Hower House, completed in 1871, became a manifestation of architectural craftsmanship by John Henry Hower, an influential industrialist of Akron, known as "Father of Akron Industry." Having moved to Akron from Doylestown, Ohio, in 1865 with his wife, he designed a grand mansion in the Second Empire Italian Renaissance style. This 28-room house, distinguished by its mansard roof and high tower, features an unconventional plan based on the "Akron Plan," developed by Snyder and widely used in church construction across the USA from 1870 to 1917.
The house remained in the Hower family’s possession for over 100 years before being transferred to Akron University in 1970. In 1973, the house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and since the mid-1980s, it has operated as a historic museum. The three-story building features a grand hall and servant quarters on the third floor. Lawns and majestic trees create a green oasis of tranquility on the Akron University campus. Today, Hower House remains one of the best-preserved and finest examples of its style in the country, supported by private donations. It has become a lasting symbol of the era of elegance in America.
Current information:
Address: 60 Fir Hill, Akron, OH 44304
Contacts: +1 330-972-6909
Hours:
Fri-Sat 12:00-15:00 (12:00 PM - 03:00 PM)
Sun 13:00-16:00 (01:00 PM - 04:00 PM)
Mon-Thu - Closed
