Herbert H. Dow House

The Herbert H. Dow House is a residential building in Midland with a wood-frame construction featuring two and a half stories, varied roof lines, and windows of different styles and sizes. The structure sits within an extensive garden property that forms part of a larger horticultural complex open to visitors.

The house was built in 1899 as the residence of Herbert H. Dow, founder of the Dow Chemical Company. He pioneered chemical extraction methods that changed industrial production and established the company's headquarters in this region.

The house shows how successful industrialists of the early 1900s designed their homes and gardens as spaces for both living and leisure. The rooms reflect the values of that era, when wealthy manufacturers took pride in their domestic surroundings alongside their business achievements.

The property offers guided tours of the house and gardens throughout the year, with regular hours maintained for visitors. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended, especially if you plan to explore the extensive garden grounds.

Herbert Dow was as devoted to his gardens as to his chemical innovations, personally curating the plant collections that still grow on the property today. This passion for horticulture was unusual for a major industrialist and gives the estate a rare character that few other industrial founders' homes possess.

Location: Michigan

GPS coordinates: 43.61639,-84.24722

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:40