DEXTER’S GORDON HALL: A PLACE FOR COMMUNITY TO CONNECT WITH THE PAST AND THE PRESENT
By Jenny Black
A Gateway to Another Time
Gordon Hall is one of the most beloved buildings in Dexter. This stately and elegant structure sits on a gentle hilltop overlooking the bustling downtown. Its spacious property is full of large trees, a lush lawn, and beautiful landscaping. Rich in history and known for its Greek Revival architectural style, Gordon Hall embodies the dignity of its original owner and Dexter’s founder, Judge Samuel Dexter. Gordon Hall is listed as a Michigan State Historic Site and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
“When people think of Dexter, Gordon Hall is one of the first things that comes to mind,” said Caryl Burke, President of the Dexter Area Historical Society. “It’s a unique and special place.”
Although Judge Dexter first settled in the village that he founded, when his home in town became too noisy due to the coming of the railroad, he decided to move to a quieter space. In 1841, he commissioned a mansion to be built by local resident Calvin Fillmore, brother of the future President Millard Fillmore. The home was finished in 1843. Judge Dexter named the manor Gordon Hall in honor of his mother, Catherine Gordon Dexter. Judge Dexter and his wife Millicent went on to raise their eight children at Gordon Hall.
The scale and design of Gordon Hall make it stand out as an impressive building. With its broad front and six pillars, from a distance it almost looks like a Greek temple.
“Gordon Hall is a Greek Revival house with a style known as ‘hen and chicks’,” Burke points out. She goes on to show how the “hen” is a front gable central core resembling a temple front, and the “chicks” are one story side wings. The “hen and chicks” style is said to be almost unique to southeastern Michigan.
As one of the oldest surviving properties in Dexter, Gordon Hall is full of history. One of the legends about it is that the home was a stop on the Underground Railroad. Because of the secretive nature of this portion of history, conclusive evidence is hard to come by. However, there are several signs that indicate this is likely true. Samuel Dexter was known to be a staunch abolitionist. In addition, there is a room in the basement of Gordon Hall that, according to old floor plans, was only accessible by a hatch door in the back porch. Also, there are stories, handed down by word of mouth, mentioning Judge Dexter and his sons as being conductors on the Underground Railroad.
Gordon Hall has gone through a series of ownership changes and varying states of repair since Judge Samuel Dexter died in 1863. The home remained in the family until Millicent died in 1899. After that, the home changed hands several times and by the 1930s, it had fallen into disrepair. In 1939, Katharine Dexter McCormick purchased the property. McCormick was the granddaughter of Samuel Dexter and daughter of Dexter’s son, Wirt.
Although McCormick was born at Gordon Hall, she did not grow up there. An accomplished woman in her own right, McCormick was a graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), as well as a prominent scientist and suffragist. In 1940 she hired Emil Lorch, Dean Emeritus of the University of Michigan School of Architecture, to restore Gordon Hall. Lorch spent eight years working on refurbishing the building, including tearing down a four-story Victorian-style tower that Millicent Dexter had built after her husband’s death.
However, in 1950, McCormick donated the property to the University of Michigan. Once the University took ownership of the property, they gutted the recently-renovated interior and converted the home into apartments for staff and faculty. This remained the case until 2003, when the University put the property up for sale.
Preserving a Rich History
With the help of donors, including long-time Dexter residents, businesses, townships, the Chelsea Retirement Community, schoolchildren and many more, the Dexter Area Historical Society was able to purchase Gordon Hall and the remaining 68 acres of its property in 2006.
Since then, the historical society has been working tirelessly to raise funds and work piece by piece on the restoration of this impressive building and property. Their goal is to restore the interior and exterior to the way it looked during Judge Dexter’s time there. In addition to the ongoing careful historical refurbishment, the historical society has also added some modern conveniences, such as bathrooms with wheelchair access and a functional kitchen, in order to make the building a comfortable venue for events.
A Way to Connect with Community
Though there is still restoration to be done, much of the exterior work is finished for now. Gordon Hall is a lovely place to visit or to rent for a special occasion. The property is open for special events throughout the year, such as Gordon Hall Days in the fall and Christmas at the Mansion events in December. During these events and others, visitors can take guided tours and wander the extensive grounds. The events help raise funds for the historical society’s work, but they are also for fun and a chance to learn about history.
“We want to continue to raise funds for the restoration work, but we also just want people to come and enjoy themselves and enjoy this place,” said Jan Weaver, member of the Dexter Area Historical Society.
In addition to the public events, Gordon Hall is available to rent for private events like weddings, parties, and banquets.
When you visit, it’s like taking a step back in time, an opportunity to enter a gateway into another time and place. Time seems to slow down and traffic noises fade away.
“This is a place where people can come together. A place where you can sit on the porch and look out over Dexter. It’s so peaceful here,” said Weaver.
Indeed, the view from the porch of Gordon Hall is serene. Looking down over the treetops, there is the downtown of Dexter and a church steeple rises in the distance.
Historical homes and buildings are not only aesthetically pleasing, they also remind us of where we came from and serve as a community’s heritage and identity, bringing us back to our roots. Learning about an area’s history reminds us that we are part of a bigger picture than our narrow daily tasks. In these modern times when people often feel rushed and isolated, historical venues reconnect us with our past and with others.
“We want to create a space where people can feel a sense of community,” said Burke. “We want Dexter people to think of this as their home.”
Join, Volunteer, or Rent
If you would like to get involved, volunteer, learn more about Gordon Hall and the Dexter Area Historical Society, or rent Gordon Hall for a special event, please visit their website at www.dexterhistory.org or follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dexterhistory.
The Dexter Area Historical Society has many opportunities for volunteers and welcomes your participation. If you would like more information about how to join, visit their website at www.dexterhistory.org for a membership form.
Gordon Hall may also be rented for weddings and other events. The historical setting and spacious, well-maintained grounds make it a perfect gathering place for special occasions. Please see the Events page on their website to find out more: www.dexterhistory.org/event–rentals.html.
Gordon Hall’s Events
The Dexter Area Historical Society hosts numerous events throughout the year to facilitate the education, enrichment, and enjoyment of Gordon Hall and its history, including Gordon Hall Days in September and Christmas at the Mansion in December.
Gordon Hall Days
This fun weekend event spans two days in September and includes a car show, crafts and demonstrations, guided tours of Gordon Hall, a period tea & fashion show, children’s activities, and more.
Holiday Events for 2023
Below are dates for the holiday events that took place at Gordon Hall in 2023. Keep an eye on the Dexter Area Historical Society website at https://www.dexterhistory.org/ and Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/dexterhistory for the latest details and most up-to-date information.
Get into the holiday spirit and gather with your community for a festive few days full of Christmas carols, Santa Claus, gingerbread houses, holiday tea, beautiful decorations, crafts, and baked goods.
December 1st, 2023
Something about Angels: A Fundraiser for Gordon Hall
December 2nd, 2023
Christmas at the Mansion: A family tradition at Gordon Hall
December 2nd, 2023
Holiday Bazaar at the Dexter Historical Museum
December 3rd, 2023
A Christmas Tea at Gordon Hall: If Teapots Could Talk
Several Evenings in December
Gordon Hall Open House featuring the Christmas Village Collection
