Thompson Museum & Gardens located in Hudson, Michigan is opening to the public on a limited basis after a year of long, slow, and hard work. Curator Ray Lennard says that the first floor of the museum is all that will be open on a limited tour schedule while conservation and cataloging work continues on the huge collection.

When William G. Thompson passed away in late April of 2004, it was his wish that the William G. Thompson Foundation make arrangements to open his family home as a historical museum focusing on his life, preserving his collections, and communicating to the residents and visitors of the City of Hudson the history, collections, and spirit of William G. Thompson and his family. To do this, Lennard was hired as the curator to evaluate and interpret the three generations of contents of the house.

Visitors to the Museum can expect to see not only a fine example of a Queen Anne style house, built in 1890 by Gamaliel, which is an excellent example of the style. From the ornate metal roof to the ashler cut stone foundation, the home is breathtaking.

The interior of the home is filled to the brim with the collections of three generations of Thompsons. Visitors have the unique opportunity to see the changes that have occurred in the home from the years of living as personal styles of individuals have changed over the years.

In addition to the furnishings and details of the Victorian style of home decorating, the Museum holds a collection of fine art, including Oriental art (especially Japanese woodblocks, Jade, hard stone carvings, and cloisonné). The house is also home to a large antique porcelain and glass collection, compiled by William G. Thompson.

The gardens date to the 1890’s, with a major remodeling occurring in 1930; currently the Foundation is in the process of restoring the gardens to their 1940’s appearance.

William G. Thompson and the Thompson Family was an institution in the Hudson area from the 1860’s to present. William G. Thompson’s grandfather, Gamaliel, along with brothers Royal and William Baker saved their money from service during the Civil War, and opened what would become the Thompson Savings Bank in 1867. Gamaliel Thompson served on the Hudson Library Board from inception to his death in the 1920’s. William Royal Thompson, father of William G., served as president of the bank from the death of his father, until his own death in 1949 (serving on the Library board during that time frame as well). From 1949 until 1991, William G. served as president of the Thompson Savings Bank. The Thompson Family was also interested in the well being of the Hudson community, donating land and money to the city (Thompson Memorial Park), Hudson Area Schools (Thompson Field), and the Hudson Methodist Church. William G. Thompson served over 60 years on the Hudson Library board!

The museum is be open Monday and Wednesday from 12:45 to 3:30 PM. Tours are guided, and depart every half hour. Reservations are recommended; call 448-8125 or visit www.thompsonmuseum.org. Tours are available by appointment as well. To help defray the expenses of operating and maintaining the museum, admission is $7.50 for adults, seniors and students $5.00, and children 5 to 15 $3.00 All children must be accompanied  an adult.