Scarab Club

The Scarab Club, located at 217 Farnsworth Street in Detroit, Michigan, is a historic organization and clubhouse committed to the promotion of the arts. Founded in 1907, it has played a significant role in the cultural landscape of Detroit for over a century, fostering a community of artists, educators, students, and patrons. The club is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and is also designated as a Michigan State Historic Site.

History

The Scarab Club originated in 1907 as the Hopkin Club, named in honor of Robert Hopkin, a prominent Detroit marine painter^[1]. Following Hopkin’s death later that same year, the organization was renamed the Scarab Club^[2]. It quickly became an important force in Detroit’s artistic and cultural life. Initially, the club operated out of various temporary locations for nearly two decades before deciding to construct a dedicated clubhouse^[3].

In 1927, Lancelot Sukert was unanimously chosen as the architect for the new clubhouse^[4]. Sukert, a Detroit native, had studied architecture at multiple universities, including the University of California, Columbia University, and the University of Pennsylvania^[5]. He had also served in the aviation section of the Signal Corps during World War I and gained experience working with Albert Kahn before establishing his own practice. Notable architects who were members of the Scarab Club at the time included Albert Kahn, Eliel Saarinen, William Chase Straton, and Maxwell Crylls^[6]. Sukert later served as president of the Michigan Society of Architects beginning in 1928 and, in 1939, became chief architect for the Federal Housing Authority in Washington, D.C.^[7].

Culture

The Scarab Club was founded to promote the arts and continues to uphold that mission today^[8]. It maintains a fellowship comprised of artists, educators, students, and patrons, all committed to supporting artistic endeavors. The organization’s early activities included the establishment of the first Michigan Artists Exhibition in 1911^[9]. This exhibition served as a platform for Michigan artists to showcase their work and gain recognition.

The Scarab Club sponsored the Michigan Artists Exhibition for seventeen years, until 1928, at which point the Detroit Institute of Arts took over its sponsorship^[10]. The club’s ongoing commitment to the arts is evidenced by its continued operation and its role as a gathering place for the artistic community. The club provides a space for artists to connect, exhibit their work, and engage in creative dialogue^[11].

Geography

The Scarab Club is situated at 217 Farnsworth Street in Detroit, Michigan^[12]. The building’s coordinates are 42°21′35.46″N 83°3′46.15″W^[13]. The location places the club within the city of Detroit, providing access to the broader cultural resources and opportunities available in the metropolitan area.

The clubhouse itself, designed by Lancelot Sukert, is a significant architectural landmark^[14]. Its design reflects the architectural styles prevalent in the 1920s, and it contributes to the historical character of the surrounding neighborhood. The building’s presence on Farnsworth Street adds to the area’s cultural and aesthetic appeal.

Notable Residents

While the Scarab Club does not maintain a list of long-term *residents*, its membership has included many notable figures in the art and architecture fields. Robert Hopkin, the marine painter for whom the original club was named, was a key figure in the Detroit art scene^[15]. Albert Kahn, a renowned architect known for his industrial designs, was a member^[16].

Other prominent members included Eliel Saarinen, a Finnish-American architect known for his Art Deco designs, William Chase Straton, and Maxwell Crylls^[17]. These individuals, along with many others, contributed to the artistic and architectural heritage of Detroit and the broader region. The club served as a forum for these artists and architects to collaborate, share ideas, and support each other’s work.

History

Culture

Geography

Notable Residents

See Also