Kempf House

The Kempf House Museum, built in 1853, was home to the Kempfs, a busy German-American Family who lived and worked in the 1890′s.

Trained guides will lead you through restored rooms, including the music studio where the 1877 Steinway Concert Grand Piano remains as it has for over 100 years. Visitors will also hear about how Ann Arbor has grown into a prosperous city, a cultural center, and the home of the University of Michigan.The Kempf House Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and celebrating the Bennett-Kempf house, its garden and collections. This 1853 Greek Revival house is a unique resource because of its national architectural significance, downtown location, and the distinguished contributions of the Kempfs to the musical culture of Ann Arbor. By making the house accessible to the public, we seek to promote understanding and appreciation of our local history.

Kempf House also hosts a Fall and Spring Noon Lecture Series and various exciting social and historical events. Check the Events Page to see what is coming up this month!

Kempf House is open for guided tours on Sundays 1-4pm (except holidays), from September through December, and March through May. Check the Events Page for exact dates. Tours are also available by appointment for groups or individuals. Admission is free.During the spring and summer of 2006, we hired Judy Chrisman, Immediate Past President and current Collections Chair of the Washtenaw County Historical Society, to work with our own Curatorial Consultant, Carol Mull to catalog our entire collection using the new Past Perfect software purchased from the American Association for State and Local History. Collections Director, Ed Rice has also been working with them. The cataloguing process is now nearly completed.

From the south:

Take US-23 Exit 37 B to Washtenaw Avenue west ( Business Route US-23). Continue west and north on Washtenaw Avenue, which becomes Huron Street, (Business Route US-23) to Fifth Avenue. Turn left at Fifth Avenue and go south two and a half blocks, staying in the left lane. Kempf House is on Division Street, on the left.

From the north:

Take US-23/M-14 Exit 3 (downtown Ann Arbor) to Main Street south (Business Route US-23). Continue south on Main Street to William Street, turn east (left) on William Street and go three blocks to Division Street. Turn north (left) on Division Street (one-way street), stay in the left lane. Kempf House is on Division Street two doors north of the parking lot entrance, with a white picket fence.

From the east:

Take I-94 Exit to US-23 north. From there follow directions from the south above.

From the west:

Take I-94 Exit 171 to Jackson Road east which becomes Huron Street (Business Route I-94). Continue east on Huron Street to South Fifth Avenue. Turn right on South Fifth Avenue and go south two and a half blocks, staying in the left lane. Turn onto Divison Street, Kempf House is on Division Street, on the left.

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