Baldwin-Reynolds House
Encyclopedia
The Baldwin–Reynolds House is a historical site on the National Register of Historic Places
. It is located in Meadville, Crawford County, Pennsylvania
. It was built as a retirement home by Supreme Court
Justice
and congressman
Henry Baldwin
. It was later owned by
William Reynolds, hence the name "Baldwin-Reynolds House". The house is now owned by the Crawford County Historical Society and is run as a museum, with tours of the house available during the summer months and special events throughout the year.
The property chosen was once owned by Samuel Lord, a veteran of the American Revolution
. Lord lost the property in a sheriff sale
in 1838. The property was bought by the family of Henry's wife Sarah 'Sally' Baldwin (née Ellicott), and then sold to Henry.
The Baldwins began building the house in 1842, and it was ready to live in by the late summer of 1843. It was considered the quintessential southern home in northern Pennsylvania and was called the "Mount Vernon
of Meadville" by the local newspaper (in 1938). However, Henry Baldwin died suddenly at the Merchants Hotel while serving on the Circuit Court in Philadelphia
on April 21, 1844, before the house was complete.
. Subjects taught included all the basic subjects, plus French
and botany
in the gardens. Less than three years later, the school could no longer afford to be located in the house, and so turned it back over to Sally Baldwin in 1847.
in Meadville, and a successful attorney in Pittsburgh
. The same year, he moved his wife, Julia, and daughter, Frances, to Meadville and quickly became active in the community. For a time he was the president of the Meadville Gas and Water Company, and the house was the first house in the community to have natural gas
lighting. Reynolds was also a founder, and first president, of the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad
. He was the last burgess and first mayor
of Meadville
.
Reynolds and his wife spent much time remodeling the house from its original southern, plantation style to a more Victorian decor
and architecture
. Originally, much of the woodwork in the house was pine. Much of this was replaced with black walnut and parquet floors
. Fireplaces, a solarium
, and a library were added.
William and Julia Reynolds lived in the house for over 60 years, until they died within one week of each other in early 1911.
to Europe
and Asia
, including the Belgian
wallpaper in the dining room. John Earle Reynolds eventually became a three-term mayor of Meadville, and Chairman and President of Merchant's Bank of Meadville. Katherine was an active member of the American Red Cross
and a founding member of the Meadville Garden Club.
John died in 1947, and Katherine continued living in the house until her death in 1963. In her will
, the house was to be put up for public sale. The house was bought by the Crawford County Historical Society and preserved as a museum. In 1974, the house was added to the National Register of Historic Places
. The house is still today preserved as a museum, with many of the original furnishings from Henry Baldwin recovered and replaced in the house, as well as other artifacts of significance to Meadville, and Crawford County
. Tours are given often by members of the Historical society.
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. It is located in Meadville, Crawford County, Pennsylvania
Crawford County, Pennsylvania
Crawford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 88,765.Crawford County was created on March 12, 1800, from part of Allegheny County and named for Colonel William Crawford...
. It was built as a retirement home by Supreme Court
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
Justice
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States are the members of the Supreme Court of the United States other than the Chief Justice of the United States...
and congressman
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
Henry Baldwin
Henry Baldwin (judge)
Henry Baldwin was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from January 18, 1830, to April 21, 1844.-Biography:...
. It was later owned by
William Reynolds, hence the name "Baldwin-Reynolds House". The house is now owned by the Crawford County Historical Society and is run as a museum, with tours of the house available during the summer months and special events throughout the year.
Henry Baldwin
As Henry Baldwin got older, he decided to move his family to Meadville for retirement. He chose Meadville because they had friends there, and it was the place of his early law career. When visiting his son in Tennessee, he was struck by a house known as "Hunter Hill". He decided to model his retirement home after this house. He drew the plans for Hunter Hill, and returned to Meadville where, in 1842, he and his wife settled on this 24.5 acres (9.9 ha) property and began building the house.The property chosen was once owned by Samuel Lord, a veteran of the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
. Lord lost the property in a sheriff sale
Public auction
A public auction is an auction held on behalf of a government in which the property to be auctioned is either property owned by the government, or property which is sold under the authority of a court of law or a government agency with similar authority....
in 1838. The property was bought by the family of Henry's wife Sarah 'Sally' Baldwin (née Ellicott), and then sold to Henry.
The Baldwins began building the house in 1842, and it was ready to live in by the late summer of 1843. It was considered the quintessential southern home in northern Pennsylvania and was called the "Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon
The name Mount Vernon is a dedication to the English Vice-Admiral Edward Vernon. It was first applied to Mount Vernon, the Virginia estate of George Washington, the first President of the United States...
of Meadville" by the local newspaper (in 1938). However, Henry Baldwin died suddenly at the Merchants Hotel while serving on the Circuit Court in Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
on April 21, 1844, before the house was complete.
