The Baldwin House

The Baldwin House, at 49 East Main Street, is currently the home of  the Hudson Community Foundation, Hudson Heritage, Hudson Community First and Hudson Job Search.

• The front porch has an unmatched view of the historic green of downtown Hudson, which continues to be the hub of activity that it always has been.  A friendly sign welcomes passers-by to enjoy the porch’s two rockers which provide a shady spot to rest.
• The classic Greek Revival house was built in 1832 by Frederick Baldwin, an early Hudson merchant.  Caroline Baldwin Babcock was born here nine years after it was built.  She founded the Hudson Library and Historical Society in 1910 at the age of 69.  When Mrs. Babcock died at the age of 80, she left over $100,000  – considered to be a great fortune in 1921 –  to the library, which eventually purchased her birthplace for its home.
• The Hudson Library and Historical Society made use of this house from 1925 until it opened its new building in 2005.  For much of that time, the Library Director lived on the second floor.
• The Burton D. Morgan Foundation renovated the exterior of the house.  You will see plaques throughout – naming rights were giving to those that contributed funds to the Hudson Community Foundation that were used to help renovate the interior.  Furnishings were also donated.
• Caroline Baldwin Babcock’s legacy not only lives on in this building but also in the example she set as one of Hudson’s first civic benefactors.  We like to think she’d be happy that it now houses the Hudson Community Foundation, whose mission is,  “Enriching Hudson Forever… by Empowering Simple, Smart and Meaningful Philanthropy.”

Conference Room

• What is now the conference room was two smaller rooms in the 19^TH century, one probably being a bedroom or study.  Some visitors may recall that in the 1990’s, this was the Simon Reading Room where library programs were held.
• A photo on the wall is of Abi Hinsdale Brown, the third wife of Owen Brown – who was the father of John Brown.   She is also the great-grandmother of Margaret Clark Morgan, wife of Burton D. Morgan of the foundation next door.  Her own foundation is located adjacent to the southwest corner of the green.
• The three prints depicting life in early Hudson are by Hudson’s own, Lowell Ellsworth Smith.  The bird print on the south wall is by Cincinnati artist John Ruthvin.
• The Hudson Fireworks Fund was established by the Hudson Community Foundation after the 30+-year tradition was interrupted in 2006 due to lack of funding.  For the last 5 years HCF has been collecting funds for the current year’s display, but also to build an endowment to continue this cherished community event for future generations.
• The Fireworks is just one example of the many community events and organizations that the Hudson Community Foundation is involved with currently or has helped to launch.  Others include the Farmer’s Market, Taste of Hudson and Hudson Community First, just to name a few.

 

Hudson Home & Garden Tour

• The historic Baldwin House, home of the Hudson Community Foundation, was proud to be part of the 2011 Hudson Home & Garden Tour.  Over 2000 guests toured the beautifully restore Greek Revival-style house, where they were offered water, compliments of Culligan Water, and home-made cookies in a fireworks theme.  The fireworks theme was established to bring attention to the fact that Hudson Community Foundation leads the efforts to raise the funds needed to support the annual Hudson Fireworks.
• Hudson Garden Club reinforced the fireworks theme by creating an impressive flower arrangement, complete with actual fireworks, to adorn the large conference room table.  Volunteers shared information about the Foundation and the Baldwin House as guests proceeded through the first floor.
• Guests are always welcome to stop in and see the beautiful Baldwin House.

 

Office/Sitting Room

• In the lavatory, the sink and matching soap dispenser were hand-painted by local artist Debbie Currin, who also designed the vanity.
• In the 19^TH century the room, which is currently an office and sitting room, may have been a dining room.  During the time the library occupied the Baldwin House, this room was used as the Archives Room, as Library Director Tom Vince’s office, and most recently as the Media Room.
• A picture on the back wall is of Louella Dodds, who has the distinction of serving on the Library Board longer than anyone else.  She was also known as the right hand to James Ellsworth.  Her husband started Dodd’s Department Store.

The Parlor

•  An original painting of the Baldwin House, done by founder and 2011-15 HCF Board President Phil Tobin, hangs in the front hall.
• The home’s front room was the formal parlor during the 19^TH century, and then became the museum room for several decades when the library was housed here.  Prior to the library ownership, the house had been used as a millinery shop which may account for the long windows that look out on the Green.
• The fine fireplace mantle is another Greek Revival detail and was probably restored during the 1924 restoration of the house. Notice the Flow Blue plate to the right of the clock, named after the smudging effect that occurred during the firing process.

• The door leading to Aurora Street was considered a “funeral door” and would have only been opened when the coffin of a loved one was either moved into/or out of this room.  Calling hours for the deceased were always held at home.