Downtown Muskegon Blog

Behind the Scenes - Downtown Homes On Parade

Downtown Muskegon has some wonderful living options, and the Nelson Neighborhood Improvement Association has been successfully introducing those options to almost 1000 regional visitors the last two years through their Holiday Heritage Home Tour. This year’s tour will take place December 8 and will feature nine downtown homes. Marcia Hovey-Wright, a neighborhood resident who lives in the JJ Howden Home on Webster Ave, helped get the tour off of the ground and provided some insight into this upcoming event.

MS: What got you fired up to get this tour started?

MHW: After my husband and I moved downtown Muskegon in 2002 we fell in love with the downtown experience and felt that not enough was being done to make people aware of the opportunities downtown Muskegon. I got involved in a number of efforts to promote downtown living, but this home tour has really been an idea that has “stuck” and has had an amazing impact in opening people’s eyes to downtown living.

MS: What has been the reaction of past visitors on the tour?

MHW: Both years we have had numerous visitors from within an hours drive of downtown Muskegon. Almost universally the reaction has been that they never knew that Muskegon had such an impressive stock of historic homes. I think it part of a longer held perception of Muskegon as a foundry town, but when they arrive they are amazed by the homes within easy walking distance of a beautiful Muskegon Lake that are in great condition, many over 100 years old.

MS: Is there anything new about this year’s tour?

MHW: Two wrinkles have been added to the tour this year, both solidifying our event’s tie to the revitalization happening downtown Muskegon. First, we have matched up some of our homes with some of our up and coming Muskegon retailers. The Panyard House which was moved to Muskegon Avenue will be featuring furnishings loaned by Hegg Gallery of Fine Furniture. Other retailers such as Jilly’s, Sun, Wind, & Rain, Wasserman’s, Mia Cake Originals, Glamazon, Clay Avenue Cellars and others will be participating. Another new twist is that representatives from Heritage Square Townhomes and HighPoint Flats, two new downtown living projects will be on hand to explain their new downtown living opportunities.

MS: How do you feel about living downtown and how is that experience changing? How do you see the future of downtown living?

MHW: My husband and I love the fact that we are close to all the action, such as an amazing array of cultural events, still within the context of a close knit neighborhood where neighbors know each other by virtue of the classic neighborhood design. And it keeps getting better for a number of reasons; including the turn back of Muskegon and Webster to residential streets, and the downtown revitalization that is bringing increasing retail and other entertainment experiences to our doorstep.

MS: What other logistical items do folks need to be aware of concerning the tour?

MHW: The tour begins at noon, and runs till 5:00 p.m., and all guests must begin the tour at the Union Depot at 610 W. Western Avenue (the Visitors Bureau) where they can purchase tickets, and will receive a program and map of the participating homes. Eager beavers can purchase tickets at the Frauenthal Box Office, Pitkin Drug Shoppe, or Keefe’s Pharmacy in the days leading up to the tour.

MS: More people living downtown is recognized by all as an important component in increasing the vibrancy of downtown so we thank you for your efforts to promote the concept to the greater Muskegon area.

MHW: You are most welcome. Actually working on the tour is a lot of fun and we get a lot of satisfaction from helping to promote downtown living.

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Holiday Heritage Home Tour information

posted by Dan & Sarah @ 1:22 PM