The historic I-House architectural style was predominant throughout the rural areas of Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa—hence its name. Traditionally the I-House has side facing gables one room deep, a minimum of two rooms width and two full stories high, often with Greek Revival or Italianate embellishments. This interpretation by architect/artist Bob Holdeman honors the legacy of past settlements in Michigan while encouraging discussion of the historical significance of architecture in our culture.
It represents our roots and suggests the “homeplace” and safety of unchanging memories. Look around as you drive through the countryside and you will often still see the shadows of I-Houses along the roads and villages you pass through.
The piece is also a memorial to Art Park Founder, David Barr, who felt strongly about the inclusion of architecture in Michigan’s story, and to the artist’s son John, who lived out his life in an I-House—his dream of home.
Photo by Michael Poehlman
Photo by Michael Poehlman
Photo by Michael Poehlman
A Dream of Home was made possible by the many generous contributions in memory of John Holdeman and by these amazing collaborators:
Maurice & Betsy Allen · Vicki & William Anderson · Betsy & Charles Arcari · Jon & Mary Armstrong · Ruth Bay · David & Susan Beattie · Ginny & Doug Bishop · Jack & Joanne Brown · Matthew Cain · Kathleen Carpenter · Carol & John Coonrod · Robert Cornwell · Cynthia Crawford · Michael & Teckla Dettmer · Patricia DeYoung · Pollyanne Dux · Kathy & Harry Eiferle · Walter & Susan Feiger ·
Susan & George Foote · Don & Nancy Fraser · Ruth Frost · Renae Gurthet · Carolyn & Dan Habel · Hagerty Insurance · Erie Heermann · Renee & Chris Hintz · Robert & Jane Holdeman · John & Dian Holdeman · Richard & Diane Holdeman · Michele & Scott Howard · Barbara Johnson · Kevin & Carolyn Kelly · Donna & Jeff Kozisek · Barbara Lasusa · Keith & Mary Ann Leak · Jim & Chris MacInnes ·
Michael & Susan McIntyre · Lizbeth Messing · Anne Mudgett · Kathleen O’Hara · Clarine Olson · Grant & Paulette Parsons · Patty Pelizzari · Rebecca Peterson · Richard & Susan Pletcher · Ken & Joan Richmond · Timothy Roache · William & Anne Rock · Marena Sabo · Lyn & Pat Salathiel · John Suzette · Paul & Ann Schwartzkopf · James & Carol Seidel · Serbin Real Estate · Kathryn & Robert Shaw · Jackie & Seamus Shinners · Donald & Leslie Sibery · Sean & Blythe Skarshaug · Marlene & Dave Steider · Terry & Michael Tarnow · Suzy Voltz · James & Stephanie Walter · Paul & Delphine Welch · Tom Whitaker · Patricia Wiley · Sydney & Daniel Wilson · Mark & Carole Woodward · John & Peggy Zachman
Metal Fabrication by Darin Fetter and Steve Bint, North Shore Iron Works
Angelo Vozza, Avanti Engineering LLC, Structural Consultant
Renee Hintz and Kaz McCue, Michigan Legacy Art Park Project Planning (2016-2018)
Site Excavation and Sculpture Assembly by Webster Construction
James Schettek
David Webster
Raymond Aprill
Chad Young
Kevin Kelly
Lawrence Martindale
Site Assistance by Crystal Mountain
Kirk Davidson
Steve Kirbach
Jason Farah
John Melcher
