Hello! My name is Patty Meyer, and my husband and I are the project managers for the Felt Estate Restoration Project. We are so excited to have this opportunity to be involved in the worthwhile endeavor of saving the Felt Mansion and grounds and preserving them for this and the next generations to enjoy.

    A little bit about us, and how we got involved: Dean and I have been married for twelve years, and we have four children, three boys, and one girl. June 21, 2001, on our anniversary, we stumbled (literally) upon the Felt Mansion. Then, it was a boarded up, leaking, vine-covered mess. But, under all of that mess and debris, I could see a beautiful home just waiting for someone to love it back to its former splendor. (Dean refers to that day as one that lives in infamy.)

    After a little research, we found out that Laketown Township owned the building, and that the buy/sell agreement with the State of Michigan said that the home must remain in public ownership for public use. Instead of saying to them, "well, somebody ought to do something" (my pet peeve statement), we offered to head up a volunteer barn-raising of sorts: rehabilitating the mansion and preserving it for future use. After much discussion, the Township officially appointed us project managers on March 11, 2002. Since then, over 500 people have joined our emailing list and volunteer corps. We are having such a great time, and have made so many new and lasting friendships.

    So, many ask, what will the mansion BE when it is finished? We hope to see the mansion become the Felt Estate Historic Home and Gardens, open to the public for tours and for rentals. This will be a stunning site for weddings, and a unique venue for parties, business meetings and retreats, family reunions, and more.

    Our hope is that we can have the building open for rental and limited overnight accommodations by July 4th, 2003. Won’t you join us in this dream, turning a neglected structure into a useful and beautiful cultural asset to this community? Please see the rest of this web site for more information on how you can donate and become involved.

    Pat is the 'spark plug' of the Felt Estate restoration project. Her dedication and leadership are an inspiration to all of us...