Felt Estate receives National Preservation Award

The Friends of the Felt Estate received a $5,000 National Trust Preservation Fund grant to support an architectural engineering investigation into the front portico of the historic Felt Mansion.

This critical first step will identify repair needs and guide restoration work, ensuring safe public access and preserving the mansion’s historic entryway for future generations.

“This grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation is both an honor and a vital first step in our ongoing restoration efforts,” said Elizabeth McEwen, director of the Friends of the Felt Estate. “The Felt Mansion is more than a historic building — it is a place where thousands of people each year connect with history, celebrate milestones, and experience the arts. By addressing the portico’s structural needs, we are ensuring safe access for visitors today while preserving the integrity of this iconic entrance for future generations.”

The portico, a columned front entrance that serves as the grand threshold into the Georgian Revival mansion, is suffering from age-related deterioration. Cracked masonry, settling foundations, and water damage threaten both its appearance and its stability. Repairs are estimated in the hundreds of thousands of dollars and will require specialized materials and craftsmanship to restore the structure in keeping with its historic integrity.

The Friends of the Felt Estate is one of 65 organizations in 28 states to receive a total of $386,752 from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. It is the only Michigan recipient in this grant cycle.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a leading funder in the historic preservation movement, awarding more than $13 million to organizations across the country last year. Established in 1969, National Trust Preservation Funds encourage preservation at the local level, supporting nonprofit organizations and public agencies by providing seed money for preservation projects. 

A Centennial Celebration

The grant comes as the Felt Estate marks a milestone year: 100 years since construction began on the mansion and the release of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s iconic novel “The Great Gatsby.” The anniversary will be celebrated at the “Holiday Unveiling: Glitz. Glamour. Gatsby!” fundraising gala, taking place from 7–10 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, at the Felt Mansion, 6597 138th Ave., Holland, MI 49423.

Participants will don their best 1920s-inspired attire and step back into the glamour of the Jazz Age to celebrate the season with live entertainment, period-themed experiences, and festive holiday décor.

Tickets are $115 and include roaming appetizers, two drink tickets, and a commemorative ornament to take home. There will also be a silent auction and raffle for a weekend stay at the mansion. All proceeds will support the mansion’s restoration.

For more information or tickets, visit https://www.feltmansion.org/unveiling

About the Mansion

Construction on the mansion began in 1925 by Dorr Felt, inventor of the Comptometer, the first machine that could do all four math functions — add, subtract, multiply and divide. The building was finished in 1928.

Felt’s wife, Agnes, died in 1928, only two weeks after the house was complete. Dorr died two years later.

The property went on to serve as a minor seminary for the Augustinian order (attended by Pope Leo XIV), a state prison, and a Michigan State Police post before the property was purchased by Laketown Township.

Today, following years of restoration by the Friends of the Felt Estate, the mansion is a top cultural, educational, and event destination, welcoming thousands of visitors annually.

For more information, visit www.feltmansion.org