George Newton House facts for kids
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George Newton House
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Marcellus, Michigan |
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| Area | 4 acres (1.6 ha) |
| Built | 1865 |
| Architect | Christian G. Haefner |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 82002830 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 12, 1982 |
The George Newton House is an important old house located at 20689 Marcellus Highway, near Marcellus, Michigan. It was built in 1865. This house is special because it was the home of George Newton, who was a well-known leader in his community. His father, James Newton, was also an early settler in Cass County, Michigan.
The house was recognized as a Michigan State Historic Site in 1974. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Today, it operates as a public museum called the Newton House Museum.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
The Newton Family Story
James Newton, George's father, was born in England in 1777. When he was a boy, his family moved to the United States. They first lived near Morristown, New Jersey. Later, James moved to Pennsylvania, and then to Ohio in 1804. He became a Colonel, leading a group of Ohio soldiers. He even fought in the War of 1812, commanding forts like Fort Black and Fort Meigs.
George Newton, James's son, was born in 1810 in Preble County, Ohio. In 1830, both George and his father moved to Cass County. They started farming there. James Newton was very involved in public service. He helped write the first Michigan Constitution in 1835. He also served in the Michigan House of Representatives for two terms. James Newton passed away in 1844.
George Newton's Life
George Newton married Esther Green in 1837. They had two children together. Like his father, George also served his community. He was elected to many local government jobs. He also served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 1858 to 1859.
In 1865, George Newton hired an architect named Christian G. Haefner to design this house. George Newton lived in the house until he passed away in 1883.
The House as a Museum
In 1931, a man named Fred Russ bought the house and the large piece of land around it. This land was mostly forest. In 1942, he gave the land to Michigan State University. The university's forestry school used it as the Fred Russ Experimental Forest.
The Cass County Historical Commission later helped to fix up and restore the house. By 2013, the house was open to the public as a museum. It is now known as the Newton House Museum.
What the House Looks Like
The George Newton House is a great example of an Italianate country villa. It is special because it has been kept in such good condition.
The house has two stories. Its outer walls are covered with clapboard, which are long, thin wooden boards. The roof is a hip roof, meaning all sides slope downwards to the walls. On top of the roof, there is a small tower-like structure called a belvedere.
A veranda (a covered porch) runs across the front of the house. There is also a part of the house that sticks out to one side, also with a hip roof. The roof has wide, overhanging eaves (the parts that stick out past the walls). Underneath the roof, there is a classical cornice, which is a decorative molding.
