By James Windell
The annual Cottage Walk in South Haven began as a way for residents and visitors to step inside some of South Haven’s historic homes, cottages, and landmark buildings – many of which are admired from the outside but rarely open to the public.
Now celebrating its 29th year, the Cottage Walk has grown into a major annual fundraiser supporting two civic organizations: SHOUT for South Haven, a nonprofit focused on beautification, public events, and community improvement, and The Scott Club, a Michigan Historic Site known for arts, culture, and preservation programming.
This year’s Cottage Walk will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2026.
“This year’s featured lineup is an eclectic array of residences unique to our community,” says spokesperson Patti Sheppard. “Participants who are longtime residents of South Haven especially will have an opportunity to take a step back in time with a visit to a converted neighborhood school.”
In addition, Sheppard says, there will also be an opportunity to experience the accents of a 19th century-style Italianate villa, visit a uniquely constructed modular home and enjoy the features of a newly built home.
“Topping it off with a visit to the Michigan Historic Site Scott Club will make for a memorable afternoon,” she adds.
Event attendees can visit the cottages on the tour at their leisure from 12:00 noon until 5:00 p.m. Volunteers at each cottage will provide an historical perspective of the site. Tours of the Scott Club will run from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm.
Highlighting South Haven’s architectural diversity are four unique cottages on this year’s tour:
76670 14th Ave., South Haven: Rod and Val Sievers built “Our South Haven Retreat” in 2000 as their fulltime family residence. The stately manor began as a 3,000 square foot modular home built in an Indiana factory in just ONE week. Three weeks later, the home was delivered to the current site in four sections. The builders set it up in three hours, but it took another 6 weeks to finish the interior, adding two porches, a breezeway and garages. With the finished lower level, the cheerful home grew to a spacious 5,000 square feet. Features include an open concept, unusual 26 years ago, with four bedrooms, three and a half baths, three fireplaces, home offices, a recreation room and a home theater. The living space carries outdoors to the two porches and multi-level deck overlooking the peaceful, landscaped one acre lot, where wildlife abounds.
14805 Crest View Court, South Haven: Welcome to a stunning, new construction cottage nestled on a prime, wooded acre lot. This tranquil property is a fine example of the quality and lifestyle that makes Wood Crest a highly sought after South Haven community. Wood Crest is a gated neighborhood known for its privacy, natural beauty, and tight-knit atmosphere. The house was thoughtfully designed by Cottage Home with soaring, high ceilings, four bedrooms, three and a half baths blending timeless elegance with warm, cozy details throughout. The open-concept gourmet kitchen with a dining area and walk-in butler’s pantry, creates both beauty and function for everyday living and entertaining. At the heart of the modern lifestyle home, a sprawling all-seasons room offers a spacious dining room, warm stone fireplace, and wooded views from every angle.
615 Indiana Ave., South Haven: Kirk and Jennifer Wiley purchased the Indiana School in 2015, beginning a decade-long stewardship journey of preservation and renewal. In 1898, 128 years ago, the school was the pride of South Haven as its first ward school and the pinnacle of local education. The school, a Michigan Historic Site, was designed by Frank S. Allen and constructed by William Buck for nearly $5,000. Originally called Ward One School, there were four classrooms on two floors for 115 students, kindergarten through 6th grade. The school closed in 2005. With a stunning 2026 transformation, visitors will tour the third floor modern residence, featuring the Explorer’s Room, and a “secret” library hidden behind a 19th century facade. The library serves as the home’s crowning jewel, housing artifacts and family treasures and bridging the school’s academic past with a modern spirit of adventure. A professional dance studio has been adapted seamlessly into a guest suite. Many tasteful updates have been done by the Wileys including the luxurious bathrooms. Although never a classroom space, the ground floor has many charming childhood details. The owners have painstakingly introduced period school lighting throughout. Hardware is either original or carefully replicated. Many of the charming art pieces are 1890s reproductions. Transom windows in the 13-foot high rooms helped to keep the climate comfortable. Large windows in the bedrooms and on the walls facing west to Lake Michigan took advantage of the prevailing winds.
6303 113th Ave., Fennville: Albert Gibson, a Chicago antiques dealer, and his partner, Gary Hardina, designed their Italianate style villa on a 17-acre estate in 2008. Chris Lozano of Custom Cabinetry Inc. was the builder. The meticulous construction of the 19th century design took a year and a half. Look for the hipped, low-pitch roof, wide, overhanging eaves and tall narrow windows with decorative hood moulds. It is as if we have stepped into the Italian countryside. The exquisite five bedroom, three and a half bath home has soft yellow walls with high ceilings throughout to highlight the breathtaking fine art collection and antique furnishings. The classic decor is beautifully edited and arranged to complement the architecture. Albert specialized in period lighting, introducing rare fixtures throughout. Some antique fixtures were gaslit and converted to electric. Period millwork was either reproduced or repurposed from antique pieces. The modern, functional kitchen blends beautifully with the home. A serene screened-in porch extends the owners’ living space to the outdoors on warm days and evenings. The European-style formal gardens can be explored at your leisure.
“Partnering with SHOUT has strengthened our fundraising and is making a positive impact in these times of rising costs,” said Scott Club President Carol Anderson Kunze. “Proceeds from this year’s Cottage Walk will be used in support of our mission to provide arts and cultural programming in our Michigan Historic Site.”
Tickets for the Cottage Walk are $20 person. The advanced purchase of tickets is encouraged as a capacity sale is anticipated. Tickets are on sale during normal business through June 26 at the South Haven Chamber of Commerce, 606 Phillips Street, and the South Haven Visitors Bureau, 546 Phoenix Street. They will also be sold on the morning of the Cottage Walk at the Farmers Market in downtown Dyckman Park.
