E. R. Homins Sites

Located inside The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum is one of many “incredibly detailed, two-sided oak signs showing scenes of the island’s heritage,” that were hand-carved by WPA artisans. This example, "Retail Store // American Fur Co // 1818 - 1834" was carved by E. R. Homins. The carver's name and 'WPA' are inscribed.

On display at the Stuart House City Museum on Mackinac Island are four (or possibly five) of what were many "incredibly detailed, two-sided oak signs showing scenes of the island's heritage," that were hand-carved by WPA artisans. As of 2017 the examples housed here are: "1634 - 1635 First Explorer Passed This Way" by J. W. Miximong "1817 to 1834 Home of Robert Stewart Resident Mgr. American Fur Co." by E. R. Homins , by E. R. Homins "Built 1818 Home of Edward Biddle Clerk American Fur Co." by E. R. Homins "1817 - 1834 Warehouse American Fur Co." (Living New Deal is unsure if this is an original marker, restored by Dale Gensman,...

"On Mackinac Island, several WPA engravers created incredibly detailed, two-sided oak signs showing scenes of the island's heritage." Hand-carved, many were created for placement outside the island's historic buildings. After decades of decay, Carpenter Dale Gensman rescued seven signs from disposal and undertook a multi-year project to restore them. According to the Oakland Press, "each sign stands about 3.5-feet-tall, 2.5-feet wide and weighs almost 300-pounds." As of 2017 the remaining seven signs, since restored, can be found at four different sites on the island, one in use and six on display:  in front of the Mackinac Island Courthouse;  on display at the Stuart House City Museum;...