Gay Tidings We Bring: Palmer Woods Home Tour and Soirée Celebrates Queer Legacy in Style
How the super queer history of Palmer Woods contributed to its classic architectural beauty
Detroit’s Palmer Woods neighborhood isn’t just a showcase of architectural beauty — it’s a living tapestry of history, where LGBTQ+ voices have not only enriched the community’s cultural identity but also played a vital role in preserving its iconic landmarks. Every year, this vibrant legacy comes to life during the dazzling Holiday Home Tour and Soirée, drawing hundreds to celebrate the area’s elegance and heritage.
The 2024 festivities will include opportunities to tour five of Palmer Woods’ most elegant homes, showcasing the diverse architectural stylings found all in one neighborhood — of course, decked out with a bit of holiday flair.
Of course, as docents lead guests through the meticulously maintained time capsule that is Palmer Woods, they can’t avoid the historical LGBTQ+ presence found in the area.
Tim Retzloff, LGBTQ+ studies professor and historian at Michigan State University, said the surrounding area became an LGBTQ+ hotspot in the early ‘70s. 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. Detroit’s apartment offerings are different from that of other big cities, he explained.
“Detroit doesn't have a lot of apartments, unlike Chicago and New York,” Retzloff said.
“So certainly for free, young gay people coming out, there's a strong appeal. That’s part of the reason for the [LGBTQ+] concentration [in the Palmer Park apartment district].”
Retzloff explained that many LGBTQ+ individuals who moved to the architecturally rich Palmer Woods had much to do with the growth of Detroit and the flow of capital to newly established suburbs further out, comparing it to similar dynamics at play in historic Detroit neighborhoods such as Indian Village and Boston-Edison.
“In all three of these instances, in Indian village, in Boston-Edison and then in Palmer Woods, I think as the demographics of the city are changing and as capital is leaving the city, these homes become affordable,” Retzloff said. “Certainly among gay men, there's often this attraction to architecture and rehabilitating homes that plays into it. That's my sense of Palmer Woods being another phase of this movement.”
In the present day, Palmer Woods Board and Holiday Home Tour committee member Joshua Ronnebaum describes the Palmer Woods neighborhood as embodying a "culture of openness," with a strong and enduring LGBTQ+ presence.
He said that the connection between LGBTQ+ identity and the beautification and maintenance of Palmer Woods properties has much to do with aligned values.
“There's a sense that everyone in Palmer Woods has a commitment to the preservation of their homes and they understand what that means for other people as well,” Ronnebaum said. “People want to make the community better, make Detroit better — both in terms of architectural contributions and in terms of cultural contributions. I think that connects to the LGBTQ+ community because there are a lot of synergies between areas where the LGBTQ+ community focuses, such as arts and cultural contributions, that have great synergy with the interests of the residents of Palmer Woods.”
Similarly, Ronnebaum said that LGBTQ+ individuals have a unique understanding of why it's important to give back to the Palmer Woods community through the Holiday Home Tour.
“A lot of our work goes to improving the community, but we also donate a portion of our sales to local charities,” he said. “In addition to this aspect of cultural preservation and architectural preservation, there's a philanthropic aspect as well, which I think gets back to the interests of the LGBTQ+ community because we are a community that understands the value of giving back.”
Trevor Thomas, a Palmer Woods resident and owner of the Rose Estate (formerly the home of Detroit icon Aretha Franklin), expressed his honor in contributing to the rich tapestry of LGBTQ+ activism that shapes Detroit’s identity. Thomas will be hosting this year’s post-tour, continuing the legacy started by former Palmer Woods Board member Dale Morgan, who hosted the first soirée.
“I love Detroit's vibrant and fully engaged LGBTQ+ community,” he said. “We see it in the Palmer Woods area, but the truth is, we see it in neighborhoods and burrows and little communities throughout the city and region of Detroit. It's what makes Detroit strong as a city. I'm excited to be a part of it, and if we can host an event like this [soirée], which is benefiting Palmer Park and Palmer Woods, it's a step in the right direction to ensuring that it [the history of the Palmer Park area] can be enjoyed for generations to come.”
Thomas acknowledged that it takes an army to maintain the property and transform the Rose estate into a winter wonderland for the soirée. There are many LGBTQ+ leaders behind the scenes who have shown incredible support, and the home itself wouldn’t be in the perfectly preserved condition it’s in without the work of Detroit icons.
“Our pride and joy when we arrive at the house every day is that Miss Franklin and Miss Burnett chose to maintain and keep not only the slate roof, but many of the original features — nearly 90% of the home is still as it was in 1927; that is rare and extraordinary,” Thomas said. “Little do people know they should have the title of preservationist because they contributed greatly to being able to preserve the home.”
Community members can see the stunningly original red oak hardwood floors, ruby red bathtub and gold-gilded French sconces for themselves on Dec. 7.
In honor of the preservationist and Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin, the soirée’s evening entertainment will feature a tasteful blend of Franklin's music, other jazz numbers and holiday classics. Tickets also include access to a gourmet catered menu with a variety of meal and drink options.
Ticketing and more details can be found on the Palmer Woods website.
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