Architect: Orson Squire Fowler
Orson Squire Fowler, born in 1809 and died in 1887, was the architect behind the Octagon House. In the 1800s, Fowler and his brother, Lorenzo Niles Fowler, were widely known for their interest and teachings in phrenology, a subject which led directly to the Octagon House’s unique structure. According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, phrenology is defined as “the study of the conformation of the skull based on the belief that it is indicative of mental faculties and character.” After attending a lecture by an Australian intellectual named Dr. Spurzheim, a foremost academic in the study of phrenology at the time, Fowler became one of the leading proponents of this idea in the United States.
Orson and Lorenzo Fowler came from Cohocton, New York. Once they had established an interest in the subject, the two of them started teaching group lessons and doing examinations of people’s skulls around the northeast area of the country. At one point, Orson opened a practice in Washington, but he soon traveled to Philadelphia. In 1838 he began the Phrenological Museum, also subsequently printing his own journal, The American Phrenological Journal. This enterprise relocated in 1842 to New York City and became the popular Phrenological Cabinet. Later, The Fowlers’ sister Charlotte married a man named Samuel Robert Wells. He opened a publishing house with them in 1944, called Fowler and Wells, to spread their teachings about phrenology. One of the most influential books they published was The Illustrated Self-Instructor. The business also sold sculptures and casts illustrating phrenological teachings, along with other resources related to the study. Over the years, these men extended their services to such characters as Walt Whitman, Clara Barton, Mark Twain, and John Greenleaf Whittier.
Orson Fowler’s motto was “Know thyself.” He believed that the self-knowledge gained from these studies of the skull was important because it could guide a person to self-improvement. He believed that every area of people’s lives should help them become a better person. This concept led Fowler to create a house which could also improve a person’s health. A great believer in the benefits of fresh air, an active lifestyle, cleanliness, and refraining from the consumption of addictive substances, Fowler’s new architectural design stemmed from these personal values. It was meant to permit more sunlight and improved airflow into the space. The sides and angles of the octagon allowed this more than traditional four-walled housing. Although Fowler did not specifically build Neenah’s Hiram Smith Octagon House, he was the architect for octagon houses in general. A type of building which he made immensely popular during the nineteenth century and was the basis for the home Edward Smith ordered built in 1855.
Orson Squire Fowler, born in 1809 and died in 1887, was the architect behind the Octagon House. In the 1800s, Fowler and his brother, Lorenzo Niles Fowler, were widely known for their interest and teachings in phrenology, a subject which led directly to the Octagon House’s unique structure. According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, phrenology is defined as “the study of the conformation of the skull based on the belief that it is indicative of mental faculties and character.” After attending a lecture by an Australian intellectual named Dr. Spurzheim, a foremost academic in the study of phrenology at the time, Fowler became one of the leading proponents of this idea in the United States.
Orson and Lorenzo Fowler came from Cohocton, New York. Once they had established an interest in the subject, the two of them started teaching group lessons and doing examinations of people’s skulls around the northeast area of the country. At one point, Orson opened a practice in Washington, but he soon traveled to Philadelphia. In 1838 he began the Phrenological Museum, also subsequently printing his own journal, The American Phrenological Journal. This enterprise relocated in 1842 to New York City and became the popular Phrenological Cabinet. Later, The Fowlers’ sister Charlotte married a man named Samuel Robert Wells. He opened a publishing house with them in 1944, called Fowler and Wells, to spread their teachings about phrenology. One of the most influential books they published was The Illustrated Self-Instructor. The business also sold sculptures and casts illustrating phrenological teachings, along with other resources related to the study. Over the years, these men extended their services to such characters as Walt Whitman, Clara Barton, Mark Twain, and John Greenleaf Whittier.
Orson Fowler’s motto was “Know thyself.” He believed that the self-knowledge gained from these studies of the skull was important because it could guide a person to self-improvement. He believed that every area of people’s lives should help them become a better person. This concept led Fowler to create a house which could also improve a person’s health. A great believer in the benefits of fresh air, an active lifestyle, cleanliness, and refraining from the consumption of addictive substances, Fowler’s new architectural design stemmed from these personal values. It was meant to permit more sunlight and improved airflow into the space. The sides and angles of the octagon allowed this more than traditional four-walled housing. Although Fowler did not specifically build Neenah’s Hiram Smith Octagon House, he was the architect for octagon houses in general. A type of building which he made immensely popular during the nineteenth century and was the basis for the home Edward Smith ordered built in 1855.
Builder: Abraham Briggs Bowen
Abraham Briggs Bowen, the son of a successful farmer, was born in Washington County, New York on September 20, 1812. He and his wife, Mary Ann Campbell, started a farm in Onondaga County, New York. In 1846, he moved to Fond du Lac and began to purchase and sell real estate. This was how Bowen came to be the owner of the property where the Octagon house is now located. Bowen was also involved in the steam ships running between Oshkosh and Fond Du Lac. In 1854 he moved to Appleton, and moved again in 1856 to Oshkosh. During his time in Oshkosh, he became involved in the lumber industry and stock farming in Nebraska. Bowen died on June 5, 1882.
Abraham Briggs Bowen, the son of a successful farmer, was born in Washington County, New York on September 20, 1812. He and his wife, Mary Ann Campbell, started a farm in Onondaga County, New York. In 1846, he moved to Fond du Lac and began to purchase and sell real estate. This was how Bowen came to be the owner of the property where the Octagon house is now located. Bowen was also involved in the steam ships running between Oshkosh and Fond Du Lac. In 1854 he moved to Appleton, and moved again in 1856 to Oshkosh. During his time in Oshkosh, he became involved in the lumber industry and stock farming in Nebraska. Bowen died on June 5, 1882.
The four paneled door at the main entrance of the house was placed there in 1994. The door has multi-paneled sidelights and transom which are believed to be original. When you open the door, you are immediately struck with the awkwardness of the octagon shape. The door opens at an angle that allows it to hit the nearest wall, and the first thing you see are the stairs which ascend at a steep slope in order to make it to the next floor before the octagon shape requires a turn.
Works Cited:
"Phrenology." Merriam-webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 10 May 2014.
"Phrenology and Orson S. Fowler." Octagon House of Camillus. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2014.
<http://www.octagonhouseofcamillus.org/architectural/architectural.html>.
Schroeder, Rick. Hiram Smith House. Historic Structure Report. N.p.: n.p., 3 March 2003. Print.
Stern, Madeleine B. Heads & Headlines: The Phrenological Fowlers. Norman: U of Oklahoma P, 1971.
"The Fowler Brothers." Talking Heads. Boston, Massachusetts: Boston Medical Library, 1970. 5. Countway.harvard.edu. Web. 10 May 2014.
*Pictures were taken by Olivia Will, courtesy of Ms. Jane Lang and the Neenah Historical Society.
"Phrenology." Merriam-webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 10 May 2014.
"Phrenology and Orson S. Fowler." Octagon House of Camillus. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2014.
<http://www.octagonhouseofcamillus.org/architectural/architectural.html>.
Schroeder, Rick. Hiram Smith House. Historic Structure Report. N.p.: n.p., 3 March 2003. Print.
Stern, Madeleine B. Heads & Headlines: The Phrenological Fowlers. Norman: U of Oklahoma P, 1971.
"The Fowler Brothers." Talking Heads. Boston, Massachusetts: Boston Medical Library, 1970. 5. Countway.harvard.edu. Web. 10 May 2014.
*Pictures were taken by Olivia Will, courtesy of Ms. Jane Lang and the Neenah Historical Society.