This article was originally published on January 4, 2022 on The Restless Viking website.
Were you aware that there are fairy doors placed all around Ann Arbor’s downtown? This peaked my interest as I have created fairy gardens along the hiking path at our cabin and in our front yard. Filled with curiosity, I NEEDED to hunt for these Ann Arbor fairy doors! Join me as I explore these portals and I have coffee with the creator and author, Jonathan B. Wright.
Johnathan B. Wright – Fairyologist
Through research I found out that Jonathan B. Wright had started this trend of fairy doors in Ann Arbor. I contacted him through Facebook and he agreed to meet me when I came to town early on Thursday morning. With only two more days until Christmas, Jonathan had graciously agreed to meet me at 8:30 am at Sweetwater’s Coffee Shop in Ann Arbor. I arrived at 8:00 brimming with anticipation. My smile grew as I spied a set of his books, a poster and a fairy door in the corner of the cafe.
Many have left ‘gifts’ for the fairies: coins, a shell and a plastic bead.
I purchased a vanilla chai tea and positioned myself near the fairy display, facing the entrance. I didn’t recognize Jonathan at first, but his confident stroll toward me revealed his identity. I could see the smile in his eyes!
Top Left: The Fairy Door Poster that Jonathan is pointing out.
Top Right Photo Credit: US 103.1 article
Jonathan didn’t care for a beverage as he was heading to the dentist. “So, Jonathan, I am curious to know how you have gotten started with adding fairy doors throughout Ann Arbor?” I asked as he sat down. “My wife, Kathleen, is a young 5’s teacher and professional story teller. She grew up surrounded by folklore and fairytales.” Jonathan beamed as he answered my question about why he’d created all these fairy doors around the town. “Her grandmother came from Glasgow, Ireland.” I nodded and shared that my father is 100% Irish from county Cork and my maternal grandmother was Irish, too. I fully understood how storytelling is a meaningful part of the culture!
“So I was restoring our 100 year old home in ’93,” Jonathan, a graphic design educator, explained. “I made three differently sized fairy doors under the stairway when we added on a hallway and room.” Jonathan sketched on a napkin. These teeny entrances amused the preschool children who attended their in-home daycare.
After their daughters were born, Jonathan had created another single door along their fireplace baseboard when he made more renovations. “My daughters were captivated with this new addition! They were the right age!” Delaney, his youngest, had looked at all the sawdust and woodchips, “It’s their garbage day, too!” She’d commented as they bagged up the wood shavings. Jonathan recalled the memory with fondness for his now grown child. According to his introduction of his book, “I have come to the conclusion that children between the ages of 3 and 11 are the most prolific fairy spotters.”
The first fairy door in the Ann Arbor community was located Sweetwater Coffee and Tea. (Pictured above…This is where we’d met.) Soon other entrances followed. At that time, Jonathan began a website to keep track of local tiny portals all around Ann Arbor. By 2005 he had become a self proclaimed, “certified fairyologist.”
Jonathan’s Book “Who’s Behind The Fairy Doors?”
“Here, I signed my book for you.” Jonathan handed me the copy. Not only did he personally inscribe it, but he also added a fairy drawing, just for me!
There have been over sixty notebooks placed alongside the fairy doors so children could record their sightings and wonderings. Jonathan has used their drawings as a rough draft for many of his fairy renderings.
Jonathan would take their sketches and develop artistic interpretations of the youthful visions.
As I leafed through the pages of the book, I was captivated by the mirrored images: the child’s drawing on the left and Jonathan’s “translation” on the right.
which have been assembled into his book.
Children continue to enjoy hunting for the seven of the original ten doors around town. Several other doors have been added. (See the map below under ‘Resources.’) Many youngsters leave gifts at the doors in hopes that the fairy would be encouraged to reveal itself.
Have You Seen A Fairy?
I had to ask if Jonathan had ever seen a fairy. “You see them out of the corner of your eye. Or you’ll look out and see one, then realize it was a fire plug.” Jonathan grinned. “Children always report seeing them. They are prolific fairy spotters.” Jonathan raised his eyebrows.
I found his answer in his fairy book. “As I have never seen a fairy and can only imagine them, I feel fortunate to tap into the creative notions and insights of others.”
Where Are The Fairy Doors Located?
There are several fairy doors outside of businesses along Main Street in Ann Arbor and a few inside as well. Red Shoes (332 Ashley) The Ann Arbor District Library (343 S. 5th Ave.) , Nicola’s Books in the Westgate Center (on Jackson Street) and The Michigan Theater (603 E. Liberty) are a quick jaunt by car. A list along with a map can be found at the end of the article.
Sadly, after 44 years the Peaceable Kingdom shop closed in May 2017. (Pictured bottom left) The door had appeared on April 17, 2005 and is still there today! Peek inside!
Following their 2005 appearance, other fairy doors started appearing in neighboring communities of Ypsilanti, Dexter and Saline.
In fact, Karen Anderson, a previous Ann Arbor resident, moved to Atlanta, Georgia. She started “Atlanta Tiny Doors” or ATL. She had said that Jonathan B. Wright had a direct influence on her decision to begin making fairy doors around her southern city. San Francisco and New York have similar trends happening in neighborhoods, too! I appreciate how these little notions keep enchantment and magic alive in so many communities!
Jonathan B. Wright’s imagination and spirited ‘translations’ of fairies has impacted so many communities around our nation! I am looking forward to investigating other neighborhoods. Keep searching for the magic that surrounds you!
Urban Fairy Doors Map
Facebook Urban Fairy Doors of Ann Arbor Page
Chuck and Martha Hayden, aka The Viking and Poppins, enjoy going on adventures off the beaten path. They also like to share their explorations with others. The Viking is a retired expedition leader while Poppins is a retired teacher. The two offer independent views of their journeys showcasing places, people, and cultures as they explore the world. Visit and follow them on their website and social media accounts. Website | Facebook | Instagram |YouTube
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