Summertime and the Livin’ is Easy

Back in 1910 when the Alger’s first moved into their newly completed home, their summertime routine did not differ much from what it had previously. The family traveled a great deal, with or without Russell, as his business schedule permitted. When they were together in town, weekends would be spent entertaining friends, relatives, and business associates on the bowling green with games of lawn bowling and croquet. There was also lots of sailing, speed boating, swimming, fishing, and other activities to either be observed from the safety of the terrace or to participate in.

Russell excelled in all sports (and sporting hijinks) so whatever he could dream up happened out front on the expansive lawn or in the water. Marion Alger was a fishing zealot and could throw a line anytime, anywhere. If she was not fishing in Lake St. Clair, she was off on trips with Russ or her friends to Alaska, Florida, Cuba, California, and parts in between. She was also an avid fishing competitor, before and after Russell’s passing. Newspaper accounts of her tarpon catches, and other weigh-ins, may still be found. When she wasn’t fishing, she could frequently be found with her friends cheering on the Detroit Tigers from her prime box seats at Navin Field / Briggs /Tiger Stadium.

When the Alger’s would vacation or leave for months at a time, it could be to rent a “cottage” on Mackinac Island, on the North Shore of MA, or even close by at The Old Club on Harsens Island, one of Russell’s favorite year-round haunts. Before building “The Moorings” on the site of the former Theodore Hinchman cottage, the family had rented it and found they loved the location and view. Once they purchased the land and demolished the existing house in 1908, they rented one of the Cabbage Patch cottages next door to oversee the new build’s finalization.  

When they were taking a proper break, they would either take overseas trips via ocean liners or take one of their yachts, such as the Colonia, the Glenda, or later, the Winchester. According to Josephine Alger, the kids liked the long distance ocean trips as they could run amok unchaperoned on the liners while their governess stayed in sick bay due to her severe sea sickness. It was too easy to keep track of them on yachts.

Starboard Cottage’s Living Room

Once the three kids were out of the house, the York Harbor, Maine summer home was built, Starboard Cottage. This “cottage” was a very interesting looking home. The living room was wildly decorated with old cartography of places Russ and Marion had traveled to and with Frigate’s Bow - which is exactly what it sounds like. There were also images of various wild animals on the walls which they had encountered around the world, which may or may not explain the lion, tiger, and bear skins on the floors of “The Moorings.”

Once Marion moved to her new Provencal Road home from “The Moorings” she pretty much stayed with the same summer pattern sans the lakeside games. She traveled the world, fished, attended Tigers’ games, gardened voraciously, continued her philanthropic and community affairs, and entertained frequently whenever she was back in the Farms.

In 1949, when the former Alger home became The War Memorial, all manner of activities were scheduled out of doors, some which continue to this day. The Children’s Summer Art Camp was looked forward to by both parents and kids for its three-week run. There were Antique Car Shows on the bowling green, and a huge Art Fair staged annually throughout the front and back of the property. There were carnivals with and without animals, and a wildly successful Detroit sports teams event for kids through adults. Roaring 20’s and other costumed events were also popular.

Annual Art Fair

Ladies of the Roaring 20s

The long running, annual Viennese Ball moved from inside the house to the Fries Ballroom. Couples were encouraged to romantically “stroll through the formal gardens and wisteria imaging they were in Prater in Vienna.” They were apparently to stroll wearing tuxedos, ball gowns, and stiletto heels.

The annual French Market featured all sorts of jewelry, pottery, quilts, stoneware, and clothing booths; a large flea market; an array of French foods; can-can dancers; French chanteuses; and “performances by 17th century French Marines” (?). This event was also very popular and spanned the entire property.

There were plenty of high profile charity events, including the one in 1978 for the Michigan Opera Theatre where high fashion and décor reigned alongside priceless jewelry.  Armed guards protected an imported display case containing millions of dollars in jewelry from Czar Alexander of Russia, Horace Dodge (“Rose Terrace” #1), and exclusive pieces from Bulgari of Rome. The estate was decorated in an “Oriental paradise” motif, with exotic tropical flowers, a multitude of glowing candles, and the numerous trees on the property all dressed in thousands of tiny lights for the A-list attendees. As this fête was covered extensively by Detroit’s famed fashion doyenne, Marji Kunz, it must have been truly epic.

Outdoor music has been a part of the estate from the Alger’s residency through today. Dancing on the cloth-topped bowling green to an orchestra playing on the outside terrace was de rigueur for most Alger parties, including Josephine’s society debut in September 1915 and her June 1916 wedding reception. Groups of musicians played on the terrace for smaller functions, so that their music could be enjoyed by guests both outside and through the French doors above.

The War Memorial staged many different kinds of musical events here. Record parties, live musical combos, and folk singers performed on the terrace over the decades while attendees danced or just mingled inside and out. Later, the youth club dances brought in local rock bands or staged Battle of the Bands for the kids to enjoy (and the neighbors to complain about). There were also plenty of ragtime bands, square dances, and “old fashioned lawn socials” on the bowling green with the disclaimer that “the men had to pay a fee, and the women had to bring a basket dinner for two” to gain admittance.

Longtime War Memorial Executive Director, John Lake’s personal directive when he arrived in 1952 was  to bring in “nationally known artists,” and he seemed to have a great deal of persuasion, a killer Rolodex, or both. He was able to stage musical events both in the Fries and out of doors with famous names from the Metropolitan Opera; top Broadway and Hollywood singers; and book the entire Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

DSO Performance Courtesy - Grosse Pointe News, 7/26/1956

Tuning up pre-Festival performance

Chamber music and other ensembles, acclaimed pianists and master organists, renowned vocalists, and touring international musicians mixed with The Grunyons and Dixieland bands at the annual Grosse Pointe Summer Music Festival, now known as SummerFest. Oddly, the suggestion that attendees “discard your shoes on the lawn” was carried on all Dixieland advertisements. The Music Festival was held on the “Lakeside Terrace” with pre-show picnicking on the bowling green, but there were occasions when smaller sized chamber music concerts were held in what was called the “Fountain Court” facing Lake Shore.

There are still plenty of activities going on during the warmer months at The War Memorial. Young children still play on the bowling green for Tinkergarten, just as the Alger kids and grandchildren did. There are now numerous summer camps kids can attend, and parents can be thankful for. Guests can sign up for our picnics on the bowling green and not even have to pack for two people for admittance! SummerFest is free, no longer a paid subscription, and features a variety of music for the entire family including a Wicked Sing-a-Long.

Drop by during the warmer weather, hang out on the lawn, and enjoy one of our activities; removing your shoes is optional.