Baker Mansion facts for kids
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Baker Mansion
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Baker Mansion, April 2012
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | 3500 Baker Blvd., Altoona, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1844-1849 |
| Architect | Robert Cary Long, Jr. |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001619 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | June 5, 1975 |
The Baker Mansion is a historic house located in Altoona, Blair County, Pennsylvania. It was built between 1844 and 1849. This three-story stone building is designed in the Greek Revival style. Its front has five sections and features six tall, fluted columns. Today, the building is home to the Blair County Historical Society.
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History of Baker Mansion
The Baker Mansion was originally the home of Elias Baker and his family. Elias Baker was an ironmaster, which means he owned and managed a factory that made iron. In 1836, he bought the nearby Allegheny Furnace with his cousin. Elias, his wife Hetty, and their two sons, David Woods and Sylvester, moved to the area.
The Baker Family
Soon after they arrived, a daughter named Anna was born. Another daughter, Margaretta, was born in 1839. Sadly, Margaretta passed away at the age of two.
In 1844, Elias Baker bought out his cousin's share in the iron business. That same year, he hired an architect named Robert Cary Long, Jr. to design a new home. Building the mansion started in 1845. There were many problems and delays, so it wasn't finished until 1849. The house cost about $15,000 to build. This was a lot of money back then!
Even with the high costs, Elias Baker was determined. He finished his dream house and lived there for 15 years until he passed away in 1864. Hetty Baker, his wife, lived in the mansion until she passed away in 1900.
Later Years of the Family
David Woods Baker, Elias's son, married Sarah Tuthill in 1851. They had a daughter named Louise in 1852. However, David Woods passed away just two and a half weeks after Louise was born. Louise later married Ernst Beckman and moved to his home country of Sweden.
Sylvester and Anna, Elias's other children, never married. They both lived in the mansion until they passed away. After Anna passed away in 1914, the mansion was closed for several years.
The Mansion as a Museum
In 1922, the Blair County Historical Society leased the building. They opened it as a museum, sharing the history of the area. With help from the community, the society raised money and bought the house in 1941. Since then, the mansion has been the society's main office. It has become a special landmark that the community loves.
In 2001, the outside of the mansion was repaired to look like it did when it was first built. Work has also started on fixing up the inside. This work is paid for by grants and money raised by the Historical Society. In August 2015, the double parlor room inside was restored to its original condition.
The Legend of Anna Baker
The Baker Mansion is famous for a special legend about Anna Baker. Anna was Elias Baker's oldest daughter. She fell in love with a steel worker who was not wealthy. Her father did not approve of their relationship. Anna and the steel worker even planned to get married, and Anna bought her own wedding dress.
When Elias found out, he was very upset. He bought the steel mill where Anna's fiancé worked. Then, he forced the young man to move to another city. Anna was heartbroken. She refused every marriage proposal her father offered her. She chose to stay in her room, keeping the wedding dress she never got to wear. Anna passed away in 1914.
After Anna's passing, members of the Baker family reported strange things happening. They said her wedding dress would appear in different places around the house. People also reported seeing the ghost of Anna Baker. She is said to appear walking around in her wedding dress.
National Recognition
The Baker Mansion is an important historical site. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. This means it is recognized as a place that is important to the history of the United States.
