Preservation Detroit

Preservation Detroit was founded in 1975 as Preservation Wayne, a student organization at Wayne State University. Students Allen Wallace and Marilyn Florek came together to fight the demolition of historic campus properties. The organization’s first save was the David Mackenzie House, then slated for demolition for a sewer line. With the help of like-minded individuals, this small campus organization not only halted the destruction of the historic 1895 Queen Anne residence, but also raised over $220,000 to save and restore the building, creating a new home for Detroit’s first preservation organization.