The Coe House
History
Constructed in 1871 for Henry Van Winkle, who owned and operated a hardware store and farm equipment "dealership" in Grass Lake. The Detroit-Chicago Traction Co. purchased the house in 1901. Herman Mellencamp, Sr. purchased the home in 1909. He raised a large family there including Floyd, who was a teller at the bank, and Fann Reynolds, who was a principal benefactor in the home's restoration. Catherine Walz was the next owner in 1926, raising her family there while renting rooms to tourists in the front room that is now the parlor. Archie and Myrta Coe became the owners in 1938, raising their family within. In 1971, the year of the Grass Lake Centennial, the Grass Lake Area Historical Society was formed, and in 1972, they bought the house from Myrta Coe..with the agreement from the family to designate it "The Coe House Museum".
Style & Restoration
The architecture of the home is Tuscan Vernacular. It has been furnished to represent a typical home of the Victorian Era.
Several volunteers and benefactors started the restoration in 1974. The brick was cleaned and tuck-pointed, the front porch rebuilt with gingerbread trim, a new roof added, insulation and paneling installed, ceilings re-plastered, and walls repapered in authentic styles. It was furnished by donations from area residents, and formally opened to the public at a dedication in 1977.
2026 Events - Grass Lake Area Historical Society
May 8 & 9, Fri & Sat
Fabric, Craft & Book Sale - 9 to 4
May 8, Saturday
Free Museum Day - 10 to 4
May 27 & 28, Wed & Thur
4th grade tour of Coe House Museum & Maple Grove Cemetery
July 16, Thursday
Chamber of Commerce “Mixer” at Coe House Museum
June 27, Saturday
Pre-GLAA banquet visit to Coe House Museum
July 4, Saturday
4th of July Parade – GLAHS Float
Sept 9, Wednesday
Dexter Antiquarians visit to Coe House Museum
Sept 12, Saturday
Heritage Day at Coe, Car Show by Veteran groups
Nov 29, Sunday
Christmas Auction at the GL Depot
2026 Museum Open Schedule
Coe House Museum will be open on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays from 10 to 4, May thru October. Tours of the museum and Maple Grove Cemetery are also available upon request.
Location & Contact Information
Coe House Museum, 371 W. Michigan Ave., P. O. Box 782, Grass Lake, MI 49240
Phone: 517 926-6070
Web: GLAHS. Org
Email: [email protected]
Grass Lake Area Historical Society Board of Directors 2026
President—Linda Hutchinson, [email protected]
Vice President—James Damaron, [email protected]
Sec-Treasurer—Joy Rosynek, [email protected]
Trustee—Lou Gallas, [email protected]
Trustee—Judy McCaslin, [email protected]
Trustee—Chris Trudell, [email protected]