The Haunting
Stuart Manor has already made one journey through Portage, but some believe one of its former residents traveled with it. Built in 1846 and relocated to the Celery Flats Historical Area nearly 150 years later, the Greek Revival home is rumored to remain occupied by the spirit of former U.S. Senator Charles E. Stuart.
William and Henrietta Welch built the house along West Milham Avenue, making it Portage’s oldest surviving home. Charles Stuart purchased the surrounding property in 1851 and used the house as a summer residence. Its features include a rubble-stone foundation, low second-floor ceilings and small windows set within a broad frieze band.
A prominent Kalamazoo attorney, Stuart served in the U.S. House of Representatives before representing Michigan in the U.S. Senate from 1853 to 1859. During the Civil War, he helped organize the 13th Michigan Volunteer Infantry but resigned as colonel after a few months because of poor health.
In the early 1990s, Portage moved and restored the house at the Celery Flats Historical Area. Yet some believe its past followed it.
Reports of unexplained activity center on the low-ceilinged upstairs bedrooms, where some believe Charles Stuart’s presence still lingers. Did his spirit follow the house across Portage, or does something else wait beyond the staircase in the city’s oldest home?
Contact
7340 Garden Lane,
Portage, MI 49002
(269) 329-4522
Opportunities for visitors:
Visitors may explore the Celery Flats Historical Area and view Stuart Manor from the surrounding park throughout the year. Interior access is available by appointment and during select community events, including building tours offered as part of Portage’s annual Fall Fest.
Stuart Manor is available to reserve for private gatherings, meetings and small events. The historic home accommodates up to 35 guests and includes tables, chairs, an indoor restroom and a warming kitchen. Rental rates and availability are listed through the City of Portage.
While visiting, guests can also explore the wider Celery Flats Historical Area, which includes an 1856 one-room schoolhouse, a 1931 grain elevator, the Hayloft Theatre, walking trails and interpretive features highlighting the history of Portage.
Days/times of operation:
The Celery Flats Historical Area is open throughout the year. Stuart Manor is available by appointment, through a private reservation or during select public events. Contact Portage Parks & Recreation before visiting to confirm interior access.
Costs:
Contact Portage Parks & Recreation for pricing.
Accessibility:
Partially. Visitors should contact Portage Parks & Recreation in advance to confirm which areas can be reached based on their individual mobility needs.