John W. Blodgett Estate, Colonial Revival mansion in East Grand Rapids, United States
The John W. Blodgett Estate is a red brick mansion showcasing Georgian Revival style, set on eight acres near Fisk Lake with formal gardens and terraces. The two-story structure sits at 250 Plymouth Road SE and serves as an important property for Aquinas College.
John W. Blodgett, a prominent figure in the lumber business, commissioned the estate in 1928 during an era of significant wealth accumulation. His later involvement in consolidating multiple banks during the Great Depression demonstrated his influence over the region's financial sector.
The Blodgett family shaped the region through generous contributions to healthcare and education that remain visible in local institutions today. Walking through the grounds, you sense the legacy of philanthropy that defined their place in the community.
The estate can be explored on foot with views of the expansive gardens and grounds that invite leisurely walking through the property. Its location in East Grand Rapids makes it reasonably accessible, and the spacious grounds accommodate visitor parking comfortably.
The landscape and gardens were designed by the Olmsted Brothers, a firm celebrated for transforming how people think about outdoor spaces in America. The mansion itself was created by architect A. Stewart Walker of the Walker and Gillette firm.
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