Cowles House

Cowles House is a two-story residential structure at Michigan State University with original foundations and exterior walls from 1857. The building has undergone several architectural modifications over the decades to serve its evolving role within the university community.

Originally designated as Faculty Row House Number 7, the building served as home to early university presidents Joseph R. Williams and T. C. Abbot. It survived the institution's growth and transformation to become the official presidential residence it is today.

The residence was named in 1950 to honor Alice B. Cowles through renovations funded by Frederick Cowles Jenison. It now serves as a living symbol of the university's connection to its founding era and the families who shaped its early development.

The residence now functions as the official presidential home of Michigan State University and hosts formal university events. Access is typically limited since it remains an active working residence rather than a public museum.

Professor William J. Beal, a botanist, lived in the house for 39 years while maintaining his academic position at the university. His long residency demonstrates how the building housed both administrators and prominent scholars during different eras.

Inception: 1857

GPS coordinates: 42.73340,-84.48450

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:02