Area less than one acre NRHP Reference # 83000892 Opened 1853 Added to NRHP 18 April 1983 | Built 1853 (1853) Designated MSHS January 18, 1963 Phone +1 269-637-3251 | |
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Location 903 Bailey Ave., South Haven, Michigan Address 903 S Bailey Ave, South Haven, MI 49090, USA Architectural style Greek Revival architecture Similar Michigan Maritime Museum, Foundry Hall, Historical Association of South, Michigan Flywheelers Museum, Van Buren State Park | ||
The Liberty Hyde Bailey Birthplace, now the Liberty Hyde Bailey Museum, is a farmhouse located at 903 Bailey Avenue in South Haven, Michigan, and is significant as the birthplace and childhood home of horticulturist Liberty Hyde Bailey. It was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1963 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
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History
This farmhouse was built in 1853-1858 by Liberty Hyde Bailey Sr., and stood on his 80-acre farm. In 1858, Liberty Hyde Bailey was born in this house; the younger Bailey spent 19 years living here, learning about the local wild animals and plants. He entered Michigan Agricultural College (now Michigan State University) in 1878, and went on to become a well-known horticulturist, botanist and cofounder of the American Society for Horticultural Science.
In 1918, Frank E. Warner purchased the Bailey farm, and lived there until his death in 1926. In 1937, the property which the house stands on was presented to the city of South Haven for use as a memorial to Dr. Bailey.
Description
The Liberty Hyde Bailey Birthplace is a 1-1/2 story Greek Revival house clad in clapboard and sitting on a fieldstone foundation. A single-story rear section was added some time after the original construction. The interior has plaster walls and ceilings with plain board trim. The first floor contains sitting and dining rooms, a kitchen, abedroom, and a storage room. The second floor contains three bedrooms and a small library.