The Baldwin Institute
After Henry's death, Sally Baldwin did not want to continue living in the home. In 1844, she leased the property to the Meadville Female Seminary, who used it as a girls' finishing schoolFinishing school
A finishing school is "a private school for girls that emphasises training in cultural and social activities." The name reflects that it follows on from ordinary school and is intended to complete the educational experience, with classes primarily on etiquette...
. Subjects taught included all the basic subjects, plus French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
and botany
Botany
Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses...
in the gardens. Less than three years later, the school could no longer afford to be located in the house, and so turned it back over to Sally Baldwin in 1847.
William Reynolds
Sally Baldwin then sold the original 24.5 acres (9.9 ha) plus an additional 38 acres (15.4 ha) to her nephew, William Reynolds. Reynolds was a graduate of Allegheny CollegeAllegheny College
Allegheny College is a private liberal arts college located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the town of Meadville. Founded in 1815, the college has about 2,100 undergraduate students.-Early history:...
in Meadville, and a successful attorney in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
. The same year, he moved his wife, Julia, and daughter, Frances, to Meadville and quickly became active in the community. For a time he was the president of the Meadville Gas and Water Company, and the house was the first house in the community to have natural gas
Natural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
lighting. Reynolds was also a founder, and first president, of the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad
Atlantic and Great Western Railroad
The Atlantic and Great Western Railroad began as three separate railroads: the Erie and New York City Railroad based in Jamestown, New York; the Meadville Railroad based in Meadville, Pennsylvania ; and the Franklin and Warren Railroad based in Franklin Mills, Ohio...
. He was the last burgess and first mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Meadville
Meadville, Pennsylvania
Meadville is a city in and the county seat of Crawford County, Pennsylvania, United States. The city is generally considered part of the Pittsburgh Tri-State and is within 40 miles of Erie, Pennsylvania. It was the first permanent settlement in northwest Pennsylvania...
.
Reynolds and his wife spent much time remodeling the house from its original southern, plantation style to a more Victorian decor
Victorian decorative arts
Victorian decorative arts refers to the style of decorative arts during the Victorian era. The Victorian era is known for its eclectic revival and interpretation of historic styles and the introduction of cross-cultural influences from the middle east and Asia in furniture, fittings, and Interior...
and architecture
Victorian architecture
The term Victorian architecture refers collectively to several architectural styles employed predominantly during the middle and late 19th century. The period that it indicates may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria. This represents the British and...
. Originally, much of the woodwork in the house was pine. Much of this was replaced with black walnut and parquet floors
Parquetry
Parquetry is a geometric mosaic of wood pieces used for decorative effect. The two main uses of parquetry are as veneer patterns on furniture and block patterns for flooring. Parquet patterns are entirely geometrical and angular—squares, triangles, lozenges. The most popular parquet flooring...
. Fireplaces, a solarium
Solarium
Solarium may refer to:* Similar to a Sunroom, a room built largely of glass to afford exposure to the sun. Solariums have glass roofs , unlike sunrooms...
, and a library were added.
William and Julia Reynolds lived in the house for over 60 years, until they died within one week of each other in early 1911.
20th Century and Beyond
Upon the deaths of William and Julia Reynolds, the house and property were left to their youngest son, John Earle Reynolds. Later that year, John married Katherine Shryock. Several artifacts from their honeymoonHoneymoon
-History:One early reference to a honeymoon is in Deuteronomy 24:5 “When a man is newly wed, he need not go out on a military expedition, nor shall any public duty be imposed on him...
to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
, including the Belgian
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
wallpaper in the dining room. John Earle Reynolds eventually became a three-term mayor of Meadville, and Chairman and President of Merchant's Bank of Meadville. Katherine was an active member of the American Red Cross
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross , also known as the American National Red Cross, is a volunteer-led, humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and education inside the United States. It is the designated U.S...
and a founding member of the Meadville Garden Club.
John died in 1947, and Katherine continued living in the house until her death in 1963. In her will
Will (law)
A will or testament is a legal declaration by which a person, the testator, names one or more persons to manage his/her estate and provides for the transfer of his/her property at death...
, the house was to be put up for public sale. The house was bought by the Crawford County Historical Society and preserved as a museum. In 1974, the house was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. The house is still today preserved as a museum, with many of the original furnishings from Henry Baldwin recovered and replaced in the house, as well as other artifacts of significance to Meadville, and Crawford County
Crawford County, Pennsylvania
Crawford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 88,765.Crawford County was created on March 12, 1800, from part of Allegheny County and named for Colonel William Crawford...
. Tours are given often by members of the Historical society.