Chronology:
1908 - Frank Lloyd Wright is commissioned by Meyer S. May, a prominent Grand Rapids clothier, and his wife Sophie Amberg to design the house. Constructions begins later in the year.
1909 - Construction of the outside of the house is complete.
1910 - The interior is finished by George Niedeken, Wright's Milwaukee based associate, who was also a talented decorative painter and executed the mural in the dining room.
1914 - Harriet May is adopted.
1916 - Richard May is adopted.
1917 - George Niedeken returns to further add decorative items.
December 10, 1917 - Sophie May dies of influenza at the age of 38.
1921 - Meyer May marries Rae Stern, a Chicago widow with 2 children.
1922 - A major alteration of the house is made by Osgood & Osgood. Two bedrooms were added upstairs, as were servants' quarters on the ground floor.
1929 - Meyer May and Rae divorced.
November 7, 1936 - At the age of 65 Meyer May died. The house remained empty for six years.
1942 - The Charles Helmer family purchases the house. The remaining Wright designed furniture is included in the sale.
1945 - The Newcomb family buys the home. Carports and additional entrances were added, and the bedroom additions were rented out.
1965 - Charles Newcomb dies at age 91. Mrs. Newcomb rents apartments in the 1922 addition.
1971 - The Heritage Hill Historic District is placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
1973 - The City of Grand Rapids passes the preservation ordinance protecting the Heritage Hill Historic District from destruction.
1985 - Steelcase purchased the home and extensive restoration research begins.
1986 - Restoration to he original design is underway. The Meyer May House was placed on the Michigan State Register of Historic Sites.
1987 - Steelcase opens the house to the public for tours.
2009 - The Meyer May house celebrates 100 years.
Web sites and information source:
Meyer May House Steelcase
Wikipedia Meyer May House
Photos:
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