THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

Hower House Museum

Many people examining a book in an archival storage area

HISTORY

Two people leaning in to examine a museum display

HOUSE

Students working with artifacts around a table

EVENTS

About the Hower House Museum

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 The Hower House was completed in 1871 and was built by John Henry Hower, a leading Akron industrialist who was active in the milling, reaping, and cereal industries. Hower and his wife, Susan Youngker Hower, moved from Doylestown, Ohio, to Akron in 1865. Hower, along with Jacob Snyder, a well-known Akron architect, designed this house in the Second Empire Italianate style. This 28-room mansion is capped with a distinctive mansard roof and soaring tower. The unusual floor plan was based on the” “Akron Plan,” developed by Jacob Snyder and widely used in church constructions as part of the “Sunday School movement” across the United States between 1870 and 1917. The mansion is filled with hundreds of treasures and furnishings the Hower family collected from around the world.

Read more about our history

Announcements

Closed To Prepare for Holiday 2024 

October 25th - November 6th

Is Open for Tours starting March 1st!

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The Hower House Museum has completed it's annual post holiday deep cleaning after a very busy holiday season. Now everything is back in order and we are ready to start accepting company!

Beginning Friday March 1, 2024 we will be open to the public on Friday and Saturdays. The doors open at 12:00PM and the last tour starts at 2:00PM. Please call 330.972.6909 to RSVP. RSVPs are not required but appreciated. We are located at 60 Fir Hill Akron OH 44304. 

Student volunteers are always welcome! Please email howerhouse@uakron.edu to find out more on how to join our family.

The Hower House Museum is available to schedule tours, outside of the public tour hours, for University of Akron courses, groups (Student, Alumni, Faculty, Staff, Etc.), and student organizations. 

Site Dedicated To Research About The Hower Family 
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Acting Like A Hower Unclass Spring 2023 Students
The Hower House Museum is dedicated to preserving the history of the Hower Family. A wonderful collaboration with Dr. Hillary Nunn from the University of Akron has allowed for students to participate in  EX[L] Center Unclasses such as "Acting Like a Hower" and "Menus and Manuscripts".  Please click the link below to access their research and blogs. Topics include Grace Hower Crawford's connection to the theater, Hower Family Recipes, and Hower Family Travel Correspondence. 

Location, hours and contact



60 Fir Street, Akron OH, 44304

Hower House and Museum 

We are Open! 

Starting Friday March 1, 2024.
Tours to the public will be available on Fridays and Saturdays, 
12:00PM-3:00PM with the last tour starting at 2:00PM. 
Please call  or email if you would like more information.
330.972.6909 or dmm47@uakron.edu

Phone: 330.972.6909
Email: howerhouse@uakron.edu
Parking: Free parking is available in the parking lot adjacent to the building.

ADMISSION:

$10.00 adults, $8.00 senior citizens (65+ years), $2.00 for students (all university students: please show ID); children 12 years and under are free with a paid adult admission; 

The Hower House Museum participates in the Museums for All Program. Admission is $2 for any guest (up to 4 guests 18 and over) who present the US Gov issued electronic benefit transfer card (EBT) upon arrival.  Children will be free with a paying adult.

https://museums4all.org/

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