Fountain Elms facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Fountain Elms
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | 318 Genesee St., Utica, New York |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1852 |
| Architect | Woolett, William, Jr.; Thomas, Phillip |
| Architectural style | Italian style |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001599 |
| Added to NRHP | November 3, 1972 |
Fountain Elms is a beautiful old house in Utica, New York. It was built in 1852 and looks like it's from Italy! This special building is now part of the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute.
The house started as a simple square shape. Over the years, more parts were added. In 1883, a back section was updated. Then, in 1908, another part and a covered porch (called a piazza) were built. These additions gave the house its unique look today. Fountain Elms was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 because of its historical importance.
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History of Fountain Elms
Fountain Elms was built in 1850 by Helen Elizabeth Munson Williams and James Watson Williams. They worked with an architect named William Woollett from Albany, New York. This house was where Helen and James raised their three daughters: Grace, Rachel, and Maria.
The Williams Family and Their Legacy
The Williams family was very important in Utica. Helen's father, Alfred Munson, was a successful businessman. He made his money from things like coal mining, factories, and transportation.
Helen Elizabeth Munson Williams was born in Utica. She married James Watson Williams, a local lawyer, in 1846. James helped with Alfred's businesses. Helen was known for her kindness and for helping her community. She also loved collecting fine art. She was very smart with her money and used it to buy many beautiful artworks and decorations for her home.
Helen also helped fund projects like the renovation of the Grace Episcopal Church. After Helen passed away in 1894, her two daughters, Rachel and Maria, continued her good work in New York.
Maria Watson Williams married Thomas R. Proctor in 1891. Rachel Munson Williams married Frederick Proctor in 1894. Rachel and Frederick moved into Fountain Elms. They also added many artworks and beautiful furniture to the house. Rachel and Maria made many contributions to Grace Church in Utica.
Fountain Elms Becomes a Museum
After James Watson Williams passed away in 1876, Helen and her children started making changes to the Fountain Elms house. In 1936, after Maria passed away, Frederick Proctor opened the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute.
For many years, the Fountain Elms building was used as the museum's art galleries. But in 1960, a brand new gallery building was finished. After that, it was decided that Fountain Elms would be restored to look just like it did in the 1850s. This restoration project was very important because it was one of the first of its kind in the United States!
In 2013, the building had some water damage. The Preservation League of New York State helped by giving money to fix it.
What You Can See at Fountain Elms Today
Today, Fountain Elms is part of the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute. The museum has many amazing art collections. These include European Modernism, Modern and Contemporary Art, and 19th-Century American Paintings and Sculptures. You can also see Thomas Cole's famous painting series, “The Voyage of Life,” which sometimes travels to other places.
It's usually free to visit the museum, but some special exhibits might have a small fee. The museum also offers fun workshops and art classes. They have yearly events that are free for everyone, like the Sidewalk Art Show, the Antique and Classic Car Show, and the Invitational Craft Show.
