Ann Arbor Historic District Commission

2018 Annual Ann Arbor Historic Preservation Awards

830 Avon Road, 1954

H. Richard + Florence Crane

Linda + Jim Elert

Rehabilitation Award:

"This was the first house designed by local architect Robert Metcalf. Built in 1954, the Cranes lived their entire lives there. Crane was a professor of Physics at UM from 1934-1978 and received the National Medal of Science from President Ronald Reagan. Florence served on city council for two terms and was the first woman on the board of National Bank and Trust.

The house is regarded as a premier example of the Mid-Century Modern style. It's been featured on tours by the advocacy group A2Modern, a group in which the Elerts have been quite active. It has also appeared in books about midcentury architecture in Michigan. Its distinctive features were lovingly restored by the Elerts beginning in 2012"