Explore Women's History at the Mann House

Built by Daniel and Ellen Mann in 1883, the bright yellow clapboard and green trim home brought the successful farm family closer to the schools and to the social life of the rapidly growing village. The family became active in the community and were known for bringing in the latest technology. They installed the community’s first telephone in 1900 and added electricity and indoor plumbing around 1910.

Daniel and Ellen were both college educated, which was unusual for the time. They valued education and lifelong learning and encouraged both daughters to attend school and college. While only 10% of the American population had high school diplomas in 1900, the Mann daughters both graduated college with unusual degrees for women during the period. The eldest, Mary Ida, attended the Michigan State Normal College (now Eastern Michigan University) and focused on physical education. Jessie also attended the Michigan State Normal College, and in 1906, she earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Michigan. Both women became teachers.

Mary Ida and Jessie also traveled the world. On a trip to the Philippines to visit a distant relative in 1913, Mary Ida met her future husband, Charles Cady. The couple married in 1914 and lived in Manila and across the United States until Charles death in 1942. Jessie, who never married, traveled internationally and decorated the family home in Concord with souvenirs from the trips.

From the mid-1940s to the mid-1960s, the sisters lived together, spending their summers in their family home. They made several renovations to the home over these decades, including an addition for a modern kitchen. In the 1950s, they began negotiating with the Michigan Historical Commission to maintain the home as a historic house museum. The state officially accepted the donation from the sisters’ estates in 1969 and opened the home to the public in October 1970.

Today, the historic Mann House looks and feels as if Mary Ida and Jessie just stepped out for a moment. All their belongings - from grandmother’s horsehair furniture to the family’s extensive library to the clothes in the closets – tell the stories of the independent, self-sufficient, forward-thinking women who lived in this house from 1883 to 1969. The home is open for guided tours each summer and admission is free. In 2018 open hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from May 30 to September 2.

In addition to drop-in tours, the home and its grounds will feature several family-friendly events all summer long, including Friday evening walking tours of the Village of Concord and Sunday afternoon Puzzles on the Porch games and activities.

The home’s popular Ladies Tea returns on Thursday, June 21 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and a special evening concert on the lawn featuring Acoustic Strings will take place on July 13 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

During the village’s annual Concord Classic event June 22-24, the museum will host special programs for visitors of all ages. On June 22 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., children ages 5 to 15 can use recycled materials to create and race their own miniature car. Also on June 22, families can join a special walking tour of the Village of Concord from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Mann House will be open for special tours on Saturday, June 23 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For a full listing of summer programs, including registration and fee information for the Ladies Tea and Recycle Car event, visit the Mann House website at www.michigan.gov/mannhouse.

Mann House Visitor Information

205 Hanover Street
Concord, MI 49237

Admission
Admission to Mann House is free. Some programs may have a fee or ask a donation.

2018 Season Dates and Hours
From May 30 to September 2, Mann House is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Fridays until 6 p.m.).

Please note that Mann House will be closed Wednesday, July 4.

Plan your visit.