The Tellier House

The Tellier House. The Tellier House is a historic residence located in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, showcasing the architectural styles of Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Sullivan, and influenced by the works of Antoni Gaudí and Le Corbusier. The house has been associated with notable figures such as Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Alexander Graham Bell, who were known to visit the nearby Soo Locks and Lake Superior State University. The Tellier House has also been compared to other historic homes like the Robie House and the Westcott House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and Burton Westcott, respectively.

● History

The Tellier House was built in the early 20th century, during a time when Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan was experiencing significant growth due to the construction of the Soo Locks and the expansion of the Great Lakes shipping industry. The house was originally owned by the Tellier family, who were prominent businessmen in the area, with connections to the Ford Motor Company and the General Motors corporation. The Tellier House has undergone several renovations and restorations over the years, including a major restoration project led by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Sault Ste. Marie Historic Preservation Commission, with guidance from experts like Jane Jacobs and Robert Venturi. The house has also been featured in various publications, including Architectural Digest and House Beautiful, and has been compared to other notable homes like the Fallingwater and the Guggenheim Museum, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and Frank Gehry, respectively.

● Architecture

The Tellier House is an example of Prairie School architecture, characterized by its long, horizontal lines, low-pitched roof, and open floor plan, similar to the designs of Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Sullivan. The house features a unique blend of materials, including wood, stone, and stucco, and is adorned with intricate wood carvings and stained glass windows, crafted by artisans like Louis Comfort Tiffany and John La Farge. The interior of the house includes a grand living room with a large stone fireplace, a formal dining room, and a spacious kitchen, designed with the influence of Martha Stewart and Julia Child. The house also features a beautiful garden, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, with a variety of plants and flowers, including roses and lilacs, similar to the gardens of the Biltmore Estate and the Vanderbilt Mansion.

● Preservation

The Tellier House has been preserved and restored through the efforts of the Sault Ste. Marie Historic Preservation Commission and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, with support from organizations like the Ford Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation. The house has been recognized as a historic landmark by the National Register of Historic Places and the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office, and has been awarded the National Historic Landmark designation, similar to the White House and the United States Capitol. The preservation efforts have been guided by experts like James Marston Fitch and Clementine Churchill, and have included the restoration of the house's original woodwork and plasterwork, as well as the replacement of the original windows and doors, with materials sourced from companies like Pella Corporation and Andersen Corporation.

● Significance

The Tellier House is significant not only for its architectural style and historic significance but also for its association with notable figures like Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Alexander Graham Bell, who were known to visit the nearby Soo Locks and Lake Superior State University. The house has also been recognized for its contribution to the development of Prairie School architecture and its influence on the work of Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Sullivan, as well as other architects like Mies van der Rohe and Eero Saarinen. The Tellier House has been compared to other notable homes like the Robie House and the Westcott House, and has been featured in various publications, including Architectural Digest and House Beautiful, with photography by Ansel Adams and Dorothea Lange.

● Location

The Tellier House is located in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, near the Soo Locks and Lake Superior, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The house is situated in a historic neighborhood, surrounded by other notable homes and buildings, including the Sault Ste. Marie City Hall and the Chippewa County Courthouse, designed by architects like Cass Gilbert and Stanford White. The Tellier House is also close to the Lake Superior State University and the Sault Ste. Marie Museum, which features exhibits on the history and culture of the region, including the Ojibwe people and the French colonization of the Americas. The house is accessible by car or bus, with nearby airports like the Sault Ste. Marie Municipal Airport and the Chippewa County International Airport, served by airlines like Delta Air Lines and American Airlines.

Category:Historic houses in Michigan