Significant structural restoration on the horizon at Felt Mansion

The Felt Mansion has stood solid for almost a century, though years of exposure to the elements has caused damage to masonry and windows that needs to be addressed soon.

The Friends of the Felt Estate, known as FoFE, the group that oversees the 12,000-plus-square-foot historic mansion, has been able to keep up with the expenses for architectural investigation and planning using funds raised in 2025 for restoration. The Felt has not needed to use the $90,000 set aside by the township in March, Elizabeth McEwen, executive director of the Felt Estate, told the Laketown Township board at its Aug. 12, 2026, meeting.

“We haven’t had to tap into the township money,” she said in the annual update to the board.

“Our goal is to approach preservation of the Felt Estate systematically: understand the condition first, establish priorities based on safety and preservation needs, obtain professional design and cost information, leverage grants and private support, and then determine where township investment can have the greatest impact,” she wrote in a report to the township.

Trustee Mark Timmerman thanked McEwen for the update and work to secure funding.

“I think you’ve done a great job of just being transparent about things. I think people are waiting for that transparency,” he said.

The mansion is at 6597 138^th Ave. in Laketown Township.

Several fall events are planned at the mansion including a free self-guided tour from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6, and Halloween events with free trick-or-treating for children.

For details, visit here.

Years of deferred maintenance have left the building envelope in need of a variety of repairs, with the following two projects deemed most critical:

First: Portico

The east portico of the mansion, the area with the big wooden door and sandstone columns, is in poor condition. Restore Consulting said the area needs restoration but is structurally stable and safe for continued public use.

“The more immediate concern is water infiltration,” McEwen wrote. “Restore recommends full replacement of the existing roofing and flashing, with a preference for flat-hammered copper roofing for durability and historic continuity.”

The repairs are estimated to cost more than $25,000 (the copper roof alone is estimated at $18,000). The cost can be covered by FoFE utilizing funds raised in 2025 for restoration efforts.

“The remaining portico restoration can be approached in phases over several years, allowing FoFE to plan and fund the larger masonry and balustrade restoration responsibly rather than treating the entire project as an immediate need,” McEwen said.

Next: West Vestibule

The consultant has noted deterioration and multiple issues due to a history of water infiltration in the west vestibule and balcony, the side facing the chapel and Shore Acres Township Park. Access to the balcony is currently restricted.

A report recently released said the inner masonry is in good shape and, “structurally, we’re good,” McEwen told the board. With the report, FoFE will now be able to seek bids for restoration.

FoFE has already secured $21,900 from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council toward restoration of the west vestibule, which requires a 25 percent cash match and must be used by Dec. 31, 2026.

The township’s contribution could fulfill the match requirement and leverage the Michigan Arts and Culture grant to make the Felt competitive for additional grant funding for the west vestibule.

“Once we understand the appropriate scope, cost, available outside funding, and timing, we will be in a much better position to determine whether and how the township’s authorized capital funding should be used,” McEwen said.

At a presentation on Aug. 26, McEwen estimated a total overall cost for all exterior renovations at $5 million to $6 million.

Working together

FoFE is working with multiple advisors on the restoration process.

“As the estate enters a period of more significant exterior preservation work, FoFE is also strengthening the professional infrastructure surrounding these projects,” McEwen said.

EV Construction is providing construction advisory services to FoFE as an in-kind contribution through May 2027. EV Construction will provide assistance with project scopes, bidding strategy and contractor qualification, bid evaluation and contract negotiation, construction oversight, invoice review, and project closeout.

Restore Consulting has also committed to donating 5 percent of its professional fees back to the Felt in support of the estate’s preservation while helping ensure that restoration work follows the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

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, six 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.