alden dow home and studio

Midland has it's own architect in the style Praire School architect, Alden Dow, and you can visit his home that he designed. A student of Wright and a follower of his school of design, there are several homes and buildings around Midland that show Alden Dow's ability and style of design, and there is no finer example than his own home and studio that is open to the public Monday thru Saturday 2:00 pm Feb to Dec. Cost $7 students, $12 seniors, $15 adults, length of tour about 1.5 hrs. This is a must for people who really like Frank Lloyd Wright's school of design and a great place to showcase Alden Dow's skill to any budding artist or designer.

This is a nice way to spend an afternoon. You can tell that the Dow Family loved this place. The detailed furnishings inspired me to work to make my place "my own," as this family did. Tours can sometimes be a bit stuffy, but the staff here was welcoming and happy to see others share their exuberant passion for the Dows and their Home and Studio. It must be beautiful in the winter.I wouldn't recommend this tour for young children or anyone with mobility challenges.

Located in the Dow Garden, the trail lead you to the home.Garden itself is very nice especially if you are planning to walkin the nature. Great for lung renewal.

I visited the Alden Dow Home and Studio with a friend and have visited many times previously. I found the home and studio to be more exciting than the famous Falling Water of Frank Lloyd Wright! The upkeep, colorful designs, and ever changing decor go above and beyond what is seen at Falling Water. Each time I visit the home and studio some aspects of the decor have changed. They strive to give the appearance that the home is lived in.The tour guides I've had were always friendly and knowledgeable. I only wish that the price was a little less expensive! But I do understand the need for funding upkeep of the property. I noted that a previous reviewer complained about requiring reservations! DON'T forget to reserve a place on a tour. It was very simple to do and pay online (from their website).While you are there I would suggest picking up a copy of the coffee table book. Although pricey, it includes pictures of the house's interior and much more than you could learn on a simple tour!Before, or after, I would recommend visiting the Dow Gardens. You can see the back of the home and studio from the gardens (which used to be part of the backyard). Make sure you pick up a map or ask for where to go in order to view the back of the house! This is definitely worth while.Hope you enjoy your trip! It is definitely worth the time.

I grew up in Midland so was already familiar with Dow Gardens and the many "Dow homes" in the area but was never able to tour the home (the family still lived there :)). I was really looking forward to this tour and was not disappointed - such an interesting and unusual man and home! Our guide had so much information and provided a lot of opportunity for questions. Looking forward to going back during a summer!

Parking is a bit unusual ... you park behind a one time church building, then walk about 150 yards, crossing a small bridge before you reach the house. The tour of the 20,000 square foot house takes about 2 - 2.5 hours, depending on the questions for the guide. The groups are intentionally kept small ( 8 or less), so call for reservations. The tour is excellent, as there is a great deal of "unusualness' associated with this house. The surrounding water has touched the house for 70 years - and there have no leaks.

We love historical buildings & architecture so were delighted to discover the Alden Dow Home & Studio tour. Our tour guide Sherry was very knowledgeable & as we were the only guests for our tour we had loads of opportunity for questions & discussion. The house & studio were awesome in design- very organic & much more liveable & workable than the houses we've toured that were built by Lloyd Wright. We were able to enter rooms, sit on original furniture. & actually experience this home & studio. The Dow family should be commended for preserving & showcasing the work of such a talented & enlightened architect!

Saw the house but did not get the opportunity to tour it this time. Will make a point on next trip. Built on a pond with much use of Styrofoam - very intriguing. Picked up brochure, tours run approx. 2 hours at a cost of $30.00.. Alden Dow is responsible for the design of numerous buildings and homes. You can often pick them out when you tour the neighbourhoods. His style is quite unique.

Living just 1 1/2 hours away, we had never ventured to Midland and to the Alden Dow Home and Studio. What a gem so close to home! We took my parents from England and we had a thoroughly enjoyable and insightful tour of this home. The tour was just the right length and the guide involved everyone in our group of 10. Don't miss this tour and book ahead!

Frank Lloyd Wright's influence plus Alden Dow's own originality created a home that is truly unique and worth visiting. The tour seemed to go very fast even though it was 2 hours. The docent was knowledgeable and open to answering questions. I felt privileged to be able to tour the home with so many of the personal items left intact. It gave a strong sense of how great architecture still needs to work for those who inhabit the space. The playful spirit of the family was not lost in the design of this large space and its furnishings. Thank you to those who continue to care for this site and the family to having generously donated it in the first place so that others might enjoy and learn. Definitely work the drive!

I have enjoyed my visits to Frank Lloyd Wright- designed houses, which are impressive, but have always found them a bit uncongenial as living spaces: the architecture seems to dictate the lifestyle too much. The Dow house has a lot to do with Lloyd Wright's style, but the use of color, space and relationship between the interior and exterior of the house was much more appealing to me. This was a house in which you felt you could really live! No architecture fan should miss this, but you don't have to be knowledgeable about that subject to love this house either.

We loved the tour of the home and studio. The docent was so knowledgeable and the design and architecture were so unusual.

The Alden Dow Home and Studio tour is very interesting for architecture buffs. I enjoyed the tour. Living in the area, I had heard a lot about Dow and the homes he had designed. This tour was very informative.

Excellent place to get acquainted with the local fauna and flora.Every year they have a native plant sale.

Alden Dow was a student of Frank Lloyd Wright and, in my opinion, took Wright's philosophy and practice to the next level. This is a large facility, but it has a lot ideas for designing and decorating spaces both large and small. Experiencing the intimate client receiving area--with windows level with the surrounding pond--then moving to the expansive living/dining area provides a real uplift to my spirits every time I visit; this was my fourth. Also highly recommended are the annual special tours of nearby homes designed by Dow--get on their mailing list from their web site.