Ann Arbor in Washtenaw County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The James Foster House of Art
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 10, 2021
1. The James Foster House of Art Marker
In 1913 James and Clarice Foster attached a modern addition to their Italianate home and rooming house and moved their "House of Art" store from its original location on the corner of Liberty and State. The addition "stands as peaceful and well-balanced as a Venetian palace," Foster wrote Emil Lorch, its designer and long-time head of the UM architecture program.
Foster's was the premier place to buy gifts and art objects. One patron recalled, "Everything was a treasure." The art included paintings, frames, Rookwood pottery, imported china and brass, statuettes, jewelry, and "rare odd things." Furniture was sold upstairs. A popular tearoom occupied the first floor of the old house.
After UM alumni had left town, many continued to make purchases from Foster's large mail order business. The store closed in 1941.
Sponsored by the Issa Family
We wish to thank the Ann Arbor community for its partnership over the years. Its embrace of cultural diversity and acceptance of change has guided our success. Through promotion of ideals of peace, family values and tolerance, we hope to contribute to a stronger, more vibrant community.
Photos courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library and the Ann Arbor Community Foundation.
Erected by Ann Arbor Historical
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.
Location. 42° 16.778′ N, 83° 44.456′ W. Marker is in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in Washtenaw County. Marker is on South State Street north of East Liberty Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 222 South State Street, Ann Arbor MI 48104, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ideation Building (a few steps from this marker); Town and Gown: Entertainment and Changing Culture (within shouting distance of this marker); Michigan Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); Ann Arbor High School (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Uptown Theaters (about 400 feet away); From Liveries to Taxis (about 400 feet away); FUMC's BSA Troop 4 (about 400 feet away); The University Expands (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ann Arbor.
Photos courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library and the Ann Arbor Community Foundation.
2. The James Foster House of Art Marker — top images
Top image caption: Foster's Art Goods Store, 213-215 South State Street, 1914.
Top image inset caption: Customers credited Clarice Foster with much of the store's success. UM student Jesse Daley, right, one of the boarders who also worked in the store, described her as a "lady of the first order and very artistic." James Foster is at left.
Top image inset caption: Customers credited Clarice Foster with much of the store's success. UM student Jesse Daley, right, one of the boarders who also worked in the store, described her as a "lady of the first order and very artistic." James Foster is at left.
Photos courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library and the Ann Arbor Community Foundation.
3. The James Foster House of Art Marker — bottom left image
Foster added a Tudor front before he sold the building in 1939 to Goodyear's, a successful downtown department store that wanted to relocate its campus store. After Goodyear's closed this store in the late 1950s, further changes were made to the front. Both buildings were broken up into numerous shops.
Photos courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library and the Ann Arbor Community Foundation.
4. The James Foster House of Art Marker — bottom right image
The original art glass windows (circled) can still be seen in the front of the Lorch addition.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 10, 2021
5. The James Foster House of Art Marker
The marker is on the building at 222 South State Street, but it is about the building in the middle of the image at 216 South State Street.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 19, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 205 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 19, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
