In the Winter of 1996, as many winters before, an abandoned and dilapidated house sat alongside a well traveled road in a quaint village, situated between the bustling, university town of Ann Arbor and beautiful, traditional community of Plymouth, Michigan.
Winter 1996
It had remained vacant for the previous 12 – 15 years (according to neighbors and real estate agents) awaiting demolition to make way for a restaurant. In the meantime, wildlife made their nests in the quiet rooms, walls, ceiling and attic; living in a cozy and completely undisturbed environment.
Circa 1890's
One day, as fate would have it,
an unlocked door was opened into a dream of what could be.
Formerly known as the "Staffin-Shankland-Zeeb House"
While a simple introduction of “Country House And Garden” will suffice for all intents and purposes of this blog, there are others who have many wonderful stories to share; an elder who was surprised to see a lilac bush that he recalled his grandfather planting – still alive and in bloom, and another who recollected his boy scout meetings being held here in the ’50′s.
In 1979 Carol Freeman wrote of the settlement of the Village of Dixboro, and the history of many homes and families, including 5347 Plymouth Road.
In 2007, The Washtenaw County, Historic Preservation Program highlighted Plymouth Road – Ann Arbor Road, as it winds through Superior Township. The “Heritage Driving Tour”, featured the “Esek Pray Trail”, noting exceptional examples of Greek Revival architecture, nineteenth century residences, one-room schoolhouses and cemeteries.
5347 Plymouth Road
Winter, 1996 was the beginning of the renovation of 5347 Plymouth Road, but there is no end … no particular date of completion. Sixteen years later, “Country House and Garden” has become a lifestyle, a labor of love that many of you experience. With each stack of lumber, gallon of paint, shrub planted, project completed and new one started; enthusiasm, enjoyment and gratitude continues to be the theme.
Country home, city home, old home, new home; creating a lifestyle is what we all have in common. “Country House And Garden” is a place to share ideas, tools and techniques that, hopefully, help each other make each small (or big) task a just a little bit easier; all the while thoroughly enjoying the process, and the company. We hope you’ll check in often. We’ll be here when you do!
Winter 2012
