Construction of the house began in 1899 and was completed in 1902.  The home was built for Margaret Husband and her daughter Bessie (who later married Ben Hanchett Jr.), at a cost of $13,000.  Margaret had inherited $150,000 from Lucius and Lumen Jenison.  She had worked as bookkeeper many years for the Jenison twins before their deaths within six months of each other.

 

The house has an attic, basement, reception room, 2 parlors, dining room, pantry, kitchen, 2 bathrooms, a maid’s room and 4 bedrooms.  Two of the second-floor bedrooms have been converted to display rooms for historical artifacts. There are also many artifacts on display in the attic (including a working loom) and in the basement.

 

For many years the Jenison Museum was known as the “Tiffany House”.  In the 1960s the museum and four other houses were purchased by the Michigan Highway Department under eminent domain so the entrance ramp to I-196 could be built.  Technically, the museum is about 10 feet too close to the ramp, but this was mutually resolved by adding a drainage pipe and stipulating no one could reside full time in the home.

 

The kitchen had been “modernized” and had to be restored to its original form.  The highway department had also used the house as a field office, and it was in rough shape when the Township took back ownership.  Community volunteers restored the house back to its original glory with period appropriate furniture.  The first floor has been furnished as it may have appeared when Margaret Husband and Bessie Hanchett lived in the house.

 

The museum is located at 28 Port Sheldon in Jenison, Michigan.  The Jenison Historical Association maintains the museum and holds scheduled open houses throughout the year or special tours by appointment. 

 

Navigating stairs is necessary to access the entire museum.