Isaac Cappon House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Isaac Cappon House
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 228 W. 9th St., Holland, Michigan |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1872 |
| Built by | John R. Kleyn |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 84001478 |
| Added to NRHP | January 26, 1984 |
The Isaac Cappon House is a historic building in Holland, Michigan. It was built as a home for Isaac Cappon, who was the first mayor of Holland. Today, it is a museum called the Cappon House Museum. It was added to the list of important historical places in 1984.
Contents
History of the Cappon House
Founding of Holland and Isaac Cappon's Arrival
The city of Holland was started in 1847. Dutch immigrants, led by Rev. Albertus C. van Raalte, first settled there. Many more Dutch immigrants came to Holland in the next few years.
Isaac Cappon arrived in New York City in 1847. He then moved to Holland in 1848. He worked at a tannery, which is a place where animal hides are made into leather.
Cappon's Business and Public Service
In 1856, Isaac Cappon and John Bertsch started their own company. It was called the Cappon and Bertsch Leather Company. Their tannery business grew bigger over time. They built a new building in 1863 and made it larger a few years later.
As Cappon's business grew, so did the town of Holland. In 1867, Holland officially became a city. Isaac Cappon was chosen as the very first mayor of the new city. He served as mayor four times: in 1867, 1870, 1874, and 1879.
The Great Fire and Rebuilding
In 1871, a huge forest fire swept through Holland. It destroyed many buildings, including Isaac Cappon's home. His tannery, the Cappon and Bertsch Leather Company, was also destroyed.
But the company quickly rebuilt. They constructed a new plant in 1872. They added a drying house the next year. The business continued to grow throughout the 1870s.
Isaac Cappon also rebuilt his own house. He hired a builder named John R. Kleyn from Holland. Construction on the new house began in 1872 and was finished in 1874.
From Family Home to Museum
The Cappon family lived in the house for many years. The last family member to live there was Miss Lavina Cappon. She passed away in 1978.
After that, the city of Holland took ownership of the house. It then began operating as a museum. The museum has been partly restored to look like it did around the year 1900. Visitors can explore the Cappon House Museum and the nearby Thomas and Anna Morrissey House.
What the Cappon House Looks Like
Outside the House
The Isaac Cappon House is a two-story building. It is built in the Italianate style. This style was popular in the late 1800s. The house has a T-shape and a roof that slopes down on all sides, called a hipped roof. There is a small tower on top of the roof called a cupola.
The house is built with a type of wood framing called balloon-framed construction. It sits on a foundation made of rough stones. The front of the house has a part that sticks out in the middle. On each side of this middle part, the walls are set back a bit.
The main entrance has double doors. It is located in a corner of one of the set-back sections. Above the main entrance is a small roof supported by decorative brackets. There is also a second entrance in the opposite corner. A single-story section extends from the back of the house.
Inside the House
When you enter the main doors, you step into a wide hall. The main staircase is located off this hall. From the hall, you can enter several rooms.
- There is a formal parlor, which was a fancy living room.
- The original sitting room has been changed into a dining room.
- The original dining room is now a kitchen.
- There is also a small bedroom on the first floor.
The original kitchen was in the single-story addition at the back. This area is now a garage. The first floor of the house has a lot of beautiful wooden details and decorations from the Victorian era.
Upstairs, there are two large bedrooms and two smaller ones. There is also a big bathroom. A small staircase leads up to the unfinished attic. From the attic, you can go up into the cupola.
