The Smith Home

This house, which dates back to 1868, was purchased in 1935 by Raymond and Annie Mae Smith from Thomasville, Georgia. Here, the couple reared ten children, born between 1930-1950. The Smiths were the only African American family to live in the city of Manistee for many years. As the years passed, the Smiths were active in the community despite prejudice and exclusion. The family provided support for other African Americans, offering them bed and board when they were refused accommodations as they passed through Manistee. Particularly, the Smiths put up entertainers from Idlewild as well as local theater troupes, including renowned actor James Earl Jones, who remains a friend of the family.