Parkwyn Village added to the National Register of Historic Places
Neighborhood recognized as a significant part of Kalamazoo’s rich historical and architectural heritage.
For Immediate Release
KALAMAZOO, MI July 13, 2022 – Parkwyn Village Association today announced their neighborhood’s listing in the National Register of Historic Places, the official list of America's historic places worthy of preservation administered by the U.S. National Park Service. Parkwyn Village, designed by world famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright, receives this recognition as the neighborhood celebrates the 75th anniversary of its founding.
"This designation underscores the historical, cultural, and architectural assets that exist in our community," said Peter Copeland, Parkwyn Village Association Vice President, and neighborhood historian. "Frank Lloyd Wright's Usonian designs played an important role in the evolution of America's midcentury modern homes, and the homes in Parkwyn Village stand as a prime example of the practical application of Wright’s idealistic concepts.”
Parkwyn Village was founded by a group of young families who had a vision for a "congenial housing community." They purchased a 47-acre tract of farmland at the west end of Winchell Avenue, overlooking what is now known as Asylum Lake. An agreement was reached between the group and Frank Lloyd Wright in 1947 for a site plan and individual house designs. Wright’s Usonian style houses were intended not only to be affordable but also to coexist with the land on which they were built.
Seventy-five years later, the neighborhood consists of forty-two residential lots that reflect Wright’s idea for simple, stylish homes that complement the natural beauty of the land. Homes designed by Kalamazoo architects Norman F. Carver, Jr., and George W. Sprau also contributed considerably to the neighborhood’s architectural significance.
“Recognition by the National Park Service is a great reminder of the neighborhood’s history and significance to our community,” said Les Tung, President of Parkwyn Village Association. “We are grateful for this important designation and plan to commemorate the occasion as part of our 75th anniversary celebration in September.”
The National Register of Historic Places provides formal recognition of a property's architectural, historical, or archaeological significance. More than 96,000 properties across the country, including nearly 2,000 in Michigan, have been listed in the National Register since the program began in the 1960s.
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