Canary Cottage

Canary Cottage (c.1927-1928) was the personal residence of Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown, where she hosted numerous social functions for faculty, students, and her many friends., Dr. Brown did keep canaries at her home. It is because of the birds, the cottage's exterior paint color, or both that the house acquired its name. It was a modern urban style home with two full bathrooms, central heating from radiators, a refrigerator, electric lights, telephones, and a radio in the library., The house is currently restored and furnished to look as it would have in the late 1930s and early 1940s when Dr. Brown lived here with her three nieces, all students at Palmer. Canary Cottage was also home for female teachers and other women staff members, as well as younger students and visiting relatives., To train students in cultured behavior, Dr. Brown hosted teas and other social events in her home. She held a formal reception on the east-side lawn before the first day of classes each year., Canary Cottage was the model for the Carrie M. Stone Cottage (1948) next door and the Massachusetts Congregational Cottage (1950) at the east end of campus. Its location allowed Dr. Brown to look out over the school. From her desk and easy chair, she could observe the buildings and grounds and watch students as they walked across campus.