Parkwyn Village marks its 75th Anniversary
Neighborhood gathers to celebrate its historical and architectural heritage; commemorate the vision of its founders.
KALAMAZOO, MI September 10, 2022 – Parkwyn Village Association today hosted a festive celebration to mark the 75th anniversary of the neighborhood located in the southwest corner of Kalamazoo. More than 100 current and former residents, friends, public officials, and special guests gathered to remember the vision of Parkwyn’s founding families and celebrate one of the oldest surviving planned neighborhoods designed by world famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
“Parkwyn was not merely a development of individual houses, it was young families coming together to create an intentional community,” said Les Tung, President of Parkwyn Village Association. “Frank Lloyd Wright once reflected on the cooperative spirit of our founders when he said ‘The Parkwyn Project is an example of true democracy in action because it represents a group of people working together to achieve individual freedom.’ Today, we echo Wright’s sentiment, celebrate our history and honor the individuals and families that have served and sustained the vision of our founders.”
Parkwyn Village founding families purchased a 47-acre tract of farmland and commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright in 1947 to create a site plan and individual house designs. 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 that was recently recognized with a listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
Aerial photo of Parkwyn Village circa 1947 before homes were built, trees were planted or roads were completed.
“It is unusual to find in a single district so many quality examples of mid-century modern architecture that, for the most part, appear today as they did in the 1950's and 1960's,” noted a Special Tribute from the State of Michigan presented by State Senator Sean McCann and State Representative Julie M. Rogers. “Parkwyn Village is a vibrant neighborhood of friendly Michiganders who continue many of the cooperative traditions of the founding families.”
In addition to formal comments and presentations, memories were shared while refreshments were enjoyed. A pop-up museum was provided to display Parkwyn Village memorabilia and a recording booth was available to collect visual and audio memories from participants. Music by The Scott Robbins Quartet added to the afternoon’s celebratory atmosphere. To learn more about Parkwyn Village, visit parkwynvillage.com.
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