‘Light Up The Cabin: Palmer Park’ launches crowdfunding campaign

$25,000 goal to win matching grant through MEDC and MSHDA’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

Lansing, Mich. – Detroit’s only historic log cabin will be restored to its former glory with additional communal space and programming through a new crowdfunding campaign, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Michigan State Housing Development Authority and People for Palmer Park announced today. The campaign is being offered through Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity. 

“Bringing community together to celebrate its history can unite residents and generate renewed local pride” said MEDC Executive Vice President Greg Tedder. “We are pleased to partner with and provide Public Spaces, Community Places resources to this project to ‘Light Up The Cabin.’”

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $25,000 by October 28, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MSHDA and MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program. For project details and to donate, please visit: http://www.patronicity.com/palmerparkcabin.

"Preserving the Palmer Park Log Cabin and restoring the stained glass windows will help transform this abandoned landmark into a vibrant gathering space for community activities and a local asset in northwest Detroit," MSHDA Executive Director Kevin Elsenheimer said.

Building on investments from the city and People for Palmer Park, this funding will complete the renovation of this unique gathering space within Detroit’s 296 acre Palmer Park. By preserving this place of history and restoring the stained glass windows, the Palmer Park Log Cabin can be opened to the public on a more regular basis and transform this abandoned landmark into a thriving gathering space for activities, such as People for Palmer Park’s Children’s Story Time, history workshops, events, celebrations, and community visits.

“Palmer Park’s 130-year-old Log Cabin, thought to be the only authentic log cabin in Detroit, has been padlocked and forgotten for most of the past four decades — but this is about to change,” said President of the People for Palmer Park Rochelle Lento. “People for Palmer Park is thrilled to launch a campaign with the support of the Public Spaces, Community Places matching grant from the MEDC and MSHDA to restore the Cabin's stained glass windows and transform this abandoned landmark into a thriving gathering space. Through the generous support of the MEDC and MSHDA, the funds we raise through our Patronicity campaign to 'Light Up the Cabin' will be doubled and enable the community to once again have access to this historic space. “

Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, MSHDA, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity where local residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC. Communities, non-profits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan.

Pure Michigan is a brand representing business, talent and tourism initiatives across Michigan. These efforts are driven by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which serves as the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business growth, jobs and opportunity with a focus on helping grow Michigan’s economy.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.