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House of David Historeum
and Preservation Society
Many years ago Siriano
set up the "House of David Historeum
and Preservation Society", which is a
Not-for-Profit corporation, focused on
saving every piece of House of David architecture, artifact, etc. that
they can possibly get to.
It is with
this Preservation group that Siriano hopes
someday to be able to fully restore
all of the remaining buildings now on
the House of David property, including the
"Shiloh Mansion", built in 1910
,a 100 room mansion with gorgeous
woodwork, magnificent towers, and
considered Michigan's largest home (of
which the elaborate roof alone has been
quoted to cost $100,000 to replace);
The Power Building, which houses
their huge turbine engines that they
used to generate their own electricity;
The Woodworking Shop, which is still
completely intact with its original
woodworking tools and machines dating back
to the teens; The Train Depots,
which is where the guests of the park
would board one of the 11 miniature
steam engine trains, and take the journey
back into the amusement park and zoo;
The Roundhouse, which housed all of the
trains, their components, and all of the
work to keep them all working properly;
The Jerusalem Mansion, built in 1905,
which is where the early meetings of the
faith existed, and which is also highly decorated
with exquisite woodwork, gorgeous
staircases, and fascination details.
There are additional buildings on the
grounds in need of restoration, but these
are the most important at this time.
The House of David Preservation Society
has already completely restored the
Diamond House Mansion, which was in
terrible disrepair, but which is now in
absolutely excellent condition. All
efforts were made to keep the entire structure
maintaining its original style and colors,
and period fixtures, etc were used to make
it look like it did when it was first
built in 1918. The
Diamond House was Benjamin Purnell's
private residence, and has huge historical
significance to the story of the House of
David, with its hidden passageways,
huge built-in vaults, and gorgeous
architecture. Its things like this
that the Preservation Society hopes to
attract grant money for, so the badly
deteriorating buildings can be saved
before its too late. Donations
are welcome for this work, and can be
earmarked for specific projects. Volunteers
are also welcome to participate in this
preservation project, and share in
the excitement of saving one of Michigan's
greatest pieces of history. sumamry
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