Bell-Spaulding House (Tuomy House), 1854

2117 Washtenaw Avenue

Bell-Spaulding House (Tuomy House), 1854
Historical Society of Michigan

This is a well-preserved early farmhouse that reflects the change in local architectural tastes in the decade between 1854, when the rear ell was constructed for George W. and Jane E. Bell, and 1864, when the present front section was built for Frederick A. and Almina S. Spaulding. Its transitional Greek Revival style with Italianate finish typifies the better class of frame farmhouse of that period.

Some of the original finishes of the original Greek Revival home still exist: the wide floorboards of pine, simple baseboards, squared door and window en-framements, and stair balustrade. The additions, most likely built in 1864, overshadow the original portion of the residence in size and design. The formal entryway was reoriented toward Washtenaw Avenue with the construction of a two-story, Italianate styled block. Other additions made that year include shed-roofed extensions on the south side and another on the east extension, which was fitted out as the new kitchen. The back door was moved to an off-center location and fitted with a small porch. Several other modernizing changes have been made since that time.

Very little is known of the Bells except that they consolidated pieces of land in Ann Arbor township to create a farm, and they were the first to have an interest in developing the property rather than buying it for speculation. The Spauldings were descendants of early east coast settlers, coming to Ann Arbor from New York state in 1863. Since Frederick Spaulding was already in his mid-60's, they led a quiet farm life until his death in 1874. Two of the Spaulding sons became well-known in Ann Arbor, Frederick Austin Spaulding, Jr., as a Doctor of Medicine, and Volney Morgan Spaulding as a Professor of Botany at the University of Michigan and founder of the University Botanical Gardens.

In April of 1874, Patrick and Cornelius L. Tuomy purchased the 214 acre Spaulding farm. Cornelius L. Tuomy, one of nine children of Timothy and Joanna Roach Tuomy, was raised on a Scio Township farm where his father had cleared 367 acres in the 1830s. Cornelius lived as a bachelor on the former Spaulding farm for eleven years before he married Julia Ann Kearney, described by a biographer (Beakes, 1906) as a "woman of rare intelligence, social power and popularity." Cornelius was a good agriculturist with varied interests. He was a successful dairy farmer and, with Patrick, was well-known for his ownership and breeding of several prize race horses. His sheep were sometimes reported in the local press as wandering down Washtenaw Avenue. Two of their children, Kathryn and Cornelius W. (Bill) Tuomy, formed a partnership and as the city grew, they developed the property and sold insurance from an office in the house. In 1930 they built the unusual and picturesque fieldstone Tuomy Hills Service Station down the road at the junction of Washtenaw and the "cutoff" (Stadium Boulevard).

When Bill Tuomy died in 1966, his will provided that the house be given to the City for some historic purpose. On March 16, 1968, by agreement with the City, the executors deeded the house and two acres of land to the University of Michigan. The University furnished some of the rooms in elegant Victorian style and arrangements were made for the house to be headquarters for the Historical Society of Michigan and the Academy of Arts, Science and Letters. In 1982 the house was transferred with its contents to the Society. The Society has worked since on the total restoration and maintenance of the house.