Warner Mansion
Warner Mansion
33805 Grand River Ave, Farmington, MI 48335
Museum
The Governor Warner Museum is a Victorian Italianate structure built in 1867 by P. D. Warner, the Governor’s father, and is furnished in late Victorian style. Sitting on almost three acres, the house is surrounded by gardens lovingly tended by the Museum Garden auxiliary.
The Museum Grounds are available to rent for your special events such as weddings, self-catered porch lunches, etc. The grounds are also available for family photos. Please call 248-474-5500 for information.
The Museum always needs volunteers to help with these and many other activities.**
**The Museum is currently closed for construction.**
Gardens
The Governor Warner Museum and Gardens were accepted by the City of Farmington on December 23, 1980. The Governor’s grandchildren, Susan Slocum Klingbeil and William Wanton Slocum, Jr., gave the property to the city designing it be used for a Historical Museum. Since that time, the gardens have been planted and maintained by volunteers.
Edessa Warner Slocum, daughter of the Governor, was the last family member to occupy the mansion. She was a charter member of Farmington Garden Club, and an avid gardener. The existing Perennial Garden as well as many other trees and plants were planted by her.
The Gov. Warner Museum Gardens, which surround the lovely Victorian mansion, offer a beautiful attraction to visitors and passersby.
Click here for Group Use of Gazebo and Grounds Policies
Click here for Mansion Reservation Form
Gardens and Features
- Perennial Garden
- Wild Flower Garden
- Hazel Scheideman Fountain Garden
- Spicer Fountain
- Birdhouse
- Lily Garden
- Gazebo
- Veranda Gardens
- Edessa Warner Slocum Herb Garden
- Auxiliary Gardens
- Marie Walling Parker Rose Garden
- Antique Iron Fence
- Foot Bridge
- Euonymus Garden
- Circle Drive Spring Garden
- Portico and Veranda Boxes
- Stone Wall Garden
- Washington Hawthorne (Arbor Day, 4/22/82) Farmington Beautification Committee.
- Washington Hawthorne (5/4/82) Martha Warner Klingbeil Murphy and Peter Murphy in celebration of the first anniversary of their marriage in the Warner Gardens.
- Royal Crabapple (5/19/82) Ellen Abdou in memory of her father, Edward Lees.
- Royalty Crabapple (5/19/82) Doris L. Robertson in memory of her father, Edward Lees.
- Royalty Crabapple (5/25/82) Farmington Garden Club in memory of deceased member, Hazel Leland.
- Royalty Crabapple (5/25/82) Farmington Garden Club in memory of deceased charter member, Edessa Warner Slocum.
- Royalty Crabapple (5/25/82) Farmington Garden Club in memory of deceased member, Ella McCormick.
- Pink Dogwood (5/25/82) Shirley Richardson in memory of her father, Louis Volkema.
- Purple Leaf Beech (8/4/82) Fred Steinkopf, Jr. in memory of his father, Fred Steinkopf.
- Washington Hawthorne (5/25/82) Planted with surplus memorial money.
- White Pine (9/9/82) M/M William Hayward Klingbeil in honor of daughter, Susan Slocum Klingbeil II born 6/21/58.
- White Pine (9/9/82) M/M William Hayward Klingbeil in honor of daughter, Martha Warner Klingbeil Murphy born 5/14/52.
- Norway Spruce (9/9/82) M/M William Hayward Klingbeil in honor of son, William Hayward Klingbeil, Jr. born 1/7/51.
- Norway Spruce (9/9/82) M/M William Hayward Klingbeil in honor of son, Frederick Taylor Klingbeil born 3/5/56.
- White Pine (9/9/82) M/M William Hayward Klingbeil in honor of first grandson, Prescott Davis Murphy, son of Martha Warner Klingbeil Murphy and Peter Francis Murphy, born 9/2/82.
- White Pine (9/9/82) M/M William Hayward Klingbeil in honor of second grandson, George Lavallee Murphy, son of Martha Warner Klingbeil Murphy and Peter Francis Murphy, born 6/12/85.
- White Pine (9/9/82) M/M William Hayward Klingbeil in honor of granddaughter, Andrea Elizabeth Klingbeil, daughter of Denise Beebe and William Hayward Klingbeil, Jr., born 12/30/78.
- Specimen Double White Crabapple (9/9/82) In honor of the 7/30/49 marriage of Susan Warner Slocum Klingbeil (granddaughter of the Governor) and William Hayward Klingbeil.
- White Pine (10/4/82) Farmington Garden Club in memory of deceased member, Anne Garrier.
- White Pine (10/4/82) Farmington Garden Club in memory of deceased member, Eleanor Spicer.
- Crusgalli Hawthorne (8/21/85) M/M William Wanton Slocum, Jr. in honor of daughter, Ann Cooley Slocum, born 2/25/51.
- Crusgalli Hawthrone (8 /21/85) M/M William Wanton Slocum, Jr. in honor of daughter, Amy Earhart Slocum, born 5/24/52.
- Crusgalli Hawthrone (8/21/85) M/M William Wanton Slocum, Jr. in honor of daughter, Elizabeth Warner Slocum born 6/21/54.
- Crusgalli Hawthrone (8/21/85) M/M William Wanton Slocum, Jr. in honor of daughter, Joan Kennedy Slocum born 1/16/56.
- Crusgalli Hawthrone (8/21/85) M/M William Wanton Slocum, Jr. in honor of daughter, Margaret Susan Slocum born 10/16/57.
- Crusgalli Hawthrone (8/21/85) M/M William Wanton Slocum, Jr. in honor of the 7/24/48 marriage of Joan Kennedy and William Wanton Slocum Jr. ( grandson of the Governor).
- White Pine (4/4/83) Mrs. Rene Linden (Rosanne) in memory of her parents, M/M C.J. Rudesill.
