The Gateways to a Magical World: The Fairy Doors of Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor’s infamous ‘Fairy Doors’ weren’t seen anywhere in public until 2005...but the first ones ‘appeared’ in 1993, in the baseboards inside the home of Jonathan Wright.

Curious, Jonathan eventually discovered other little doors, two more were found in the kitchen and another in the fireplace. It took twelve years, but in 2005 Jonathan began installing other ‘Fairy Doors’ in downtown Ann Arbor. The first one ‘appeared’ outside Sweetwaters Coffee and Tea.

Other doors were installed in 2005 at the Peaceable Kingdom gift shop, outside the Selo-Shevel Gallery art gallery, Jefferson Market (since closed), the Ann Arbor Framing Company (closed in 2008), The Ark, and by the end of the year, the Red Shoes gift shop.

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In April 2006, a fairy door ‘appeared’ at the boutique Voilà (since closed), Nicola's Books, and one built into a bookcase at the Ann Arbor District Library.

In 2010, a fairy door showed up at Generations Together, an adult day care in Dexter, and a possible portal in Gordon Field in Dexter.

In celebration of the popularity of the Fairy Doors, Wright released a children's book titled Who's Behind the Fairy Doors?

Behind a good number of these doors are little rooms that look like they came out of a fairy tale. Is there a legend behind them? Sort of. According to Wikipedia, it's said that “the doors invite visitors into a magical world, and many believe that leaving notes or gifts inside them can bring good luck and blessings from the fairies that inhabit these portals.”

I’ll accept that.
We need all the blessings we can get.