Would-be historian has trouble drawing crowds for downtown Ann Arbor walking tours
Anyone who frequents downtown Ann Arbor has passed through the Nickels Arcade hundreds of times. But have you ever noticed the covered shopping mall projects two very different faces to the world—a grey, Beaux arts look on State Street and an art deco design of glazed yellow bricks on Maynard?
"I'd never really noticed that," said Don Levitt of Ann Arbor, the lone customer on Jacob Jabkiewicz's Ann Arbor Architectural Tour last weekend. Levitt had been living in Ann Arbor for 11 years but never noticed what was right in front of him.
The two faces of the Nickels Arcade. The Maynard entrance (left) features an art deco style, while the State Street entrance is a grey, Beaux arts look.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
That's exactly the effect Jabkiewicz hopes his tours have, but at the time being, his bigger concern is drawing customers.
“It’s cool what you can notice when you take a second to look,” Jabkiewicz says as the tour headed west on North University, shortly before wrapping up near the downtown Borders store where the tour began.
Since March, Jabkiewicz has been has been taking groups on hourlong walking tours to encourage local residents to slow down and enjoy the architecture of the downtown area.
The Ann Arbor Architectural Tour costs $5 and lasts an hour, but Jabkiewicz has had trouble drumming up much interest.
The tour starts just off the corner of East Liberty and Maynard, near the downtown Borders, and proceeds south on Maynard. Look up, and west, and you’re at the Tower Plaza Condominium, Ann Arbor’s tallest building.
Beyond Tower Plaza and the two faces of the Nickels Arcade, other landmarks featured include Angell Hall, the State Theatre, and the Burton Memorial Tower, arguably Ann Arbor’s best-known landmark.
But while Jabkiewicz can tell you who designed and built Tower Plaza, he knew nothing of the city’s cap on buildings taller than 180 feet when a guest asked why there weren’t more high-rises in Treetown. Ann Arbor is a “short” city by design, not happenstance.
Jacob Jabkiewicz is a budding architectural historian. But he's been having trouble drawing attention to his downtown Ann Arbor architectural tours.
Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com
Jabkiewicz’s short presentations are also a bit formulaic, consisting of the name of the building, the architect(s) who designed it, when it was built, and the style of the building.
No one is going to confuse Jabkiewicz, who bears a resemblance to the late comedian Sam Kinison, with local historians like Wystan Stevens or Grace Shackman, who can speak at length without referring to their notes. Jabkiewicz isn’t off-book yet, which lends itself to something of a robotic presentation. And relying on a written narrative doesn’t give him much wiggle room to improvise beyond previously-compiled research.
All of this is an effort on Jabkiewicz’s part to reach his ultimate goal, which is to be an architectural historian. But rather than wait for that title to be bestowed, Jabkiewicz has decided to put his knowledge into action.
"I love the cultural energy that abounds in Ann Arbor,” he said.
On tour days, Jabkiewicz commutes from Grass Lake in Jackson County.
"I thought I would have a better turnout in Ann Arbor, quite frankly. A lot of people care about the area," Jabkiewicz said last week after a 10 a.m. tour only drew Levitt.
"But maybe a Jackson tour is in my future," said the Lawrence Tech graduate, who recently earned his teaching certification from Eastern Michigan University.
Jabkiewicz will resume the Ann Arbor Architectural Tour on Saturday, Aug. 7. The tours begin at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. at the corner of East Liberty and Maynard.
James David Dickson can be reached at JamesDickson@AnnArbor.com.
Comments
Geek Chick
Tue, Jul 20, 2010 : 5:57 p.m.
As a reviewer, Dickson did a great job. No one wants to read PR spin. Yucko boring. He told me what I needed to know, so I can decide if I'd like to take this tour and part with $5. The answer is "no" I don't want to take this tour. Jabkiewicz doesn't know his subject matter well enough. I don't care if he reads from notes or recites from memory. What I care about is if he knows a lot more about the subject matter than I do. If architectural history is Jabkiewicz's passion, then he should be passionate - learn a lot and tell a great story!
mkm17
Mon, Jul 19, 2010 : 7:41 p.m.
I agree with the comments about the unnecessarily harsh and negative tone of the article/review. "No one is going to confuse Jabkiewicz, who bears a resemblance to the late comedian Sam Kinison, with local historians like Wystan Stevens or Grace Shackman, who can speak at length without referring to their notes." Such a statement, with its sarcastic overtone, did nothing to help or inform the reader, or to encourage the reader to want to take a tour.
