John Hill House
Introduction
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The John Hill House
Backstory and Context
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Originally built in 1836 by William Johns (a former Burgess and physcian), the John Hill House would go on to be owned by several other prominent Erie citizens. In 1840, Pierre S. V. Hamot purchased the house, though he did not actually live there; the house was apparently for his daughter, thougth it's unclear as to whether she spent much time there either.
In 1854, carpenter John Hill purchased the house, and his additions gave it the architectural significance we recognize today. In 1888, George Seldon, of the Erie cosmopolitan social elite, purchased the home for two of his nieces. It remained in the Seldon family until 1929.
The John Hill is recognizable by its combined elements of Greek Revival and Italian Villa architecture. Even so, the house is today the best remaining example of the Italian Villa style which was at one time extremely popular with the wealthy citizens of Erie. The John Hill House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
Sources
Pennsylvania SP Hill, John, House, National Archive Catalog. Accessed October 14th 2020. https://catalog.archives.gov/id/71995533.
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