Pomona Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Pomona Hall
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 Location in Camden County, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Location | Park Boulevard and Euclid Avenue, Camden, New Jersey |
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| Area | 0 acres (0 ha) |
| Built | 1726 |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000499 |
| Added to NRHP | August 12, 1971 |
Pomona Hall is a historic mansion located in Camden, New Jersey. It stands at 1900 Park Boulevard and Euclid Avenue. This old house now works as a museum, managed by the Camden County Historical Society.
The first building on this spot was put up in 1718. The larger mansion, which you see today, began construction in 1726. More parts were added to the house in 1788. People don't know exactly when it was first called Pomona Hall. However, the name appeared on a map of Philadelphia and its surroundings in 1809.
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Discovering Pomona Hall's History
Pomona Hall was first built by Joseph Cooper Jr. His family, the Coopers, were early settlers in America. Joseph's grandfather, William Cooper, came from England in the late 1600s. He first settled in Burlington, New Jersey. Later, he moved to Pyne Point, which is now part of Camden.
In 1681, William Cooper bought a large piece of land. Joseph Cooper Sr., Joseph Jr.'s father, also bought land nearby. This land was later given to Joseph Cooper Jr. The initials on the north chimney show that Joseph and Mary Cooper built that part of the house in 1726.
Important People at Pomona Hall
Joseph Cooper Jr. was an important person in his community. He was a member of the New Jersey General Assembly, which is like a state government. He served there from 1760 to 1749. Joseph Cooper Jr. was also a friend of Benjamin Franklin, a very famous American inventor and statesman. Franklin even wrote about his friendship with Joseph Cooper Jr.
After Joseph Cooper Jr. passed away in 1749, his younger brother Isaac took over the property. Later, Isaac's son, Marmaduke Cooper, became the owner of Pomona Hall.
Marmaduke Cooper was a Quaker, a member of the Religious Society of Friends. Quakers believe in peace and often avoid fighting. Before the American Revolutionary War started, Marmaduke was involved in committees that helped the colonies. However, when the Quaker leaders advised their members to be conscientious objectors (people who refuse to fight for moral reasons), he stopped his activities.
In 1788, Marmaduke built the southern part of Pomona Hall. You can see his and Mary Cooper's initials on the chimney there. This new part matched the style of the older house. You can still see where the new part was added by looking closely at the brick walls.
Inside Pomona Hall's Design
The north wall of the hallway was once an outside wall of the original house. It goes all the way up to the roof. The wooden parts inside the older section of the house are simple and balanced. The stair railings are gracefully shaped and held together with wooden pegs. In the original living room, there was a fireplace with blue tiles.
Exploring Pomona Hall's Architecture
Pomona Hall has been carefully restored to look like it did during the American Revolution. Many people call it the "finest example" of a Georgian style plantation house in New Jersey.
In 1936, a group called the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) studied the building in detail. They made drawings and took photos of the house. They also collected documents about its history.
Here are some facts about Pomona Hall:
- Owner: The City of Camden owns the building. The Camden County Historical Society uses it as a museum.
- Built: The house was built between 1726 and 1788.
- Architect: The original architect is unknown.
- Builders: Joseph Cooper Jr. built the first part in 1726. Marmaduke Cooper built the newer section.
- Condition: In 1936, it was in good condition.
- Stories: It has two and a half stories.
- Building Materials:
- Foundation: Made of stone.
- Outside Walls: The front walls use a special brick pattern called Flemish bond. The side walls use alternating rows of bricks. The end walls have gables and wide chimneys.
- Inside Walls: Mostly plaster. Some rooms have wooden panels around the fireplaces.
- Roof: It has a sloped roof with dormer windows and a walk area between the chimneys.
See also
- Joseph Cooper House
- Benjamin Cooper House
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Camden County, New Jersey
- List of the oldest buildings in New Jersey
