Save Ashland’s Legacy — Stabilize One of Detroit’s Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood Oldest Homes
This isn't just about saving a house; it's about preserving history, honoring community, and confronting injustice. I bought this home years ago, unaware of its profound history and hidden secrets. Now, it's in critical disrepair and desperately needs restoration to protect its historical significance. Although a Michigan court acknowledged the seller fraudulently misrepresented the property's condition, the awarded judgment was unexpectedly low. Compounding the challenge, the defendant recently filed a questionable motion to postpone payment, while the home's condition continues to worsen. This important Detroit historical home and its story are featured on, "Mysteries of the Abandoned: Hidden America - Season 4, Episode 9."
This GoFundMe represents my final opportunity to protect my home from collapse.
Why This Home Matters
This Detroit home at 847 Ashland, a former speakeasy during the Prohibition era, was once owned by a prominent Detroit figure. He was instrumental in bringing major league hockey to the city, among other achievements. Built right off the river, the home was designed for entertainment, and one can only imagine the historical figures who passed through its doors.
Upon restoration, my goal is to have the home designated as a historical landmark. I plan to convert it into a museum-like space that will serve as a hub for artists, history enthusiasts, and tourists.
This house isn’t just mine—it’s one of the oldest in the neighborhood, part of a trio of historic sister homes on Ashland. If it collapses into the sinkholes forming beneath it, the two adjacent homes may fall with it. That’s not just personal loss—it’s a cultural and architectural tragedy.
• Basement & sinkhole repairs: ~$85,000
• Full stabilization (foundation, balconies, walls, floors, water damage, brickwork): ~$275,000
• Historic speakeasy restoration: TBD (but potentially supported by Nicole Curtis, who’s filming again)
I have all the paperwork, quotes, and documentation. This is real, urgent, and solvable—with your help.
History of House
Charlotte Berry Sherrard, daughter of Joseph Berry (for whom a sub-on-Jefferson is named), was a prominent figure and developer of the land this home sits on. She headed media and fundraising for the Michigan Suffragette Movement, eventually becoming President of international Suffragettes. As a land developer, she petitioned the City of Detroit twice for lateral sewer lines on Ashland to facilitate her building projects. She ultimately quitclaimed alleyway land to Detroit in exchange for these sewer lines.
This home was constructed by Ed Winer, a Russian Jewish immigrant. Winer was a prolific builder of apartments and homes in Detroit before moving on to develop properties in Miami. He built the Victory Apartments on Collingwood, adjacent to Collingwood Manor, the site of the Purple Gang Massacre; it is believed he built both structures. Notably, in Miami, he consistently built properties in sets of two or three. It is thought his sister married into the Purple Gang family.
The original owner of the home was Frank A. Westbrook, a significant figure in Detroit. He owned a realty company with offices in the original GM building (now Cadillac Place), next to the Fisher Building. Westbrook was a member of the DAC and part of a group of businessmen responsible for bringing a hockey team to Detroit and building Olympia Stadium. All three individuals mentioned — Sherrard, Winer, and Westbrook — were socially acquainted, their interactions documented in society pages. They were also friends and partners with other well-known figures of their time, including the Dodges, Lodges, and Murphys.
A New Chapter, A Deeper Calling
I’ve begun my dream job teaching art at the College for Creative Studies, a significant step forward in my career. However, I carry the responsibility for this home's future. I am committed to preserving this space, not only for the Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood but also as a source of inspiration, learning, and discovery for all of Detroit.
This home is a living archive, a symbol of resilience, and a place where history, art, and justice converge.
How You Can Help
• Donate what you can—every dollar helps stabilize the foundation, literally and symbolically.
• Share this campaign with others who care about Detroit, justice, and preservation.
• Connect me with allies—especially if you know Nicole Curtis or others who champion historic restoration.
Let’s save this piece of Ashland together. For the neighborhood. For the city. For the story that still needs to be told.
Organizer
Kimberly Holt
Organizer
Detroit, MI