Charles Trowbridge House Detroit: Visiting Hours, Tickets & Historical Sites Guide

Date: 04/07/2025

Introduction

The Charles Trowbridge House is Detroit’s oldest documented building, standing as a tangible testament to the city’s rich early history and architectural heritage. Built in 1826 by Charles Christopher Trowbridge—a pivotal figure in Detroit’s civic and business development—this Federal-style home offers visitors a rare glimpse into the city’s 19th-century evolution. From its origins on former French colonial farmland to its Victorian-era modifications and adaptive reuse, the house embodies nearly two centuries of Detroit’s cultural and architectural transformations.

Located at 1380 East Jefferson Avenue, the Charles Trowbridge House is not just significant for its age but also for its unique blend of Federal and Victorian elements, including a distinctive three-sided bay window and a surviving stable. Although currently a private property serving as office space, the house occasionally opens its doors for special events and guided tours, welcoming history enthusiasts, architecture aficionados, and curious travelers.

This guide covers everything you need to know for planning your visit, including visiting hours, ticketing, accessibility, guided tours, travel tips, and nearby attractions such as the Detroit Riverwalk and Belle Isle Park. For the most up-to-date information, check the Detroit Historical Society and the Trowbridge Law Firm website.

Table of Contents

Early History and Construction

Built in 1826 by Charles Christopher Trowbridge, the house stands on land that was once part of the original French ribbon farms—specifically, the Mullett farm, granted to Charles Chauvin. The $2,500 construction reflected Trowbridge’s stature and intent for a family residence. Typical of rural homes of the time, the house’s original orientation placed River Road (now East Jefferson Avenue) behind it, a layout that shifted as Detroit expanded.


Architectural Evolution

Federal and Greek Revival Origins

The Charles Trowbridge House exemplifies early 19th-century Federal and Greek Revival styles, with a balanced five-bay façade, central hallway, and simple, symmetrical detailing. The house’s original design included both front and rear entrances for flexible access and ventilation—a common practice in domestic architecture of the era (Detroit Historical Society; Wikipedia).

Victorian Modifications

In the late 19th century, Victorian elements, such as a projecting three-sided bay window and decorative pediment, were added to the façade, reflecting changing tastes and the increasing wealth of Detroit’s residents. Around 1850, a brick rear addition and stable were constructed, and in 1889, the eastern two bays were removed to accommodate an adjacent apartment building (Curbed Detroit; Wikipedia).

Materials and Craftsmanship

The original structure used locally sourced wood framing and clapboard siding, with a gabled roof. The later brick addition signaled Detroit’s shift toward more fire-resistant construction as the city urbanized (Detroit Historical Society).

Preservation and Adaptive Reuse

The house was recognized as a Michigan State Historic Site in 1974 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. Despite periods as a rooming house and later a single-family residence, it has been carefully preserved and today houses private offices (Wikipedia).


The Trowbridge Family and Later Occupants

Charles Trowbridge resided here until his death in 1883, after which the house remained with his family for decades. In the late 1920s, it served as a studio for Detroit artist Roman Kryzanowski. The Great Depression saw it converted to a rooming house, but in 1942, Marie Cavanaugh restored it as a single-family home.


Preservation and Current Use

Now a Michigan State Historic Site and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Charles Trowbridge House continues its legacy as a part of Detroit’s living history. Today, it serves as office space for firms such as the Trowbridge Law Firm and Trowbridge Realty, ensuring its continued preservation (Trowbridge Law Firm).


Visiting the Charles Trowbridge House

Visiting Hours

The house is not regularly open for public tours, as it is a privately owned property. However, special events and guided tours are occasionally offered—always check the Detroit Historical Society or Trowbridge Law Firm website for announcements.

Tickets and Admission

There is no regular admission fee. Ticket information for special events or guided tours is provided in advance via official channels or Detroit tourism platforms (Tourist Places Guide).

Accessibility

Due to the historic nature of the building, wheelchair access is limited. Visitors with mobility needs should contact event organizers ahead of time for accommodations.

