EB Morgan House

"EB Morgan House, 431 Main St, Aurora, NY"----

History of EB Morgan House

Built between 1857 and 1858 in the heart of the Finger Lakes, the EB Morgan House remains one of Aurora, New York's most striking landmarks. Constructed at a cost of $50,000 (a staggering sum for the 19^th century) Edwin Barber Morgan built this Italianate styled home for his wife, Charlotte Wood Morgan, and their children.

EB Morgan was born in Aurora in 1806, and maintained a home there his entire life. From a young age, Morgan showed considerable business savvy; and as a child worked alongside his father at the family store. Once an adult, EB Morgan made money as an entrepreneur in the trade industry on Cayuga Lake. With the capital he earned there, he built the Aurora Inn in 1833. It was on the dock behind the Aurora Inn that EB Morgan met the man who would become his lifelong friend and business partner Henry Wells. EB Morgan became an early investor in several of Wells business ventures including his American Express Company, and the Wells Fargo Company. Morgan was also an investor in many local enterprises, and an initial investor in the New York Times.

The prominent Ithaca resident Ezra Cornell was another of EB Morgan's business partners, and in the 1870s they invested in the Cayuga Lake Railroad Company. The train ran along Cayuga Lake behind both the Inn and EB Morgan's private home; and while most homeowners would see this as a detriment, Morgan saw it as a chance to monitor his investment. It is said that he would stand with a watch in hand as the train ran through his yard to check it's punctuality.

With his loved ones around him in his cherished home, EB Morgan dedicated his later years to the support of local charities. Most notable was his support of Henry Wells' efforts to establish a women's liberal arts college in Aurora. Their dream was finally realized when Wells College opened as a seminary in 1866.

Following EB Morgan's death, the EB Morgan House became the home of his daughter and her husband Nicholas Zabriskie. The mansion remained a Morgan-Zabriskie family home until it was donated to Wells College in 1961. Wells college used the home as dormitories for it's students who were studying French, and only French was allowed to be spoken there. While being used as a French immersion dormitory the EB Morgan House gained the name of "French House;" a name many locals continue to use today.

EB Morgan House Today

Foundation, has returned the EB Morgan House to its former splendor. Throughout its renovation, the Foundation focused on maintaining the history of the house while turning it into a lake front retreat. The EB Morgan House features seven guest rooms, spacious living areas, and a shaded porch that over looks Cayuga lake.

radio/CD players, and sitting areas. Four rooms feature gas fireplaces, and three have a double shower. The Morgan House is available for individual room rental, or if one chooses the whole house can be rented out for any event, from a family reunion to an elegant yet intimate wedding. The house can accommodate up to 14 for a seated dinner served on Mackenzie-Childs china or 48 for a cocktail reception. For any event hosted at the EB Morgan House are catered by the chefs from the Aurora Inn.

ources

*CongBio|M000948

*cite book
last = Edmunds
first = Shelia
title = Aurora: Time Well Spent
date = 2000

External links

* [http://www.aurora-inn.com/eb_morgan_house/home.html/ EB Morgan House Website]