• Building: Backus House
  • Use: Offices, Classrooms, Meeting Space, Event Rentals
  • Address: 210 W. Madison Street
  • Architect: Norris G. Starkweather
  • Builder: Edmund G. Lind (likely)
  • Date: 1855
  • Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

 

Original owner: Dr. John Chester Backus & Letitia Backus (nee Cooper). Dr. Backus was the pastor of the church when the Sanctuary building was constructed. The house was bought at auction by First Presbyterian Church (later First & Franklin) in 1921.

Mantlepieces: William Henry Rinehart. William Henry Rinehart left his estate in trust for the teaching of sculpture at the Maryland Institute College of Art. In his name, MICA established the Rinehart School of Sculpture and a Rinehart fellowship.

 

National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form (.pdf)

Backus House