Apalachicola in Franklin County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Dr. Alvan W. Chapman House
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, December 27, 2016
1. The Dr. Alvan W. Chapman House Marker
Inscription.
The Dr. Alvan W. Chapman House. . This classical Greek Revival style house served as the residence of Dr. Alvan Wentworth Chapman, physician, scientist, and eminent botanist, whose research and writings on the flora of the South received international recognition. Born in 1809 in Massachusetts, Dr. Chapman came to Florida in 1835, and by 1847 had settled in Apalachicola. He built this house in 1847, and lived here almost continuously until his death in 1899. Active in the community, Dr. Chapman served as county judge, mayor, and collector of customs. Among the many plants named in his honor is the Chapman Rhododendron, so named by noted Harvard professor Asa Fray. Dr. Chapman was also associated with the Smithsonian, furnishing that institution’s first specimens of butterfly chrysalises of this locality. His first herbarium is located at the New York Botanical Garden; his second, including his original manuscript, “Flora of the Southern United States,” is at the Biltmore Estate near Ashville, North Carolina. Dr. Chapman died here and was buried in nearby Chestnut Cemetery. Dramatically altered during the 20th century, the house underwent a complete restoration, completed and now appears as it did during Dr. Chapman’s residency.
This classical Greek Revival style house served as the residence of Dr. Alvan Wentworth Chapman, physician, scientist, and eminent botanist, whose research and writings on the flora of the South received international recognition. Born in 1809 in Massachusetts, Dr. Chapman came to Florida in 1835, and by 1847 had settled in Apalachicola. He built this house in 1847, and lived here almost continuously until his death in 1899. Active in the community, Dr. Chapman served as county judge, mayor, and collector of customs. Among the many plants named in his honor is the Chapman Rhododendron, so named by noted Harvard professor Asa Fray. Dr. Chapman was also associated with the Smithsonian, furnishing that institution’s first specimens of butterfly chrysalises of this locality. His first herbarium is located at the New York Botanical Garden; his second, including his original manuscript, “Flora of the Southern United States,” is at the Biltmore Estate near Ashville, North Carolina. Dr. Chapman died here and was buried in nearby Chestnut Cemetery. Dramatically altered during the 20th century, the house underwent a complete restoration, completed and now appears as it did during Dr. Chapman’s residency.
Erected 2012 by Dr. Helen E.A. Tudor, Walter B. Melvin, A.I.A. and the Florida Department
Location. 29° 43.534′ N, 84° 59.228′ W. Marker is in Apalachicola, Florida, in Franklin County. Marker is at the intersection of Avenue E (U.S. 98) and Battery Park Lane, on the right when traveling west on Avenue E. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 82 6th Street, Apalachicola FL 32320, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. An identical marker is located 140 feet northeast of here.
Regarding The Dr. Alvan W. Chapman House.
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, August 6, 2019
2. The Dr. Alvan W. Chapman House Marker
The house is now the Chapman House Museum.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 9, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 13, 2020. This page has been viewed 363 times since then and 81 times this year. Last updated on August 3, 2020. Photos:1, 2. submitted on March 13, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
