First restoration phase of Oakland Twp’s Main House is complete

Phase one of the restoration of the historic Main House in Oakland Township is done and the second phase is set to get underway this fall.The first phase, courtesy of Stephen Auger + Associates, consists of an interior restoration of the 2,000-square-foot mid-19th Century home. That includes intricate plaster work and an Arts and Crafts-style fireplace. Work on the rest of house in the Cranberry Lake Farms historic district is expected to begin again by early this fall once the historic district approves the plans.The Greek Revival-style house was built in 1840 by the Axford, Taylor, and Kline families, who farmed the land until 1908. Arts and Crafts-style additions were constructed in the early part of the 20th Century. It became the summer home of former U.S. Congressman and oil executive Howard Aldridge Coffin between 1939 and 1951.The historic district is inside the 233-acre Cranberry Lake Park. The house is now vacant but the township is deciding whether to turn it into a museum or open it for public use. Source: Christopher Aller, principal of Stephen Auger + AssociatesWriter: Jon Zemke