Perkins Stone Mansion facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Perkins, Col. Simon, Mansion
|
|
 |
|
| Location | 550 Copley Rd., Akron, Ohio |
|---|---|
| Area | 2.5 acres (1.0 ha) |
| Built | 1837 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 74001624 |
| Added to NRHP | August 13, 1974 |
The Perkins Stone Mansion is a cool old house in Akron, Ohio that you can visit! It's now a historic house museum, which means it's like a time capsule showing how people lived long ago.
Contents
Discover the Perkins Stone Mansion
This amazing mansion is owned and run by The Summit County Historical Society of Akron, Ohio. It's also where their main office is located. The house was built a long time ago, between 1835 and 1837. It was built by Col. Simon Perkins, whose father, General Simon Perkins, actually founded the city of Akron! The mansion was the Perkins family home until 1945.
Building a Grand Home
The Perkins Stone Mansion was built between 1835 and 1837. It stood on a large piece of land, about 115 acres, owned by Colonel Simon Perkins. When it was finished, the house was about a mile from Akron's edge. It was also right next to the ancient Portage Path of Summit County, Ohio. From the front porch, you could see the city of Akron. There was even a "widow's walk" on the roof, which was a great spot to watch boats on the Ohio and Erie Canal.
Mansion Design and Materials
Someone named Isaac Ladd from Warren, Ohio likely designed the mansion. It was built in the Greek Revival style, which was very popular back then. This style often uses tall columns and looks a bit like ancient Greek temples. The mansion was made from yellow sandstone. This stone was cut by hand and came from a quarry very close to the house.
Colonel Perkins later made his property even bigger, to about 300 acres. He used the land for farming and raising sheep. Because of the sheep, the area became known as "Mutton Hill." The sheep pastures came right up to the front porch. The house also had vegetable gardens and a lovely covered walkway called an arbor.
Other Buildings on the Property
Near the mansion, you can find the Wash House. This is where the Perkins family would wash and dry their clothes and other fabrics. Right next to the Wash House is the original well, which provided water. Behind the mansion is the "woodshed." Today, this building is used as an office for the Summit County Historical Society.
There are also rebuilt versions of other old buildings. These include the Carriage House, a pretty gazebo, and an outhouse. The entire property was once surrounded by a stone wall. Many parts of this old wall are still standing today!
Who Lived in the Mansion?
The Perkins Stone Mansion has had several owners over the years:
- 1837–1887: Colonel Simon Perkins and his wife, Grace, lived here.
- 1887–1919: Their oldest daughter, Anna Perkins, took over the house. Anna never married. She became the mistress of the house after her mother passed away in 1867. Her brother, George Tod Perkins, helped keep the house in good shape.
- 1919–1926: Mr. C.B. and Mrs. Mary Raymond lived here. Mary was the daughter of George Tod Perkins, making her Anna Perkins's niece.
- 1926–1945: George Perkins Raymond took over the house. He was the son of Mr. C.B. and Mrs. Mary Raymond. George was a concert singer, so he wasn't often at home.
- 1945–Present: The Summit County Historical Society of Akron, Ohio bought the mansion. They raised $25,000 from donations to buy it from George Perkins Raymond.
Visiting the Mansion Today
Today, the Perkins Stone Mansion is a very important part of the Summit County Historical Society. It is open to the public as an historic house museum. This means you can visit and learn all about what life was like in the past!
