Lewis Miller Cottage facts for kids
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Lewis Miller Cottage, Chautauqua Institution
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U.S. National Historic Landmark District
Contributing Property |
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Lewis Miller Cottage, 1967
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | Vincent and Whitfield Aves., Chautauqua, New York |
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| Built | 1874 |
| Part of | Chautauqua Institution Historic District (ID73001168) |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000506 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | December 21, 1965 |
| Designated NHLDCP | June 29, 1989 |
The Lewis Miller Cottage is a special old house in Chautauqua, New York. It's located on the grounds of the Chautauqua Institution. This house was built in 1874. It was the home of Lewis Miller. He was the person who started and led the famous Chautauqua movement. Because of its link to Lewis Miller, the cottage was named a National Historic Landmark in 1965. It's also part of a bigger area called the Chautauqua Institution Historic District, which is also a National Historic Landmark.
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What is the Lewis Miller Cottage?
The Lewis Miller Cottage is a two-story house. It is made of wood. You can find it in the village of Chautauqua. It sits at the corner of Vincent and Whitfield Avenues.
The Cottage's Design
The house has a wide, sloped roof. It shows off a style called "Stick style" with fancy wooden decorations. Large brackets support parts of the roof. The front of the house looks the same on both sides.
On the first floor, there are windows on each side of the main door. On the second floor, there are two windows on each side. A door in the middle leads to a balcony. Both the first-floor porch and the second-floor balcony have decorative railings. These railings are sometimes called "gingerbread" because they look so detailed.
A Special Prefab House
This cottage was built in a unique way. It was made in pieces somewhere else. Then, it was brought to Chautauqua and put together in 1874. This was done for Lewis Miller, who lived from 1829 to 1899.
Who Was Lewis Miller?
Lewis Miller was a very important person. He was a businessman and a philanthropist. A philanthropist is someone who gives money and time to help others. Miller was known for his inventions and for helping to improve education.
Starting the Chautauqua Movement
In 1874, Lewis Miller and John Heyl Vincent started the Chautauqua Institution. The Lewis Miller Cottage was one of the very first buildings built there. The Chautauqua Institution became the center of the Chautauqua movement.
What is the Chautauqua Movement?
The Chautauqua movement was a big deal in the United States. It was a national program for adult education. People could learn about many different subjects. This included history, science, music, and public speaking.
Learning for Everyone
The movement aimed to bring education to people of all ages. It was especially popular in the early 1900s. People would gather for lectures, concerts, and discussions. It was like a summer camp for learning.
Chautauqua Today
The Chautauqua movement is still active today. It continues at a smaller scale. The Chautauqua Institution still offers many educational programs. The Lewis Miller Cottage reminds us of the movement's beginnings. As of 1989, the house was still owned by Miller's family.
