“I seem to always get stopped in front of the Kempf House by the traffic light at Liberty and Division,” writes Wanda Dwyer about August’s I Spy location. “It looks exactly the same as it looked in 1965 when I started driving past it,” says Jane Hughes. “And I’m sure it looks the same as when it was built.”
Christine Alexander describes it as “a Greek Revival gem,” and Barb Tester notes, “the square columns and unique windows are signature attributes.” “Built in 1853 by [Ann Arbor postmaster] Henry Bennett,” shares David Karl, the house was sold in the 1890s to musicians and music teachers Reuben and Pauline Kempf. “Thankfully, the city of Ann Arbor purchased the home in 1969, to be used as a museum,” Tester says.
Joanne Coughlin says it was “easily recognizable after your clue”—midday music nearby. “Thursdays in the summertime find music lovers crowded around [adjacent] Liberty Plaza for the Sonic Lunch concert performances,” adds Tester. “The Kempf House Museum is an appropriate neighbor,” says Will Hathaway, “because the Kempf family nurtured a range of musical performances in Ann Arbor.” “I wonder if [the Kempfs] would approve of the raucous amplified music performed during Sonic Lunch?” quips A.J. Kydd.
We received 54 correct entries in August. Our random drawing winner is Joanne Coughlin, who will enjoy her $25 gift certificate at Mothfire Brewing Co.
Order The Fake Ad Book and I Spy: Ann Arbor Architecture at annarborobserver.com/books.
