It has been said that, "AT ITS BEST, PRESERVATION ENGAGES THE PAST IN A CONVERSATION WITH THE PRESENT OVER A MUTUAL CONCERN FOR THE FUTURE."

- WILLIAM MURTAGH

Let me introduce myself.......

As one of many concerned community members regarding the fate of the Ammi Wright house, I decided that I could no longer sit still and not come to action with the rest of the community. Old houses are one of my passions, I'm an old soul, anything that once was of an era gone by leads me consistently down a rabbit hole wanting more. More information, more history, well I think you get the point. My Husband and I purchased Saravilla Bed and Breakfast in 2019 because of my old soul. Not to distract from the Wright House Restoration, but I promise there is a connection.

I first saw and admired the Wright House back when I was a teenager. I have always been drawn to stone houses and this house was absolutely beautiful but upon walking further down N. State Street admiring the other old stately homes I came to an abrupt stop when I saw this very large mansion on the corner of Orchard and N State (Saravilla) I just stood there completely dumbfounded, (most likely drooling) at the site and size of this house. Its stately pillars hugging the porch, had so much beautiful detail, the lead glass windows, the gorgeous chimneys, and the list of admiration could go on and on. I instantly fell in love with that house. Over the years, anytime I was in Alma I would drive down State Street still admiring these old homes but always make a slow and I mean slooowww drive pass by the Ammi Wright house and then again, a really slooowww or complete stop at the Saravilla. Thinking back, I hope the prior owners weren't thinking, "SHE'S BACK AGAIN, staring at our house!"  Needless to say, I was obsessed with this house.

Over the many, many years of stalking, oops I meant driving by Saravilla, I knew deep in my soul that this house was meant to be mine. I needed to be the next caretaker. I had done my research, lightly in the past, getting bits and pieces of information on the history and the original family but when we took on this challenge (old houses are a challenge, if you know.... you know) I dove in waist deep to find everything and anything history had to share with me. Sarah Hale Wright Lancashire and her husband Dr. James Henry Lancashire were the original owners. Sarah was the daughter of Ammi Wright. This is the connection I was referring to earlier!

To share the brief history of Ammi Wright and the Wright home, it would be easiest for you to Click Here. So, I am going to speed this up a bit and start with where it all began and how we have gotten to where we are at currently!  The Ammi Wright House has been abandoned for many years but not without great intent! Each owner ( Bless their soul!) has had the inspiration to put the pieces of the puzzle back together and give it the life it deserves, but with each owner it has been a huge undertaking and expense to make these great ideas come to fruition. Each owner has left their mark with good intentions but we all realize that this house is not a job for one person, it will take a village to restore the look and feel of an era gone by.  I think that it is important that we all acknowledge that each and every owner gave it the best shot they could. 

 "Attention energizes, Intention transforms!" 

Back in December of 2023 talk around purchasing the Wright House began, (you could hear the rumbling of excitement in our community like a cat who just instantly woke from a nap after hearing the squeak of a mouse) and on the coldest night in January of 2024 a community meeting was held to discuss and share information around how can WE as a COMMUNITY could save this historical beauty and keep it from further disrepair.

We decided to GO FOR IT! With the gracious help of the Gratiot County Historical and Genealogy Society (GCHGS) and many donations received from community members, in just 10 DAYS we raised enough money to purchase the house! The house is now under ownership of the GCHGS.

After the purchase was made a Steering Committee of 11 members was adopted by the GCHGS Board and working groups where formed to begin the efforts of the restoration project. Our Steering Committee and working groups are made up of community volunteers! If you would like to volunteer in any of our working groups click here or to receive our newsletter you can sign up here.

Some of the groups are Community Fundraising, Grant Writing, Historical Research just to name a few. We would love for you to join and provide input as it takes a village!

We hope that you follow our journey or take part in a working group or become a member of the GCHGS or simply make a donation, so we can continue to work towards achieving the completion of this project and restore a BIG part of our communities history. This stately home may be the end of an era, but it will be the start of a new chapter.

Tune in to find out what happened next...........

If you would like to follow our Blog we will also post this link to our Facebook page , be sure to like and follow and check back weekly for more to the story as well as updates of this community project to restore the Wright House.

Best Regards,

Rochelle