Parker Cleaveland House facts for kids
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Parker Cleaveland House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 75 Federal Street, Brunswick, Maine |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Architect | Samuel Melcher III |
| Part of | Federal Street Historic District (ID76000092) |
| NRHP reference No. | 00000702 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 16, 2000 |
| Designated NHL | May 16, 2000 |
| Designated CP | October 29, 1976 |
The Parker Cleaveland House is a special historic home in Brunswick, Maine. It was the home of Parker Cleaveland from 1806 to 1858. Cleaveland was a famous mineralogist and a professor at nearby Bowdoin College. He did some of the first studies of minerals in the United States. His book, Elementary Treatise on Mineralogy and Geology, became the main textbook for studying minerals.
This house is very important because of its connection to Parker Cleaveland. It was named a National Historic Landmark in 2000. Today, Bowdoin College owns the house. It is now where the college president lives.
Contents
About the Parker Cleaveland House
The Cleaveland House is a two-story building made of wood. It has a sloped roof and a strong stone foundation. It's built like many old homes, with an attached section at the back. This section connects to a carriage house through an open garage area.
The front of the house faces west. It has five window sections across. The main door is in the middle. It has decorative columns on each side. Above the door is a special fan-shaped window and a fancy trim. There's also another entrance on the south side with a small cover. Inside, the house has nice wooden details. The best parts are in the main hallway and a special living room.
Building the House and Its Owners
A local builder named Samuel Melcher built the house in 1805-1806. He built it for Parker Cleaveland. Cleaveland had just arrived in 1805 to start his long career at Bowdoin College. The house was quite large. Eventually, Cleaveland had to sell it to the college.
The college first rented the house back to him. Later, they let him live there for free until he passed away in 1858. After his death, Cleaveland's son-in-law, Peleg Chandler, bought the house from the college. The Chandler family owned it until 1951. Then, Bowdoin College bought the house again. It has been the official home for the college president ever since.
Parker Cleaveland's Important Work
Parker Cleaveland was born in Massachusetts. He went to Dummer Academy and Harvard College. He taught at Harvard for a short time. Then, Bowdoin College hired him as a professor. He taught math and natural philosophy.
Cleaveland added new subjects to the college's lessons. He started teaching chemistry and mineralogy. This is where he made his biggest impact. Even though he didn't study minerals in college, it became his main research area. In 1818, he published his amazing book, Elementary Treatise on Mineralogy and Geology. This was the first American book about minerals. It was also the first book anywhere to describe minerals found in North America.
His second, bigger edition of the book became famous around the world. It set the standard for how future books about minerals were written.
Why the House is a Landmark
Parker Cleaveland lived in this house until he died in 1858. Because of his important work, the house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was also named a National Historic Landmark in 2000. This means it's a very important place in American history.
The house is also part of the Federal Street Historic District. This area in Brunswick has many well-preserved 19th-century homes. Another building, Massachusetts Hall at Bowdoin College, is also on the National Register. This is partly because of its connections to Parker Cleaveland too.
