Presently
a Private Catholic Retreat Center
In
1916 William Edward Scripps, son of the founder of Detroit’s Evening News,
James E. Scripps, began purchasing large tracts of farmland in Orion Township
with an ambition to raise livestock and show animals. The estate, called Wildwood Farms, grew in size to roughly
720 acres and in the mid 1920s Mr. Scripps hired his brother-in-law, architect
Clarence E. Day to build a new home for his family on the northwest quadrant of
the property. Moulton Manor, a
magnificent Tudor style mansion was completed in 1927. Samuel Yellin and Oscar
Bach were hired to fabricate most of the interior and exterior metalwork for
Moulton Manor, while much of the stained glass, textiles and lighting were
imported from Europe. Moulton Manor
has served as a Catholic Guest House and Retreat Center since the 1950s and is
not open to the public.
Oscar Bach Steel Radiator Grille in Gallery
Oscar Bach Balcony in Foyer
Oscar Bach Spiral Staircase from Matlack Price, “Design & Craftsmanship in Metals, The Creative Art of Oscar B. Bach”, 1938
Oscar Bach Steel & Copper Alloy Symbolic Screen in Music Room incorporating themes of American and British Heritage
Photograph
of Scripps Screen in Music Room from The American Architect, May 5, 1929
This
gate was featured in the 44th Annual Exhibition of the Architectural
League of New York
Oscar Bach Bronze & Copper Eight Light Chandelier (Music Room)
Bronze Valance in Music Room attributed to Oscar Bach
Oscar Bach’s Oak Door fitted with Bronze & Iron Ornament bearing inscription, “None come too early, none return too late”
Illustration of the Scripps’ Front Door from Matlack Price, “Design & Craftsmanship in Metals, the Creative Art of Oscar B. Bach” 1938
Oscar Bach Forty Light Chandelier in Ballroom
Oscar Bach Steel Radiator Grille in Ballroom; Appears to incorporate symbols of strength (castle turrets, sun, helmet) Sacrifice (chalice, pelican, grapes) and Scripps family badge (shield with omega inscribed “prospecio”)
Friends of Oscar Bach wish to thank Sister Mae Kierans and Earl Kilbourn of the Scripps Guest House and Jim Tottis of the Detroit Institute for their assistance in providing information about Oscar Bach’s designs for the Scripps house.