Clovernook Cary House
Clovernook Cary House (Cary Cottage): A Comprehensive Description and Historical Context
Visual Description: The Clovernook Cary House, also known as Cary Cottage, is a charming and historically significant building nestled in North College Hill, Ohio, just outside Cincinnati.The photograph features a plain, small, painted brick, white 2 story building with dark green shutters. There are 5 window son the front of the cottage. The door is white and has 3 steps leading up to it. In front of the cottage is an Ohio historical plaque with a description of the cottage's history (read below). There is a short skinny sidewalk in front of the house than shows trees and bushes on either side. The yard is grass. In the back of the cottage you can barely see a patio on the second floor.
This quaint cottage is a fine example of 19th-century vernacular architecture, characterized by its simple yet elegant design. The exterior of the Cary House features white clapboard siding, gabled roofs, and a welcoming front porch that stretches across the front, supported by sturdy wooden columns. The cottage’s windows are framed with shutters, adding a touch of traditional style to its appearance. Mature trees and lush gardens surround the house, creating a peaceful and inviting atmosphere that reflects the home’s pastoral origins. The grounds around the cottage are carefully maintained, featuring a variety of native plants, flowering bushes, and meandering pathways that enhance the site's natural beauty and historical ambiance.
Historical Context: Built in the 1830s, the Clovernook Cary House holds a special place in the history of Cincinnati and American literature. It was the home of sisters Alice and Phoebe Cary, two of the most influential women writers of the 19th century. The Cary sisters were known for their poetry, essays, and advocacy for social reform, including women's rights and the abolition of slavery. Their literary talents and progressive ideals brought them national recognition, making their home a gathering place for some of the most prominent figures in the literary and intellectual communities of the time.
The Cary Cottage was a hub of creativity and activism, where the sisters wrote many of their most celebrated works and hosted guests who shared their passion for literature and social change. The house itself, with its unpretentious style and rural charm, reflects the values of the Cary family—simplicity, creativity, and a commitment to social justice. It stands as a symbol of the pioneering spirit of women in a time when their voices were often unheard in public discourse.
Today, the Clovernook Cary House is part of the larger Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, which was established in the early 20th century on the Cary family's former estate. The center continues the legacy of the Cary sisters by providing services, support, and opportunities for people with visual impairments. The preservation of the Cary Cottage as a historic site is a tribute to the Cary sisters' contributions to literature and their lasting impact on the community.
In addition to its literary significance, the house is a reminder of the area's early settlement history and the role that small rural estates played in shaping the region's cultural landscape. The cottage is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, recognized not only for its architectural charm but also for its association with the remarkable lives of Alice and Phoebe Cary.
In summary, the Clovernook Cary House is more than just a historic building; it is a beacon of cultural and social progress, a place where creativity, advocacy, and community intersected in the 19th century. The cottage's enduring presence in North College Hill serves as a testament to the legacy of the Cary sisters and their contributions to American literature and social reform. It remains a cherished landmark that continues to inspire visitors with its stories of creativity, resilience, and dedication to making a difference in society.
