Last week we presented the story of the weathervane that once graced the roof of 248 Provencal - 5ft tall, a rare and elegant figure of an Indian chief hoisting a bow. In 2006 it became the most expensive weathervane in the world when it sold at auction for $5.84m at Sotheby’s.

This week we present the history of the “Christmas Walk”. An annual event that opened some wonderfully decorated homes to the public in Grosse Pointe and Bloomfield-Hills, to benefit the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

The Christmas Walk event began in December 1960. Presented in the Detroit Free Press, it was reported “The old-fashioned Christmas Walk mapped by the Junior Women’s Association for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra is a “first” that should – hopefully – become a…

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Last week we visited a stunning Georgian Colonial style home – 160 Provencal. It was originally commissioned by Inez Chapin, however, following her death before it was finished it was completed by our founder Hugo Higbie and his wife Marian Chapin (Inez’s daughter) in 1957.

This week we look at the history of a rather stunning weathervane that once graced the roof of 248 Provencal. In 2006 it became the most expensive weathervane in the world when it was sold at auction for nearly $6m.

There are many stunning weathervanes in Grosse Pointe, situated on the roofs and cupolas of some of the magnificent homes in the community. Once such example is the molded copper weathervane that was once situated on the roof of 248 Provencal – 5ft tall, a rare…

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Last week we concluded our series on the Robert O. Derrick designed homes on Provencal. He created six in total, more than any other architect.

This week we stay on Provencal as we visit a stunning Georgian Colonial style home – 160 Provencal was completed by HMA’s founder Hugo Higbie and his wife Marian Chapin in 1957.

160 Provencal was originally commissioned by Inez Chapin, it is not known who the architect was. Mrs. Chapin was the wife of Roy Chapin Sr. and the mother of Marian Chapin who was married to Hugo Higbie. The elder Chapin’s, Roy and Inez, built a stunning Georgian style home on Lake Shore in 1927 (457 Lake Shore, demolished in 1983) – you can read the full story by clicking here). Image courtesy of: digital.library.wayne.edu/…

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Last week we continued with the work of Robert O. Derrick, as we stopped by 97 Touraine. This stunning Georgian style home was completed in 1929, for stockbroker Howard Bennett.

This week we return to Robert O. Derrick’s work on Provencal. We recently covered four homes he created, and now we explore two further properties – 290 Provencal and 274 Provencal. This makes six homes in total on this special road - more than any other architect.

290 Provencal
290 Provencal was completed in 1924, by Robert O. Derrick for Hiram H. Walker II, and his wife Elizabeth Stroh. Prior to moving into their new home on Provencal, the couple resided at a gracious home in Indian Village - 1441 Burns - designed by Smith, Hinchman, & Grylls. His grandfather, Hiram…

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