Moross House, Detroit, Michigan

In Detroit, Michigan there are a number of homes and businesses that have been around for more than a century. One particular place for residents and visitors to enjoy is the Moross House. This house is the oldest surviving brick home in Detroit. This factor alone is what places it on the National Register of Historic Places. It received this distinction in 1972. There are conflicting accounts as to when the house was actually built. Some believe the house was constructed in the 1840's by Christopher Moross, while others put it at 1855.

Whether the 1840's is right or not, the house has been opened as a museum, with furniture and decorations based on the 1840's rather than the next decade. The house changed ownership throughout the many decades, eventually being purchased by the Detroit Historical Commission in the 1920's. It was restored in 1971 to 1973 to be opened up for visitors. It is also the current home of the Detroit Garden Center.

The Garden Center is a non-profit organization. It provides tours of the house, the parlor and hallway. The people running the tours also offer education on garden activities. They focus on educating people regarding gardening, flowers, and the 1840's. There is a tour of the facility and the small garden area the Center has planted. At Christmas there are special open houses to show the old fashioned Christmas theme. The decorations are all relevant to the 1840's. The house is also open in February for an orchid display with a lecture and sale of the plants.

The Moross House can be described as a three bay structure, much like a townhouse. It was built in the Federal Style when the Greek Revival was occurring. This means much of the house details are in the Greek Revival style. There are heavy stone lintels and sidelights. This works to transform the front of the house. The building is two stories in height with a river limestone foundation. The roof has parapets and is covered with wood shingles. The shingles have had to be replaced over the last century to keep it looking good and to keep rain damage to a minimum. The wood shingles are ordered to look like the originals. There are also two chimneys on the roof that offer a symmetrical appearance. On the rear of the house is a single story addition and one on the side of the house as well.

The Anthropology Museum of Detroit did some work in 1969 with the Moross House. On a dig they excavated a couple of areas. During this period any materials found were excavated and taken to the museum where they are on display. The collection from the backyard provides a number of clues to the early history including how the land was used as a dump by those demolishing the neighboring home. Ceramics, clay pipe fragments, and porcelain items were found during the dig. Also Earthenware, Blue Edgeware, and Mochaware were found with the excavation of the land.