Tom and Diane Schoenith's Lakeland Road home will be open to the public for the first time in 30 years June 24, when the couple host the Grosse Pointe Historical Society's summer fundraiser.
Grosse Pointe Historical Society sets
'La Fête d’Eté' at the Schoeniths
The public will get a rare chance to visit one of the Pointes' most beautiful homes later this month when Tom and Diane Schoenith host the Grosse Pointe Historical Society’s annual summer fundraiser.
“We haven’t opened our house to the public for 30 years, and we’ve been here for about 35 years. We mostly entertain at the Roostertail,” Tom Schoenith said. The couple own that Detroit riverfront institution.
This summer, however, the Schoeniths will be hosts of La Fête d’Eté – "the summer party" – set for June 24 at 7 p.m. in their French-inspired manor home on Lakeland Road in the City.
The entire backyard will be tented for rain-or-shine festivities. Guests will be served a strolling supper in the garden, prepared by Chef Dave of the Roostertail. Inside, each room will have a different theme along with themed refreshments. Chef Dave has planned a menu that includes fig-stuffed roasted beef tenderloin, pan-seared ahi tuna, poached quail egg and pomegranate-glazed squab, among other choices.
Entertainment will feature Jack McCormick playing the grand piano inside, while the Saline Big Band, an 18-piece orchestra specializing in swing, Latin and pop ballads, will entertain outside in the garden.
A new feature is designed to attract a younger crowd to the fundraiser. A specially priced ticket will be available for dessert and dancing only, starting at 9 p.m. A 1970s-inspired disco will be set up for this part of the evening.
The Schoenith home, built in 1924, is reminiscent of a belle-époque Paris home. Architects Crombie and Stanton designed the home for the Ballantyne family. It was also home to the H.M. Campbell, Jr. family for 25 years.
“Traditionally, we always had a historically interesting and architectural house (for the fundraiser). The Schoenith house has an interesting history, and they said yes to having about 300 to 400 people at their home,” said Susan Hartz, president of the Grosse Pointe Historical Society.
The home's interior is as striking as its exterior.
“We have six fireplaces!” Schoenith said.
Inside is what Schoenith calls “the Adventures Club Room,” actually six separate rooms filled with art objects from around the world.
The home has been carefully preserved and restored over the years. The plaster, woodwork and bronze hardware throughout the home have been treated with extreme care. One historical highlight is a stained glass window depicting the Le Griffon (The Griffin), the ship that led French explorers to discover Lake St. Clair in 1679.
Funds raised at La Fête d’Eté will be used to support the programs, activities and initiatives of the Grosse Pointe Historical Society.
Tickets are limited. For reservations or more information, contact the Grosse Pointe Historical Society at 313-884-7010 or visit their website.
- Login or register to post comments
- Printer-friendly version
- Send by email
Contact us
Ben Burns
e-mail Ben or call 313.882.2810
Nancy Nall Derringer
e-mail Nancy or call 313.417.0122
Sheila Young Tomkowiak
e-mail Sheila or call 313.881.1734
CONTRIBUTORS:
Click on the link below for a complete list of contributors and their contact information.
Follow us
Contribute
Advertise
Contact Sheila Tomkowiak
313-881-1734 or sheila@grossepointetoday.com
Contribute
Advertise
Contact Sheila Tomkowiak
313-881-1734 or sheila@grossepointetoday.com
Become a GrossePointeToday sponsor
Your tax-deductable contribution will help us better serve the Grosse Pointes. Make a charitable gift of $1,000 and become an Honorary Publisher, $500 and become an Honorary Editor, or $100 and become an Honorary Reporter. You'll be invited to our annual forum to discuss how to make GrossePointeToday.com a more vital news and information source.
Your tax-deductable contribution will help us better serve the Grosse Pointes. Make a charitable gift of $1,000 and become an Honorary Publisher, $500 and become an Honorary Editor, or $100 and become an Honorary Reporter. You'll be invited to our annual forum to discuss how to make GrossePointeToday.com a more vital news and information source.
© 2009-2012 GrossePointeToday.com, a 501c3 organization
Comments
historical error
"Architects Crombie and Stanton designed the home for the Ballantyne family. It was also home to the H.M. Campbell, Jr. family for 25 years."
I have researched this home extensively, and this information was misprinted on the party invitation. The home was indeed built in 1924 by Crombie & Stanton but for the father of H.M. Campbell. The home was in their family for the first 25 years. The Ballantyne family did live in the home, but it was not built for them.
Interestingly, J.V. Campbell (who was H.M. Campbell's grandfather) sat on the Michigan Supreme Court. He was present at the Second Centennial celebrating the naming of Lake St. Clair in 1879. The event was attended by all of Grosse Pointe's biggest names. It is very likely his love for the history of Grosse Pointe that would have inspired his family to pay homage to The Griffin when they built the home.
Regards,
Elizabeth Vogel
Lakeland House
The House on Lakeland was built for Mr. and Mrs. Henry Munroe Campbell. According to family history, Henry Munroe Campbell never occupied the house but his widow did. Henry Munroe Campbell died March 16, 1926 and was the eldest son of James Valentine Campbell, Michigan Supreme Court Justice. Henry Munroe Campbell was a founding member of the present day firm Dickinson Wright and was the Chairman of the Board of Union Trust. He is buried at Elmwood Historic Cemetery where he was President of the Board of Directors. Mrs. Henry Munroe Campbell, Caroline Burtenshaw Campbell, continued to live in the house for aprroximately twenty five years until her death. Their two children were Henry Munroe Campbell, Jr. of Lake Court and Douglas Cambell, Sr. of Rathbone Place.....hope this helps and sorry to miss the party.