Princeton Chapter House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Princeton Chapter House
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Night view of the front of the house
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1009 N. Main St., Princeton, Illinois |
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| Area | 0.2 acres (0.081 ha) |
| Architect | Helfensteller, Hirsch & Watson |
| Architectural style | Mission Revival |
| MPS | American Woman's League Chapter Houses TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 80001338 |
| Added to NRHP | November 28, 1980 |
The Princeton Chapter House is a special old building in Princeton, Illinois. It was built between 1909 and 1910. This building was a meeting place for a group called the American Woman's League. This group worked to help women in many ways.
Contents
What Was the American Woman's League?
The American Woman's League was a group started in 1908 by a magazine publisher named Edward Gardner Lewis. This group was both political and social. It worked to support women's rights, especially the right for women to vote. Mr. Lewis also used the group to help sell his magazines for women.
How Were the Chapter Houses Designed?
Edward Gardner Lewis hired an architectural firm from St. Louis called Helfensteller, Hirsch & Watson. They designed five different types of buildings for the League's meeting places. These buildings were called "chapter houses."
What Made the Princeton Chapter House Special?
The Princeton Chapter House is unique because it's the only Class IV chapter house ever built. Class IV buildings were some of the largest designs. They were made for clubs that had between 140 and 200 members. The building was designed in the Mission Revival style. It cost about $5,000 to build back then.
What Happened to the Building Later?
After the American Woman's League club in Princeton closed down, the building was used for other things. For a while, it served as a public library. Later, it was changed into a business.
Why Is This Building Important Today?
The Princeton Chapter House is considered a very important historical building. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 28, 1980. This means it's officially recognized for its historical value. It is one of nine American Woman's League chapter houses in Illinois that are on the National Register.