Guided Tours

Guided tours are only offered during select events. These tours provide in-depth historical and architectural insights and are highly recommended for those interested in Detroit’s heritage (Detroit Historical Society).

Travel Tips

  • Parking is available along East Jefferson Avenue and nearby streets.
  • Bring a camera—architectural details like the Victorian bay window and Doric-columned entrance make for excellent photos.
  • Plan to explore nearby attractions such as the Detroit Riverwalk or Belle Isle Park for a well-rounded visit.

Nearby Attractions

The Charles Trowbridge House is ideally located for exploring other Detroit landmarks:

  • Detroit Riverwalk: Enjoy scenic views and public art installations.
  • Belle Isle Park: A historic island park with gardens and museums.
  • Detroit Institute of Arts: Renowned for its extensive art collection.
  • Greektown: Offers dining, shopping, and cultural experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What are the Charles Trowbridge House visiting hours?
A: The house is not regularly open, but special open house events may be listed on the Detroit Historical Society or Trowbridge Law Firm.

Q: Is there an admission fee?
A: No regular admission fee; event or tour fees may apply during special openings.

Q: Is the house wheelchair accessible?
A: Accessibility is limited. Contact organizers in advance for specific accommodation requests.

Q: Are guided tours available?
A: Only during select historical events—watch for announcements on official websites.

Q: Where can I park?
A: Street parking is available on East Jefferson Avenue and nearby areas.


Conclusion

The Charles Trowbridge House is more than just Detroit’s oldest residential building—it’s a vivid link to the city’s early days, architectural heritage, and evolving urban landscape. Though primarily in private use, periodic tours and events offer unique opportunities to engage with Detroit’s foundational history. Combine your visit with other nearby attractions for a comprehensive Detroit experience.

For the latest updates on visiting hours, tours, and events, consult the Detroit Historical Society and Trowbridge Law Firm.


Resources and Further Reading


Ready to discover more? Download the Audiala app for curated tours, event notifications, and insider insights on Detroit’s historic sites.

