns.

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The Felt Mansion grounds in the midst of land redevelopment. In 2003 when the township decided to go ahead with this restoration projects, many dedicated volunteers who gave much extraordinary time and labor toward restoration efforts and have ever since with their love of this magical, mystical, and breathtalking place.

In the beginning, my rugged father and Mr. Roger Vander Velden began the enormous task of clearing out decades long growth of overgrown bushes, trees, and brush that were never planted on the grounds when this incredible place was built. In the early years, just after it was built, the grounds were covered with beautiful grass and landscaped foliage. There is also a large stone fountain and cement stair steps winding down the hill toward the carriage house and tennis court. The grounds are now, once again, near its former glory, thanks to the early volunteers, such as Mr. Vander Velden, (a lovely human being) became a great friend to my father. Roger's enthusiasm was admirable and his contributions were enormous. In is '80's, he was still a vibrant man, but, to our great regret, he succumbed rather quickly to cancer in 2004. A plaque was put in place to recognize Roger and his work. Along with many other people, including kids from the local Black River School, assisted them (a GREAT deal) clear out sections of overgrown trees and wild brush. Along with my father and Roger, they cut up countless unattractive trees and brush and removed it from the premises. The also did the enormous task of carrying and construction the rock wall lining the hill (can be seen here). Dad supervised the clearing effort, and along with his friends and crew, paved the way for further detailed landscaping that resulted in with beautiful grounds that are there today. After his work was finished, he departed as a volunteer, due to a conflict of interest with the administration director (whew, she's another story). Others were chosen by the administrator of the project to carry on with the finishing touches. I must say, as nice as the grounds look, they could look better; I believe there is room for improvement. Prior to the clearing effort, the front of the mansion was completely blocked from view. As a result of the blockage, many people, throughout the decades, thought that the back of the structure was actually the front, as this was the only visible area. Now, when you drive up the entrance road, this appears on the horizon. It was not visible before, in the least.

I feel compelled to give tribute to my father's enormous efforts and give him and reiterate the recognition they deserve. This took many hard working man ours to accomplish, which he did on many scorching days in the sun. There are many volunteers who have toiled and spent many hours to restore this beautiful place, who also deserve more recognition.

Many different volunteers have redecorated many of the countless rooms, restoring walls, ceilings, fire place mantles, woodwork, and more. These make the interior look just right and as lovely as it once was. Incidentally, the four bathrooms still retain the original Art Deco era tile, flooring and fixtures none of which have ever been altered. The rooms that were left untouched are amazing. The third story is a ballroom. I also have pictures, on my stream of an old and very large water well that was built on a wooded dune are in the nearby Saugatuck Dunes state Park. I have pictures of this on my stream.

Many different, well intentioned people decorated many of the empty rooms and although well done, do not look authentic. However, even the overall project manager, allowe this and does not a have full understanding on how these rooms (not all) could be professionally restored, in such a manner that the designs and furnishings should match the original architecture and interior. I should not be critical, I suppose, but I am am passionate about accurate renovation of structures, inside and out. I do realize that the volunteers who were chosen to decorate various rooms, gave much time and money in executing their visions of what these rooms should look like. I guess it is enough that these have been spruced up; details can always be changed by knowledgeable period experts, sometime in the future. That is if anyone in control of the future funding budget, can realize the importance of keeping landmarks authentic.

So this house, standing alone, near the Saugatuc State Park, is the stunning legacy of Mr Dorr. E Felt . He spared no expense on this magnificent retreat. This building was used for a number of purposes over the years before the state of Michigan obtained the property from the previous owners and occupants.

The mansion and grounds were originally purchased from the Felt children and became the property of the Western Theological Seminary, who used it for many years. They erected a large building on the grounds to use for the Catholic school. The house was a residence used to house the nuns.