Barstow, Stephen L.

Barstow (1941-1992) was well known in the Midland and Mount Pleasant, Mich., communities as an accomplished architect and supporter of Central Michigan University's (CMU) art programs. He was employed by a number of architectural firms, including Alden B. Dow in 1962. During his career, Barstow designed a large addition to a cottage on Higgins Lake, a majro expansion of his brother's home, and the Santa Cluase House, MIdland, as well as work with other architects on the West Midland Family Center and other buidlings. He was active during his lifetime with community organizations and a generous supporter of a number of charities. Barstow left his estate to CMU's Art Department, a gift valued at approximately 1 million dollars, including his home, where CMU Artists-in-Residence stay, collections of his sketches, and funds to establish endowments to support art programs at CMU via two need-based scholarships with a special interest in promoting Native Americans into the arts. The Barstow Artist-in-Residence program has brought many artists to CMU's Art Department since 1993. For more information, please refer to the finding aid for this collection. (This information is from CMLife, his obituary in the Midland Daily News, August 5, 1992, and the Social Security Death index.)