- Double Pink Crabapple (4/18/83) M/M William G. Blakeney (Kay) in memory of Charles O. Walker, Jr.
- White Pine (Arbor Day, 4/21/83) Farmington Beautification Committee.
- White Pine (5/2/83) Farmington Garden Club in memory of deceased member, Ruth Paul.
- Tulip Tree A seedling from established Tulip Tree in front yard
- White Pine (6/08) in memory of Corey Micah Carr
- Double Flowering Crabapple (5/10/83) Hill and Dale Garden in Club in appreciation of members time and talent: June Pheil, Gretchen Pugsley, Dottie Vickland and Katie Wemyss.
- French Lilac (5/10/83) Hill and Dale Garden Club in honor of Ruth Simons.
- Hemlock (5/28/83) Grace Houghton Miller in memory of her husband Edw. L. Miller.
- 2 Benches (7/15) Farmington Garden Club in memory of Ann Auddette and Marge Perry
- Pear Tree (6/07) In honor of Nancy and Arthur Leonard
- Pear Tree (6/07) In honor of Nancy and Arthur Leonard
- Douglas Fir (6/17/83) Dr. & Mrs. Robert John Gaukler in honor of daughter, Ann Gaukler Unbehaun born 10/17/53.
- Douglas Fir (6/17/83) Dr. & Mrs. Robert John Gaukler in honor of daughter, Barbara Lynn Gaukler born 1/22/55.
- Spice Bush (6/06) W/M Gardeners in memory of Betti Pool's deceased mother, Madeline Aldridge Hope.
- Douglas Fir (6/17/83) Dr. & Mrs. Robert John Gaukler in honor of daughter, Susan Claire Gaukler born 7/19/57.
- Douglas Fir (6/17/83) Dr. & Mrs. Robert John Gaukler in honor of daughter, Diane Warner Gaukler born 10/19/60.
- Variegated Dogwood (2010) W/M Gardener's in memory of Al Britts, husband of Chris Britts
- Buxux Vardar Valley (8/21/85) 36 bushes-Gazebo, George M. and Mable H. Slocum Foundation
- Korean Lilac (7/15) 2 trees - Gazebo, Steinkopf Nursery
- Crimson King Maple (8/21/85) M/M Harve Bock and Memorial Fund in memory of his father, Richard Bock.
- Rhododendron (7/9/86) Fountain Fund.
- Rhododendron (7/29/86) Farmington Garden Club in memory of deceased member, Adelaide Henault.
- Rhododendron (9/24/86) Farmington Garden Club in memory of deceased member, Bena Groscop.
- Tulip Tree (8/15) Planted in memory of Allan Martindale Warner 1928-2012
- Norway Spruce (11/15/87) 22 trees, George M. and Mable H. Slocum Foundation
- Bradford Pear (10/87) Farmington Hills Garden Bluc, W.N.F. & G., in memory of deceased members Sandi Williams and Beverly Blakeny Wood
- Kousa Dogwood (8/21/85) 5 Trees, William Wanton Slocum, Jr., moved to east side carriage house.
- White Pines (8/21/85) 2 Trees, M/M William Hayward Klingbeil, moved to south side carriage house.
- Designed Oak (Existing tree) In memory of the marriage of Edessa Warner (daughter of the Governor) to William Wanton Slocum, 10/16/20.
- Ornamental Tree (9/89) Farmington Garden Club in memory of last deceased charter member, Marion Nelson
- Climbing Hydrangea (9/89) Farmington Garden Club in memory of deceased member Jean Henry.
- Norway Spruce (9/89) Farmington Garden Club in memory of deceased member, Helen Ely.
- Prunus Sargentii (Sargent Cherry (11/15/11) In honor of Frederick Maltby Warner II
- Var. Dogwood (6/10) W/M In memory of Christine Britts husband, AL
- White Pine in memory of Corey Micah Carr
Two Battery Benches M/M William Hayward Klingbeil.
Sprinkling System (7/10/85) George M. and Mabel H. Slocum Foundation.
Gazebo (9/15/85) George M. and Mabel H. Slocum Foundation (two-for-one grant) and area businesses.
Eleanor Goodenough Spicer Fountain (7/28/85)
Antique Iron Fence (1982) From West Farmington Cemetery, Twelve Mile and Halsted Roads.
Antique Bench M/M Harve Bock
Governor Warner Mansion Assessment Report Final
Mansion Feasibility Study Report
Martha and Edessa Sculpture
Step close to this beautiful garden sculpture of Martha and Edessa Warner and you will hear Edessa shyly asking her mother a question while playfully tugging on her mother’s skirt. Edessa is holding her doll and Martha holds a basket of roses… one rose has accidentally fallen to the ground at her feet.
This enchanting 5’ 2” sculpture is an inspired representation of Martha Warner, wife of Michigan Gov. Fred Warner and their five-year-old daughter Edessa. You will find it in the tranquil, beautiful gardens of the Warner Museum, Grand River Ave., west of Farmington Road.
The statue is the loving creation of Bernadette Zachara-Marcos, the 2002 Farmington Area Arts Commission Artist in Residence.
The sculpture required nearly nine months from concept to completion, explained Zachara-Marcos. “Working from 100-year-old pictures was really interesting,” she said. “And, it was truly delightful to meet Edessa’s daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter, all of whom attended the unveiling ceremony.”
Other works by Zachara-Marcos, a graduate of the Center for Creative Studies (1972), include a bust of Gov. Warner, which is located inside the Museum, a sculpture at Dunckel Middle School, the “Ring Around the Rosie” sculpture at Schoolcraft College and many private and public commissions.
Reservation Information
Check the calendar for availability:
Click here for Mansion Reservation Form