As Proprietor of the Glenn Manor, Vicki L. Amberg has achieved a dynamic career as a Michigan event planner, creating and planning special occasions and events for both individuals and groups. With over 15 years of proven, exceptional performance in marketing, public relations and the hospitality industry, she has conceived and launched successful events for Century 21® divisional headquarters, Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate Service (a division of Meredith Corp.) and Amway Corporation. In addition to her extensive ties in the local community, her service has been featured in the Chicago Tribune and Sales & Marketing Management magazine.
Vicki L. Amberg is also a proud member of the International Special Events Society (ISES) and the Glenn Area Business Association.
Originally from Michigan, Vicki has been a resident of Glenn for over 12 years, during which time she commuted to Chicago on a weekly basis to pursue her career. Since that time, she has been pleased and proud to utilize her talents locally.
Let Vicki put her expertise to work planning your next corporate event, management retreat, business meeting or other group event. Glenn Manor, a historic bed and breakfast, is also an elegant venue for hosting an unforgettable special occasion such as a wedding, bridal or baby shower, holiday party or family reunion.
Our History
On their journey from Ohio in 1857, Benjamin C. Tourtellotte and his wife Sarah arrived in Glenn, Michigan, known then as Crawford’s Corners.
Although the earliest settlers of Glenn arrived by an ox-drawn covered wagon, this 6th generation of the Tourtellotte family, originally from France, had the financial means to load their household goods onto a train and transport them from Ohio to Kalamazoo, Michigan. At that time, Kalamazoo was the end of the railroad; however, the Kalamazoo River offered them continuation of their journey to the shore of Lake Michigan.
It was at the Kalamazoo River that their possessions were loaded onto a raft which took them to Singapore, where the river emptied into Lake Michigan near the modern-day town of Saugatuck. From there, the Tourtellotte’s were taken along the lakeshore to Pier Cove by a lumber baron. The final leg of their journey was by ox sled to the location of the original family home in Glenn -- a log cabin which was situated on the back acres of the existing house, known today as the Glenn Manor.
The 1860 census gives an indication as to how Benjamin Tourtellotte prospered in his new surroundings. Just three years after his arrival, he owned 40 acres of improved land, 120 acres of unimproved land, 2 cows, 2 oxen, 2 beef cattle, 10 sheep and pigs.
That year, he had also produced 50 bushels of wheat, 100 bushels of buckwheat, $30 worth of orchard products, 100 pounds of butter, 5 tons of hay, 25 pounds of bees wax and 120 pounds of honey, among other things.
This was a satisfying return from the land that had been heavy forest just a few years before. Benjamin and Sarah Tourtellotte had 3 children: Daniel Dow (D.D.), Frank and Julia. The eldest son, D.D., became the proud first President of the Glenn Pier Co., Ltd., which pioneered the shipment of lumber from the lakeshore of Glenn to Chicago, where it was used to help re-build the windy city following the great Chicago fire of 1871.
From then forward, the Glenn Pier Co. found further success with shipments of fruit and vegetables. To this day, the remains of the Glenn Pier are visible from the Glenn beach, located ½ mile west on 114th Avenue.
In 1884, D.D. Tourtellotte built the existing house, known today as the Glenn Manor. The home was constructed with wood taken off its very land. Among many things, the home is famous for its beautiful parlor with sculpted ceilings.
The parlor served as a gathering point, with a history of weddings of local residents through 1890 and beyond. Upon renovation, line drawings of D.D. Tourtellotte were found etched on the existing walls, which were since covered for preservation.
D.D. Tourtellotte was an acquaintance of William Jennings Bryan, who served as Secretary of State from 1913-1915, and was a three-time Democratic nominee for President of the United States. Modern day discussion among local residents insist that Mr. Bryan was a well-known visitor of the Tourtellotte home.
As a 7th generation member of the Tourtellotte family, Daniel Dow (D.D.) married Sarah (Overhiser), and they also had 3 children: George Benjamin, Julia and Mack Donald.
Mack Donald had 3 sons with his wife Florence -- Dee, Donald and Alan. Alan was the 9th generation and last family member to own the now Glenn Manor, with his wife Wildarene. Alan and Wildarene had a son, Donald Alan, who resides in Grand Rapids, with his wife and two sons.
In 1993, Wildarene sold the house to Vicki Amberg, the two of whom kept in contact until she passed away in 2001. Upon her purchase, Vicki was the first person outside of the Tourtellotte family to own the home in 109 years. Wildarene was aware of Vicki’s plans to one day open the home as a B & B, and was very pleased at the prospect, which has since become a reality.
The town of Glenn, Michigan is known as the “Pancake Town”, which became famous for warmth and hospitality when local residents opened their doors to over 200 stranded motorists during the blizzard of 1937. With many unexpected visitors and a dwindling grocery supply, a delivery of pancake flour made to the local store (just ahead of the storm) became the mainstay for everyone. It was then that pancakes became the daily special for breakfast, lunch and dinner. A subsequent event known as the Pancake Festival became a legend, with the original Aunt Jemima of Quaker Oats Company making her debut.
A special thanks to the Tourtellotte family and Jeanne Hallgren, Glenn Historian and author of the book titled
“Piers, Pancakes and People”, both of whom contributed greatly to this passage.
