The Queen's Residence, a historic Ann Arbor area Bed and Breakfast, was built circa 1870 for Samuel Barnard, a vice president of the Peninsular Paper Company. The house was originally a brick Italianate Victorian. However it was modified to its present day Classical Revival form during the tenure of Charles Newton in the 1920’s – 1940’s. Charles Newton was a key employee of Henry Ford. He was a real estate broker and chief buyer for properties for Greenfield Village.  The 1700’s New England tavern in The Queen's Residence was a gift from Henry Ford. The story goes that Newton and Ford both bought taverns on separate buying trips. Since the Eagle Tavern, bought by Ford, was bigger than the Wild Turkey Tavern, bought by Newton, it earned a place at Greenfield Village. The latter tavern found its way to its present day location at 220 S. Huron Street in Ypsilanti. Local history tells that Henry Ford sat on a keg of nails and supervised the tavern’s reconstruction!

The plantation veranda was also added by Charles Newton in the 1920’s. To long time residents of Ypsilanti, the house has been known as “Tara” ever since. We think that is fitting since Marla’s oldest daughter’s name is Tara!

The Queen's Residence has been featured on several Ypsilanti Heritage Festival Home tours and Meals on Wheels Christmas Home Tours.