Fountain Elms
|
Fountain Elms
|
|
 |
|
 
|
|
| Location | 318 Genesee St., Utica, New York |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 43°5′49″N 75°14′29″W / 43.09694°N 75.24139°WCoordinates: 43°5′49″N 75°14′29″W / 43.09694°N 75.24139°W |
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1852 |
| Architect | Woolett,William,Jr.; Thomas,Phillip |
| Architectural style | Italian style |
| NRHP reference # | 72001599 |
| Added to NRHP | November 3, 1972 |
Fountain Elms is a historic home located at Utica in Oneida County, New York. It is part of the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute. The original block was completed in 1852 in the "Italian Style". It is basically a cube with a center hall plan. The original rear wing was remodeled in 1883 and a third two story wing added. An additional wing and piazza were added in 1908, resulting in the current irregular plan.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
Fountain Elms, located on Genesee Street in Utica, NY, was built in 1850 by Helen Elizabeth Munson Williams (1824-1894) and James Watson Williams (1810-1873) in collaboration with architect William Woollett of Albany, NY. 2016.</ref> Fountain Elms was also the home where Helen and James Williams raised their three daughters Grace (1847-1854), Rachel (1850-1915), and Maria (1853-1935
In 1823 Alfred Munson (1793-1854) moved to Utica, NY. He obtained his fortune in the Northeastern United States through investments in industrial businesses which included coal mining, manufacturing, canal development, and railroad and steamboat transportation.
Helen Elizabeth Munson Williams, Alfred's daughter, was a Utica, NY native who in 1846 married local lawyer James Watson Williams. James became heavily involved in his father-in-law's business negotiations, and even became a lobbyist in the New York State Legislature on Alfred's behalf. Helen was well regarded for her philanthropic efforts in the Central New York region, as well as for her abundant 19th century fine art collections. She was known as a savvy investor who, through strategic decisions, increased her inheritance ten-fold. Using her acquired money, she went on to purchase more pieces of fine art and decorations adding to what would become the center of the family’s art compilation. After the death of Helen Munson Williams in 1894, her two surviving daughters Rachel and Maria continued with her philanthropic efforts in the Oneida county region of New York State.
On April 9, 1891, at the age of 38, Maria Watson Williams married the prominent Thomas R. Proctor (1844-1920). Rachel Munson Williams at the age of 44 married Frederick Proctor (1856-1929) in 1894. After Rachel and Frederick's marriage, they moved into Fountain Elms; during this time the pair continued to add to the building's internal design by collecting multiple works of art and decorative furnishings. In returning from England in 1912, Rachel expanded the Episcopal Sisterhood and the Sisters of Saint Margaret. Rachel and husband Frederick Proctor built and provided furnishings for St. Luke's home and hospital. Rachel and Maria are both credited with providing many contributions to Grace Church in Utica. Rachel and Maria did not provide heirs to the Munson Williams Proctor fortune.
...
Wikipedia