Visit The Most Interesting Places In Detroit

1001 Woodward
1001 Woodward
1300 Lafayette East Cooperative
1300 Lafayette East Cooperative
150 West Jefferson
150 West Jefferson
Albert Kahn Building
Albert Kahn Building
Albert Kahn House
Albert Kahn House
Alden Park Towers
Alden Park Towers
Ambassador Bridge
Ambassador Bridge
Argonaut Building
Argonaut Building
Assumption Of The Blessed Virgin Mary Church
Assumption Of The Blessed Virgin Mary Church
Belle Isle Aquarium
Belle Isle Aquarium
Belle Isle Park
Belle Isle Park
Bennett Park
Bennett Park
Bernard Ginsburg House
Bernard Ginsburg House
Cadillac Place
Cadillac Place
Cadillac Tower
Cadillac Tower
Calihan Hall
Calihan Hall
Campus Martius
Campus Martius
Cass Motor Sales
Cass Motor Sales
Cathedral Church Of St. Paul
Cathedral Church Of St. Paul
Cathedral Of The Most Blessed Sacrament
Cathedral Of The Most Blessed Sacrament
Central United Methodist Church
Central United Methodist Church
Chapel Of St. Theresa-The Little Flower
Chapel Of St. Theresa-The Little Flower
Charles H. Wright Museum Of African American History
Charles H. Wright Museum Of African American History
Charles Lang Freer House
Charles Lang Freer House
Charles Trowbridge House
Charles Trowbridge House
|
  Children'S Hospital Of Michigan
| Children'S Hospital Of Michigan
Clay Office And Conference Center
Clay Office And Conference Center
Col. Frank J. Hecker House
Col. Frank J. Hecker House
Coleman A. Young International Airport
Coleman A. Young International Airport
Comerica Park
Comerica Park
Consulate-General Of Japan, Detroit
Consulate-General Of Japan, Detroit
Crowne Plaza Detroit Downtown Riverfront
Crowne Plaza Detroit Downtown Riverfront
David Whitney House
David Whitney House
Denby High School
Denby High School
Detroit
Detroit
Detroit Club
Detroit Club
Detroit Cornice And Slate Company Building
Detroit Cornice And Slate Company Building
Detroit Historical Museum
Detroit Historical Museum
Detroit Institute Of Arts
Detroit Institute Of Arts
Detroit Masonic Temple
Detroit Masonic Temple
Detroit Opera House
Detroit Opera House
Detroit Plaindealer
Detroit Plaindealer
Detroit Public Library
Detroit Public Library
Detroit Receiving Hospital
Detroit Receiving Hospital
Detroit Street Circuit
Detroit Street Circuit
Detroit–Windsor Tunnel
Detroit–Windsor Tunnel
Dorothy H. Turkel House
Dorothy H. Turkel House
Dossin Great Lakes Museum
Dossin Great Lakes Museum
Dry Dock Complex
Dry Dock Complex
Duane Doty School
Duane Doty School
Dunbar Hospital
Dunbar Hospital
East Jefferson Avenue Residential Tr
East Jefferson Avenue Residential Tr
Edmund Atkinson School
Edmund Atkinson School
Edsel And Eleanor Ford House
Edsel And Eleanor Ford House
Eighth Precinct Police Station
Eighth Precinct Police Station
El Tovar Apartments
El Tovar Apartments
Elisha Taylor House
Elisha Taylor House
Elmwood Cemetery
Elmwood Cemetery
Elwood Bar
Elwood Bar
Federal Reserve Bank Of Chicago Detroit Branch Building
Federal Reserve Bank Of Chicago Detroit Branch Building
First Congregational Church
First Congregational Church
First National Building
First National Building
First Presbyterian Church
First Presbyterian Church
First Unitarian Church Of Detroit
First Unitarian Church Of Detroit
Fisher Building
Fisher Building
Ford Field
Ford Field
Ford Piquette Avenue Plant
Ford Piquette Avenue Plant
Fort Shelby
Fort Shelby
Fort Street Presbyterian Church
Fort Street Presbyterian Church
Fort Washington Plaza
Fort Washington Plaza
Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne
Fox Theatre
Fox Theatre
Frederick K. Stearns House
Frederick K. Stearns House
Garden Bowl
Garden Bowl
Garden Court Apartments
Garden Court Apartments
Garden Theatre
Garden Theatre
Gem Theatre
Gem Theatre
George W. Loomer House
George W. Loomer House
Grande Ballroom
Grande Ballroom
Greektown Casino Hotel
Greektown Casino Hotel
Greenfield Union School
Greenfield Union School
Greenfield Village Station
Greenfield Village Station
Griswold Street
Griswold Street
Guardian Building
Guardian Building
Hamtramck Disneyland
Hamtramck Disneyland
Harmonie Centre
Harmonie Centre
Harmonie Club
Harmonie Club
Harper University Hospital
Harper University Hospital
Henry Ford Hospital
Henry Ford Hospital
Herman Strasburg House
Herman Strasburg House
Historic Trinity Lutheran Church
Historic Trinity Lutheran Church
Hitsville U.S.A.
Hitsville U.S.A.
Hudson-Evans House
Hudson-Evans House
Inn At 97 Winder
Inn At 97 Winder
Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue
Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue
James A. Garfield School
James A. Garfield School
James Scott Memorial Fountain
James Scott Memorial Fountain
Joe Louis Arena
Joe Louis Arena
L. B. King And Company Building
L. B. King And Company Building
Lewis College Of Business
Lewis College Of Business
Little Caesars Arena
Little Caesars Arena
Maccabees Building
Maccabees Building
Majestic Theatre
Majestic Theatre
Manoogian Mansion
Manoogian Mansion
|
  Mariners' Church
| Mariners' Church
Mcgregor Memorial Conference Center
Mcgregor Memorial Conference Center
Merchants Building
Merchants Building
Mgm Grand Detroit
Mgm Grand Detroit
Michigan Bell And Western Electric Warehouse
Michigan Bell And Western Electric Warehouse
Michigan Central Station
Michigan Central Station
Michigan Science Center
Michigan Science Center
|
  Michigan Soldiers' And Sailors' Monument
| Michigan Soldiers' And Sailors' Monument
Monument To Joe Louis
Monument To Joe Louis
Moross House
Moross House
Most Holy Redeemer Church
Most Holy Redeemer Church
Motorcity Casino Hotel
Motorcity Casino Hotel
Mulford T. Hunter House
Mulford T. Hunter House
Music Hall Center For The Performing Arts
Music Hall Center For The Performing Arts
Nellie Leland School
Nellie Leland School
Old Main
Old Main
One Detroit Center
One Detroit Center
Orchestra Hall
Orchestra Hall
Our Lady Of The Rosary Roman Catholic Church
Our Lady Of The Rosary Roman Catholic Church
Packard Automotive Plant
Packard Automotive Plant
Pasadena Apartments
Pasadena Apartments
Penobscot Building
Penobscot Building
Perry Mcadow House
Perry Mcadow House
Pewabic Pottery
Pewabic Pottery
Philip A. Hart Plaza
Philip A. Hart Plaza
Professional Plaza Tower
Professional Plaza Tower
Redford High School
Redford High School
Renaissance Center
Renaissance Center
Riverside Park
Riverside Park
Riverwalk Hotel Detroit
Riverwalk Hotel Detroit
Rouge Park
Rouge Park
Sacred Heart Major Seminary
Sacred Heart Major Seminary
Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church
Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church
|
  Saint Andrew'S Hall
| Saint Andrew'S Hall
|
  Saint Andrew'S Memorial Episcopal Church
| Saint Andrew'S Memorial Episcopal Church
Saints Peter And Paul Church
Saints Peter And Paul Church
Samuel L. Smith House
Samuel L. Smith House
Savoyard Centre
Savoyard Centre
Scarab Club
Scarab Club
Second Baptist Church
Second Baptist Church
Sibley House
Sibley House
Sidney D. Miller Middle School
Sidney D. Miller Middle School
St. Albertus Roman Catholic Church
St. Albertus Roman Catholic Church
St. Boniface Roman Catholic Church
St. Boniface Roman Catholic Church
St. Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Church
St. Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Church
|
  St. John'S Episcopal Church
| St. John'S Episcopal Church
|
  St. Josaphat'S Roman Catholic Church
| St. Josaphat'S Roman Catholic Church
St. Joseph Shrine, Detroit
St. Joseph Shrine, Detroit
St. Mary Roman Catholic Church
St. Mary Roman Catholic Church
St. Stanislaus Bishop And Martyr Roman Catholic Church
St. Stanislaus Bishop And Martyr Roman Catholic Church
St. Theresa Of Avila Roman Catholic Church
St. Theresa Of Avila Roman Catholic Church
|
  St. Thomas The Apostle'S Church
| St. Thomas The Apostle'S Church
Ste. Anne De Detroit Catholic Church
Ste. Anne De Detroit Catholic Church
Stuber-Stone Building
Stuber-Stone Building
Sweetest Heart Of Mary Roman Catholic Church
Sweetest Heart Of Mary Roman Catholic Church
Tcf Center
Tcf Center
The Fillmore Detroit
The Fillmore Detroit
The Kean
The Kean
The Leland Hotel
The Leland Hotel
The Whittier
The Whittier
Theodore Levin United States Courthouse
Theodore Levin United States Courthouse
Tiger Stadium
Tiger Stadium
Tushiyah United Hebrew School – Scott Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church
Tushiyah United Hebrew School – Scott Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church
United Artists Theatre Building
United Artists Theatre Building
University Of Detroit Stadium
University Of Detroit Stadium
Verona Apartments
Verona Apartments
Vinton Building
Vinton Building
Wayne State Arena
Wayne State Arena
Wayne State University
Wayne State University
West Canfield Historic District
West Canfield Historic District
Westin Book Cadillac Hotel
Westin Book Cadillac Hotel
William C. Boydell House
William C. Boydell House
William G. Milliken State Park And Harbor
William G. Milliken State Park And Harbor
Willis Avenue Station
Willis Avenue Station