The first floor

APPROACHING ISMON

As you approach the historic Ismon house, Albion's "community gathering place," you will be struck by the grand facade of this century-old building. The exterior retains its impressive Romanesque architecture that includes stained glass windows to the left of the entryway, and a three-story octagonal tower capped by a conical roof on the right. The main entrance features four pole lamps and a new, wide walkway leading in from the street. Original limestone steps transport the visitor up and under the arched entryway to the large front door that leads into the foyer.

THROUGH THE ENTRYWAY

A door on the left of the foyer (not visible in this picture) leads to stairs going down to the lower ground floor or up to the second and third floors. Across the foyer are new, large French doors (with decorative sidelights) that open into the main part of the first floor. This area contains the restored, original fireplace, flanked by two windows that echo the decorative pattern of the narrow sidelight windows in the foyer. A cloak room and modern restrooms are located to the right of the fireplace, down a short hallway.

THE NORTHEAST ROOM

Turning right after passing through the French doors, the visitor enters an attractive space that is suitable for refreshments, short breaks, and small formal or informal gatherings. One feature of this area is the four-sided Northeast corner which is part of the octagonal tower that ascends to the top of the building.

FULLY EQUIPPED KITCHEN

Ismon House includes an attractive, modern, well-equipped commercial kitchen of moderate size that insures visitors to Ismon will not go hungry. Caterers love to use our kitchen, as do groups who prepare and serve their own food. It is suitable for casual as well as elegant, formal dining.

SOUTHEAST ROOM

Adjacent to the elevator and the kitcken, the southeast room is a moderately sized area that is especially convenient for serving groups of 15 to 30. Ismon House provides padded, comfortable chairs and round tables for meetings or dining. As we discovered at our , as we did at our successful first annual Ismon House 4th of July dinner in 2006, the first floor of Ismon is able to comfortably seat and serve 100 dinner guests.

FACING NORTHEAST

This interior view looks past the French doors that enclose the foyer to a cozy corner area that contains three windows set in the walls of the octagonal tower. Please note the Tiffany-style overhead lights and the matching Tiffany-style wall sconces that can be dimmed as needed to suit the ocasion. Also notice the variable-speed ceiling fans that insure physical comfort for our guests by circulating heated air in winter, or cooled air in the summer.