William Rainey Harper Log House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Harper, William Rainey, Log House
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The Harper Cabin
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | E. Main St., New Concord, Ohio |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1825 |
| Architect | Samuel Harper |
| NRHP reference No. | 78002154 |
| Added to NRHP | April 6, 1978 |
The William Rainey Harper Log House, also known as the Harper Cabin, is a historic building in New Concord, Ohio. This old log house is famous because William Rainey Harper, a very smart person who later became the first president of the University of Chicago, was born here. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, which means it is an important historical site.
Contents
History of the Harper Log House
When Was the Harper Cabin Built?
This two-story log house was built in 1834. A person named Archibold Boal built it for Joseph McKinney. The house has stayed mostly the same over many years. It still looks much like it did when it was first built.
Who Lived in the Harper Cabin?
In 1843, the house was bought by Henry McCleary. Later, in 1856, William Rainey Harper was born in this very cabin. William was a child genius! He stayed in the house while he went to Muskingum College. He graduated from college when he was only 13 years old in 1869.
Even though William left for Yale in 1872, the house stayed with the Harper family. They owned it until 1904.
The Cabin as a College Building and Museum
In 1918, Muskingum College bought the house. For many years, it was used for different things. It was a photography studio and even a classroom for students. The cabin was fixed up and made new again in 1937.
In 1987, the college gave the house to the city of New Concord. Today, the William Rainey Harper Log House is a museum. Volunteers from the village help to run it. You can arrange tours of the house through the John and Annie Glenn Historic Site.
What Does the Harper Log House Look Like?
Building Materials and Style
The Harper Log House has two stories. It is made from strong logs that were cut and shaped from local trees. The house was built in the Federal style, which was popular for buildings in the early 1800s. This style often uses simple, balanced designs.
Windows, Roof, and Surroundings
The front of the house has a main door in the middle. There is a window on each side of the door. On the second floor, there are three windows lined up above the ones below. The roof is shaped like a triangle, called a gabled roof. There is a chimney on each side of the house. The house is located next to a newer building on its right. On the left side, there is a small herb garden with a fence around it.
