Holiday home tour connects West Michigan history across three lakeshore communities

Three West Michigan lakeshore history groups are teaming up to tell a shared story of the people who helped build the region.

The Felt Estate, Holland Museum, and Zeeland Historical Society are joining forces to present From Mansion to Main Street: A Progressive Historic Home Tour on Friday, Dec. 11. 

The event, sponsored by the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council, blends the spirit of America 250 with a holiday twist. This full-day experience invites guests to step inside three architecturally and culturally significant historic homes, each decorated for the holidays, while discovering the people, families, and stories that helped shape West Michigan.

“As we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States, this partnership brings our individual stories together in a more connected way,” says Audrey Rojo, curator and interim director of the Zeeland Historical Society. “Each site offers a distinct perspective, providing insight into how the American Dream was understood and pursued by different people across generations.”

From the grandeur of the Felt Mansion to the historic neighborhoods of Holland and Zeeland, each stop offers a different perspective on the American experience. Together, the Felt Mansion, Cappon House, and the Dekker Huis Museum tell stories of ambition, immigration, innovation, entrepreneurship, and community-building, reflecting how generations of West Michigan residents pursued their own versions of the American Dream. 

“Pairing these stories with the beauty and traditions of the holiday season makes this a particularly special opportunity to experience our shared history and celebrate the communities we call home,” says Michelle Stempien, executive director of the Holland Museum.

Putting history in context

The day begins at the Felt Mansion with breakfast refreshments and a tour exploring the legacy of industrialist Dorr Felt and his wife, Agnes. Guests will then board a bus and travel to Holland for lunch at the historic Holland Armory. Afterward, they will tour the Cappon House, the 1874 Italianate home of Dutch immigrant Isaac Cappon, Holland’s first mayor and an influential figure in the city’s early development.

The journey continues at Zeeland’s Dekker Huis Museum for a tour of this historic home, where guests will learn about the Dekker family and their contributions to the growth of their community. 

The day concludes with cocktails before guests are transported back to the Felt Estate.

Throughout the day, museum and historic site staff will share stories and historical context, connecting the homes and their residents to the region’s broader history. Narration on the bus will provide additional opportunities to learn about the communities and landscapes that connect these historic sites.

“At the Felt Estate, we see history as something meant to be experienced, shared, and connected across communities,” says Elizabeth McEwen, executive director of the Felt Estate. “This partnership allows us to place the Felt story within a broader regional narrative, one that reflects not only innovation and industry, but also family, resilience, and the many ways people have defined home in West Michigan.” 

Advance tickets only

From Mansion to Main Street: A Progressive Historic Home Tour takes place Friday, Dec. 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $115 per person. Advance registration is required, and space is limited. For tickets and additional information, visit hollandmuseum.org or contact the Holland Museum at 616-796-3329 or hollandmuseum@hollandmuseum.org. Early reservations are encouraged.

The ticket includes breakfast refreshments, guided tours of all three historic homes, bus transportation, lunch at the Holland Armory, and closing cocktails at the Dekker Huis Museum. 

Due to the historic nature of the properties, only the first floors of each home are ADA accessible. Upper floors are accessible by stairs only.

Additionally, Zeeland Historical Society has two free holiday events planned at the Dekker Huis Museum, 37 E. Main Ave. in Zeeland.

The museum will serve free hot cocoa starting at 6 p.m. on Nov. 30 during Zeeland’s Christmas parade.

Families can visit Sinterklaas at the museum from 10 a.m. to noon on Dec. 5. Children can meet the Dutch holiday figure, enjoy a Dutch treat, and make a holiday craft. Families can also learn about the tradition and its history.

Registration is encouraged for the Sinterklaas event. For more information, visit zeelandhistory.org.