Frederick Law Olmsted's sons John Charles and Frederick Law Jr., as well as a gathering of other parks managers and landscape design professionals outside of the "picturesque Log Cabin" at Palmer Park, in late 1890s. Courtesy of Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site/Brookline, Massachusetts.
The City of Detroit announced 6/24/2016 that it will spend $400,000 to stabilize and restore the Palmer Park Log Cabin built by Senator Thomas and Lizzie Merrill Palmer some 130 years ago. The only Log Cabin in Detroit, it is significant from both architectural and historic perspectives. It is a treasured landmark for our community that must be preserved. This work will help to ensure that this important historic structure — which is in an extremely distressed and crumbling state — will survive. This is only the first phase to completely restore the Cabin, which People for Palmer Park has been working so hard to preserve.
When will the Log Cabin renovation be finished?
City stabilization work should be completed by the fall of 2016. This is only the beginning of all the actual restoration work needed in the Log Cabin.
What exactly is being renovated and repaired by the city?
City work will include:
PFPP’s initial goal is to restore the original stained glass windows on the first floor, which we
estimate will cost between $50-75,000. In addition, there is still a lot of work to be done including: restoring the chimneys; fixing and refinishing all interior woodwork, floors, doors, stairway; fixing historic pocket doors; interior plaster and painting; rebuilding the historic kitchen; and much more. There are no lighting fixtures, no electricity, and no running water or heat.
How could I book my event / wedding / corporate retreat into the Log Cabin?
You must apply to the City of Detroit for any event for 25 or people. Call 313-224-1100 or fill out the Special Event Form online: www.detroitmi.gov/How-Do-I/Apply-for-Permits/Special-Events-Information. You may also directly contact PFPP, who will have responsibility for events hosted at the Cabin.
When will Palmer Park get bathrooms installed?
Will the Log Cabin have a toilet? There is a comfort station/bathrooms being renovated by the Splash Pad, which should be completed this summer. No, there will not be a working toilet in the Log Cabin. We anticipate there will be more bathrooms in the park in the future.
Will the Log Cabin still look the way it did when Sen. and Mrs. Palmer lived in it after the renovations are finished?
Yes, that is the goal, however we may not install their furniture and antiques, which would turn it into a museum. We hope that it will have a number of ways that it will be used, which are being explored.
Will the Log Cabin be open again to the public once the City renovations are complete this year?
PFPP hopes to host an event or tour once this initial work on the cabin is complete, in late fall. As the additional work progresses, we hope the Cabin will be used and opened more and more.
How can I help?
PFPP is holding a fundraiser at the Frank Lloyd Wright Turkel home on Sunday, August 28 from
4-7 pm. Funds will be used to restore the stained glass windows.
When will the Log Cabin renovation be finished?
City stabilization work should be completed by the fall of 2016. This is only the beginning of all the actual restoration work needed in the Log Cabin.
What exactly is being renovated and repaired by the city?
City work will include:
- new cedar shingle roof with new weatherproofing, felts and spacers;
- cedar ridge capping and repair concrete roof vent;
- removal of loose bark and treatment of existing bark with wood preservative;
- demolition of existing sidewalks and planters and adding new positive grade and sidewalks;
- excavate perimeter of cabin, with new concrete underpinnings to 42” depth;
- repair existing brick grade beams and install new French drainage system;
- rebuild porch canopy and rebuild back wall; add new back entry door; environmental remediation to remove all animal feces in the walls and ceilings; and some site restoration.
PFPP’s initial goal is to restore the original stained glass windows on the first floor, which we
estimate will cost between $50-75,000. In addition, there is still a lot of work to be done including: restoring the chimneys; fixing and refinishing all interior woodwork, floors, doors, stairway; fixing historic pocket doors; interior plaster and painting; rebuilding the historic kitchen; and much more. There are no lighting fixtures, no electricity, and no running water or heat.
How could I book my event / wedding / corporate retreat into the Log Cabin?
You must apply to the City of Detroit for any event for 25 or people. Call 313-224-1100 or fill out the Special Event Form online: www.detroitmi.gov/How-Do-I/Apply-for-Permits/Special-Events-Information. You may also directly contact PFPP, who will have responsibility for events hosted at the Cabin.
When will Palmer Park get bathrooms installed?
Will the Log Cabin have a toilet? There is a comfort station/bathrooms being renovated by the Splash Pad, which should be completed this summer. No, there will not be a working toilet in the Log Cabin. We anticipate there will be more bathrooms in the park in the future.
Will the Log Cabin still look the way it did when Sen. and Mrs. Palmer lived in it after the renovations are finished?
Yes, that is the goal, however we may not install their furniture and antiques, which would turn it into a museum. We hope that it will have a number of ways that it will be used, which are being explored.
Will the Log Cabin be open again to the public once the City renovations are complete this year?
PFPP hopes to host an event or tour once this initial work on the cabin is complete, in late fall. As the additional work progresses, we hope the Cabin will be used and opened more and more.
How can I help?
PFPP is holding a fundraiser at the Frank Lloyd Wright Turkel home on Sunday, August 28 from
4-7 pm. Funds will be used to restore the stained glass windows.
