Regent in Madison in Dane County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Ely House
1896
— Cobb & Frost —
Erected 1974 by the Madison Landmarks Commission. (Marker Number 20.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin, Madison Landmarks Commission series list.
Location. 43° 4.313′ N, 89° 24.981′ W. Marker is in Madison, Wisconsin, in Dane County. It is in Regent. Marker is on North Prospect Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 205 North Prospect Avenue, Madison WI 53726, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Smith-Ogg House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Morehouse House (about 600 feet away); Buell House (about 600 feet away); Terrace Homes Apartments (approx. 0.2 miles away); Elliott House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Gilmore House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Scientific Approach to Agriculture (approx. ¼ mile away); University of Wisconsin Dairy Barn (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.
Regarding Ely House. According to the Madison Landmarks Commission, "Designed by regionally important architect, Charles Frost of Chicago, the Richard and Anna Ely house is an elegant late Victorian version of the Georgian Revival. The Georgian Revival had been popular on the east coast for some time, but this is one of the first to be built in Madison. This house follows the general design of the 1759 Longfellow house in Cambridge, Massachusetts, but embellished with Victorian details. Professor Ely was a nationally known economist whose progressive, socialist teachings, caused him to be tried in 1894 by the Board of Regents in a famous formal inquiry which resulted in Ely's vindication and in the declaration of academic freedom: 'whatever may be the limitations which trammel inquiry elsewhere, we believe that the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continued [sic] and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.'"
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Links to a marker for the Longfellow house and a plaque with the Board of Regents quote.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2011, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,712 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 24, 2011, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.