Property Record
1225 OBSERVATORY DR
Architecture and History Inventory
Historic Name: | Observatory Director's Residence; Washburn House |
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Other Name: | Observatory Hill Office, Building #90 |
Contributing: | |
Reference Number: | 102235 |
Location (Address): | 1225 OBSERVATORY DR |
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County: | Dane |
City: | Madison |
Township/Village: | |
Unincorporated Community: | |
Town: | |
Range: | |
Direction: | |
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Quarter Section: | |
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Year Built: | 1854 |
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Additions: | |
Survey Date: | 1974 |
Historic Use: | house |
Architectural Style: | Italianate |
Structural System: | |
Wall Material: | Brick |
Architect: | |
Other Buildings On Site: | |
Demolished?: | No |
Demolished Date: |
National/State Register Listing Name: | Washburn Observatory and Observatory Director's Residence |
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National Register Listing Date: | 3/14/1985 |
State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
National Register Multiple Property Name: |
Additional Information: | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office. 1988- "This was originally the University's president's house. Built in 1855, this Italianate style home originally shared Observatory Hill only with the Washburn Observatory and a peach grove. Presidents Paul A. Chadbourne, John H. Twombly, and John Bascom lived here during their administrations. After president Bascom moved out in 1878, the first University astronomer and director of the observatory, James Watson, moved in. The building was then called "Astronomer's House" for several decades. In 1988, it was the home of the La Follette Institute for Public Affairs." |
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Bibliographic References: | University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Wisconsin-Madison Tour Guide: Henry Mall and West Campus, 1988. |
Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |