Ann Arbor in Washtenaw County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Kempf House
Photographed by Joel Seewald, October 17, 2018
1. Kempf House Marker
Cast iron grilles in an ancient Greek floral motif highlight the frieze of this temple-front Greek Revival house. Built in 1853 for Henry D. Bennett, Secretary and Steward of the University of Michigan, it became the home and studio of local musicians Reuben H. and Pauline Widemann Kempf in 1890. Trained in Germany, Mr. Kempf (1859-1945) taught piano and organ. Mrs. Kempf (1860-1953), a graduate of the Cincinnati Conservatory, taught voice. The City of Ann Arbor purchased the house in 1969, and in 1983 it became the Kempf House Center for Local History.
Erected 1988 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L236.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.
Location. 42° 16.734′ N, 83° 44.654′ W. Marker is in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in Washtenaw County. It is on South Division Street north of East William Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address:
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan and in Greater Detroit. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Residential Life in Mid-19th Century Ann Arbor (within shouting distance of this marker); At Home in the 19th Century (within shouting distance of this marker); The 19th-Century Neighborhood (within shouting distance of this marker); From Liveries to Taxis (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Uptown Theaters (about 600 feet away); Michigan Theatre (about 700 feet away); Antislavery Society (approx. 0.2 miles away); Central Title Service Building (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ann Arbor.
Also see . . . The Remarkable History of the Kempf House. Article that appeared in the Ann Arbor Observer
Photographed by Joel Seewald, October 17, 2018
2. Kempf House and Marker
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, June 3, 2025
3. Ann Arbor Historic Building and NRHP Markers
Credits. This page was last revised on January 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 448 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 18, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 3. submitted on December 28, 2025, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.
