East Lansing in Ingham County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Alice Cowles House

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, April 15, 2022

1. Alice Cowles House Marker

Inscription. The central portion of this house was constructed in 1857 as a home for the first president of the college. It was occupied by President Williams and President Abbot until 1874. When a new president's house was built on the site now occupied by Gilchrist Dormitory and this building became the home for Professor Beal, and later Professor Bessey, both distinguished botanists. Subsequent occupants included Secretary Halladay and Governor Murphy. At other times it was used for education offices and as a residence for women students. In 1941, it again became the president's house. In 1949-50 it was extensively remodeled and rebuilt with funds bequeathed to the college by Frederick Cowles Jenison, and named Alice Cowles House in honor of his mother.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1857.

Location. 42° 43.995′ N, 84° 29.073′ W. Marker is in East Lansing, Michigan, in Ingham County. Marker is at the intersection of West Circle Drive and Abbot Road, on the left when traveling west on West Circle Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Abbot Road, East Lansing MI 48823, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Alice B. Cowles House (within shouting distance of this marker); Walter Adams Field (within shouting distance

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of this marker); Botanical Laboratory (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sleepy Hollow (about 600 feet away); "That a Ladies Course be Organized" (about 700 feet away); Michigan State University (about 800 feet away); The Rededication of the Beaumont Tower Bells (about 800 feet away); W.J. Beal Botanical Garden (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in East Lansing.

Also see . . . Cowles House (East_Lansing,_Michigan). Excerpt:

After Hannah, three presidents have chosen not to live in the house: Walter Adams during his nine months as Acting President in 1969 and 1970, Lou Anna Simon from 2005 to 2018, and Satish Udpa during his eight months as acting president in 2019. All three preferred to remain in their East Lansing homes, and instead used Cowles House primarily for formal entertaining and other official university functions. The house was being renovated during most of Udpa's tenure.

(Submitted on November 20, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, April 15, 2022

2. Alice Cowles House Marker

Alice Cowles House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, April 15, 2022

3. Alice Cowles House

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, April 15, 2022

4. Alice Cowles House Marker

Side 1 of the Michigan Historic Site marker that is streetside for the Cowles House.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 19, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 79 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 19, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 20, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.