Jessica
Mon, Jul 19, 2010 : 6:22 p.m.
this article is harsh. mr. jabkiewicz is trying to get started in this venture, and it seems in bad form for the writer to be so critical of him. i agree with the above posters that perhaps with a little more advertising, he could have a better turnout - and with more practice, he will likely improve his presentation. i commend mr. jabkiewicz for trying to follow his passion.
mrk
Mon, Jul 19, 2010 : 2:52 p.m.
I also am confused. Is this a review? It should probably say as much, but that's the way it reads. Do people review walking tour guides?
Mousedeva
Mon, Jul 19, 2010 : 11:41 a.m.
I will be happy to pass along this type of event to several walking groups on meetup I know of. Sounds interesting, esp. if he can expand the area of expertise!
mkm17
Mon, Jul 19, 2010 : 11:33 a.m.
My family would be happy to go on one of Jacob's tours!
rusty shackelford
Mon, Jul 19, 2010 : 11:02 a.m.
Maybe if he knew enough to give a good tour (i.e. not reading rotely off a book) and dressed less like a child molester he would get more business. Just a thought.
Jan
Mon, Jul 19, 2010 : 9:46 a.m.
The Washtenaw County Historical Society has a free self-directed walking tour "A Step Back in Time - A Walking Tour of Historic Ann Arbor." A downloadable (www.washtenawhistory.org) MP3 podcast walking tour of the historical locations and people who have lived in Ann Arbor. The route starts at the Museum on Main Street and takes walkers to Kerrytown, UM Central Campus, Downtown Ann Arbor, the Old West Side, and Lowertown. Maps and limited free parking at the Museum on Main Street, 500 North Main Street (at the corner of Beakes & E. Kingsley sts).
Deb
Mon, Jul 19, 2010 : 8:36 a.m.
I would have definitely gone had I known or heard about this, I love history and walking tours. I'm pretty much up on all the local happenings and events in A2 but I didn't hear or see a thing about this. I'd suggest better advertising before being disappointed in such a low turnout. Better luck next time.
LA
Mon, Jul 19, 2010 : 8:31 a.m.
Rather negative article. The facts could still have been presented honestly, but without the slant towards such a negative critique. A2.com LIKES Ann Arbor correct? WANTSa positive image? ENCOURAGES young college grads to stay and work here?? Hmmm. You'd never know if from this piece. Our future historian also needs to get the word out. This is the first I've heard of it. Spend this early part of your career memorizing your facts, keeping your note peeking to a minimum. Forget Jackson... How about keeping it local? Dexter, Ypsi, Chelsea? Advertise, advertise. Flyers, A2.com Bulletin Board, etc. Facebook Page, etc. How about taking your friends and family on a "free' tour periodically? You know them, you can practice reciting facts while not reading, you'd be out in public and people would see you with a group (do you have a 'sign' on your back? or on a hat?), or a designated spot to meet that shows who and what you are? What about permission to set up an old fashioned 'sandwich board' in front of your areas? Have local tourist spots/destinations help promote you by hanging your flyer in their window or on their local boards (Peaceable Kingdom, College bookstores and Apparel Shops, Kerrytown area), and as a trade-off use their building as a talking point - getting people to notice the shops wares and gain a possible customer for the store?? What about including coffee and a danish at a local interesting place (No Chains, please). Anyway... just some positive ideas for ya.
xmo
Mon, Jul 19, 2010 : 8:22 a.m.
Its great that this guy started his own business but I think he needs help with the marketing aspect of it. Maybe he should get involved with Ann Arbor SPARK. They have people who can help this guy.
gwncb
Mon, Jul 19, 2010 : 8:16 a.m.
It was, and still is, just too hot for me.
Elizabeth Nelson
Mon, Jul 19, 2010 : 7:58 a.m.
My impression, reading this story, is that the writer did the best he could do with the facts in front of him. My husband and I both found this to be an odd story, but I was impressed, at least, that it was well written (like the rare oasis in the desert...!).
ShadowManager
Sun, Jul 18, 2010 : 9:44 p.m.
This feature could have been a little more upbeat and positive, it's true. Is this news? Is this critique? Is this making fun of Jabxxwicz? While this tour seems a bit amatuerish, the central premise of the article should not be that the tour operator is a failure because he can't drum up business.