Harris Hall

Harris Hall is a building at 617 East Huron Street featuring red brick walls, yellow-gray stone trim, and Queen Anne-style architectural details with decorative brackets supporting the eaves. The interior contains three parlors, a reading room, a dining area, a kitchen, and basement recreational facilities including a bowling alley.

The building was constructed in 1886 as a student center dedicated to Christian education, funded through nationwide donations collected by Michigan Episcopal Bishop Samuel Harris. This foundation established it as an important space for student life during that era.

The second floor housed an assembly hall where educational lectures and public discussions took place regularly, while a free library offered thousands of volumes to visitors. This space served as a gathering point for intellectual exchange in the community.

The building is conveniently located on a main street where foot traffic is regular and the area is easy to navigate on foot. Since some interior spaces may have restricted access, it is worth checking beforehand which areas are open to the public.

Terracotta panels adorning the first floor windows are paired with colored glass transom lights on the second story, adding layers of decorative craft to the facade. These details reflect the period's attention to ornamental quality in building design.