Palmer Woods 2025 Summer Home Tour Celebrates Historic Neighborhood's Rich LGBTQ+ Legacy
Annual garden party showcases architectural preservation and community values that have drawn queer residents for decades
The Palmer Woods Association's 2025 Home and Garden Tour on July 26 promises to be more than just a showcase of stunning architecture and manicured landscapes. This year's event continues a long tradition of celebrating a neighborhood where LGBTQ+ residents have played a vital role in preserving Detroit's most elegant historic homes.
The tour, presented by Amazon, will feature 10 locations ranging from garden-only experiences to full-home tours, including a meticulously restored 1925 Tudor Revival recently featured in Crain's Detroit Business and the gardens of Frank Lloyd Wright's iconic Turkel House. But beyond the architectural splendor lies a deeper story of community preservation that has strong ties to Detroit's LGBTQ+ history.
According to Tim Retzloff, LGBTQ+ studies professor and historian at Michigan State University, the Palmer Woods area became an LGBTQ+ hotspot in the early 1970s. Following the Detroit uprising of 1967, there was a migration from what is now known as Midtown to the apartment district near Woodward and McNichols, with many eventually settling in the architecturally rich Palmer Woods neighborhood.
"Certainly among gay men, there's often this attraction to architecture and rehabilitating homes," Retzloff previously told Pride Source, noting how LGBTQ+ residents were drawn to Palmer Woods as demographics shifted and historic homes became more affordable. Today's Palmer Woods continues to embody what resident Joshua Ronnebaum calls a "culture of openness" with a strong and enduring LGBTQ+ presence. He sees natural synergies between LGBTQ+ community values and the neighborhood's commitment to architectural preservation.
The summer tour will culminate in an exclusive Garden Party for ticket holders, featuring chef-prepared fare, seasonal small bites, and a curated silent auction. Like the neighborhood's famous Holiday Home Tour, a portion of proceeds will benefit local charities and foundations.
Tours begin at 10 a.m. with the latest entry at 5:30 p.m. Shuttles will transport guests between homes from off-site parking across Seven Mile Road. Early ticket purchase is advised due to limited attendance. For more information, contact [email protected] or (313) 744-2624.
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