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Located at 216 Huron in Michigan's capital city, this house was the product of Darius B. Moon, a turn of the century Lansing architect, who designed and built this home for his family in 1893. The style of the "Moon House" is a "Stick" late Victorian with Arts and Crafts influence. The house is ornate on the outside, and a functional family home on the inside. The abundant and elaborate exterior wood detailing reflects the then readily available supply of wood and popularity of mass-produced designs. Originally located at 116 Logan Street, the house was scheduled for demolition after an apartment fire. A community wide effort saved the house by moving it to its present location in 1978, at which time it was placed on a new foundation, completely renovated, a new addition built, and added to the National Register of Historic Places. The recently selected colors were those popular in the late 1800's. Note the signature porch with its cast iron post capitals and tin ceiling and the decorative tin cresting topping the roof peaks.

Carol Skillings and Tom Stanton moved into the Moon House on the date of the full harvest moon in October 1997. "We have always admired Victorian homes. While searching for just the right distinguished older home on the 'Old West Side,' we were instantly impressed by the magnificent architecture. We love the wood detailing, both inside and out, windows, stone fountain, and mature landscaping, and appreciate having 20th century conveniences in a 19th century home. We are just beginning to add our own special touches while continuing to make repairs. We feel proud to preserve the Moon House as a lifetime project of stewardship. And we are still in awe each time we come home to a dream house!

Main facade. This house carries a good deal of the Stick Style as well as the Queen Anne Victorian as its main architectural features. The horizontal and vertical trim boards are highlighted in a dark color to set them off from the lighter clapboard color.

Gable detail. This late 19th century roof gable is typical of the period with "Sun Bursts" and large brackets. The paint colors are employed to accentuate the three dimensional nature of the original architect's design.

Additional gable detail. Contrasting colors help bring out the waffle pattern, corbels and intricate framing of the box window.

Roof dormer. The Queen Anne style of architecture often employed randomly placed small roof dormers. While tiny in comparison, they were made up of hundreds of parts and when colored correctly offer a delightful object to the pedestrian.

Verandah. The main ground level architectural feature of any majestic Queen Anne home is its wonderful verandah or porch. The Moon House has one of the finest porches I have ever encountered. The porch elements flow from one to another while maintaining a rhythm and harmony all their own. The color is placed to enhance that flow.

Detail, porch columns and railing. These columns have their chamfered corners highlighted by green paint and the massive railings capped by a Victorian era dark red color. This coloration technique makes the columns light but anchors the porch via the railings.

Porch gable detail. Victorian woodworking at its finest. Color is employed to bring out the special elements while leaving the massive framework to act as a support cast.

Copyright 2000-2007: Robert Schweitzer. Last revised November 7, 2005