Dempsey Manor
506 Maple Street
Built in 1894 for James and Mary Dempsey, it is the largest still-standing lumber baron residence in Manistee and a tribute to the city's Victorian heritage. Both of the Dempseys came from prosperous Irish families who immigrated to the U.S. The couple's prominence in Manistee derived from Mr. Dempsey's strength of character, his great success in the lumber business, and his investments in the railroad and automotive industries. He was also a well-respected public official and a philanthropist.
In its 122 years, the James Dempsey Mansion has changed hands five times. Mary Dempsey passed away in 1906. It is presumed that her husband continued to live at the corner of Maple and Fifth Streets until he joined her in repose at Mount Carmel Cemetery in 1919. By then, the Dempsey children had homes of their own in Manistee or had moved to other parts of the country. The mansion was a boarding house for a few decades and then an assisted living facility. Later it was acquired by a retired couple who lovingly (and with no expense spared) restored it and made it their dream home.
The mansion is now owned by James Colburn and Jan Peterson who operate it as a Victorian house museum and a luxuriously-appointed bed and breakfast inn called Dempsey Manor. The interior is furnished and decorated from Colburn's lifetime collections of antiques. "Some of the pieces on display have been in storage for 30 or 40 years," he said. "I always knew they'd find the perfect home." Colburn, who enjoyed a career as a Hollywood set decorator, thinks of the mansion as his last and most wonderful stage.
Colburn and Peterson are looking forward to showing off the Dempsey Manor during the Lakeside Club Tour of Homes. Peterson commented that guests will be able to see most of the main floor and any of the guest rooms and suites that are unoccupied on July 16. "There's nothing more satisfying than sharing this beautiful old house," she said. "People are always amazed and that really delights us."
Visitors will see the stunning, atrium-style Grand Foyer, the inviting parlors -- one for Mrs. Dempsey and her contemporaries, the other where Mr. Dempsey gathered his business associates and friends, the elegant dining room, the library with its impressive floor-to-ceiling glass-fronted book shelves, and the Conservatory. This all-glass room, filled with lush botanicals, was added by the previous owners in 2000. "It's a favorite with all of our visitors," says Colburn. "It's the perfect place for morning coffee, reading in the afternoon, or a glass of wine before dinner."
A hallmark of Victorian architecture is the rich use of wood. The Dempsey is a notable example of the ways in which wood transforms a room, adding warmth and depth. Through the mansion, visitors will be captivated by all of the first-cutting Michigan oak, cherry and maple elaborately carved mantels, built-in shelves and cabinets, pocket doors--five sets in all -- and the staircases. One of Peterson's favorite views is from the second floor mezzanine. "You can look up or down and see the staircases with their gleaming banisters and hand-turned spindles," she said. "I also like to stand in the dining room doorway looking into the foyer. It's absolutely spectacular."
Currently, Dempsey Manor offers guest accommodations in four standard rooms and two suites; each with its own unique appointments. Colburn remarked that a third suite will eventually be added. "But we will have to wait a while," he said. "The focus into the foreseeable future is on exterior renovations.. We replaced part of the roof last year and rebuilt the front porch. Right now, extensive repairs are being made to the brick veneer. Jan and I love this mansion and we're committed to preserving it for future generations."
506 Maple Street
Built in 1894 for James and Mary Dempsey, it is the largest still-standing lumber baron residence in Manistee and a tribute to the city's Victorian heritage. Both of the Dempseys came from prosperous Irish families who immigrated to the U.S. The couple's prominence in Manistee derived from Mr. Dempsey's strength of character, his great success in the lumber business, and his investments in the railroad and automotive industries. He was also a well-respected public official and a philanthropist.
In its 122 years, the James Dempsey Mansion has changed hands five times. Mary Dempsey passed away in 1906. It is presumed that her husband continued to live at the corner of Maple and Fifth Streets until he joined her in repose at Mount Carmel Cemetery in 1919. By then, the Dempsey children had homes of their own in Manistee or had moved to other parts of the country. The mansion was a boarding house for a few decades and then an assisted living facility. Later it was acquired by a retired couple who lovingly (and with no expense spared) restored it and made it their dream home.
The mansion is now owned by James Colburn and Jan Peterson who operate it as a Victorian house museum and a luxuriously-appointed bed and breakfast inn called Dempsey Manor. The interior is furnished and decorated from Colburn's lifetime collections of antiques. "Some of the pieces on display have been in storage for 30 or 40 years," he said. "I always knew they'd find the perfect home." Colburn, who enjoyed a career as a Hollywood set decorator, thinks of the mansion as his last and most wonderful stage.
Colburn and Peterson are looking forward to showing off the Dempsey Manor during the Lakeside Club Tour of Homes. Peterson commented that guests will be able to see most of the main floor and any of the guest rooms and suites that are unoccupied on July 16. "There's nothing more satisfying than sharing this beautiful old house," she said. "People are always amazed and that really delights us."
Visitors will see the stunning, atrium-style Grand Foyer, the inviting parlors -- one for Mrs. Dempsey and her contemporaries, the other where Mr. Dempsey gathered his business associates and friends, the elegant dining room, the library with its impressive floor-to-ceiling glass-fronted book shelves, and the Conservatory. This all-glass room, filled with lush botanicals, was added by the previous owners in 2000. "It's a favorite with all of our visitors," says Colburn. "It's the perfect place for morning coffee, reading in the afternoon, or a glass of wine before dinner."
A hallmark of Victorian architecture is the rich use of wood. The Dempsey is a notable example of the ways in which wood transforms a room, adding warmth and depth. Through the mansion, visitors will be captivated by all of the first-cutting Michigan oak, cherry and maple elaborately carved mantels, built-in shelves and cabinets, pocket doors--five sets in all -- and the staircases. One of Peterson's favorite views is from the second floor mezzanine. "You can look up or down and see the staircases with their gleaming banisters and hand-turned spindles," she said. "I also like to stand in the dining room doorway looking into the foyer. It's absolutely spectacular."
Currently, Dempsey Manor offers guest accommodations in four standard rooms and two suites; each with its own unique appointments. Colburn remarked that a third suite will eventually be added. "But we will have to wait a while," he said. "The focus into the foreseeable future is on exterior renovations.. We replaced part of the roof last year and rebuilt the front porch. Right now, extensive repairs are being made to the brick veneer. Jan and I love this mansion and we're committed to preserving it for future generations."