Historic Site

Ethan and Mary Baker Allen Chapter House

	Ethan and Mary Baker Allen Chapter House - Quick Facts
HSP Category	Building
Period	1915
Architect	Frank Lyman Austin
HSP Style	Building
Builder	A. N. Brown
Construction	brick with polychromed slate roof
No. Stories	one story with full basement and attic
Notable Features	Precisely-square; pedimented porticoes; railed roof walk; octagonal, peristyle lantern with small dome & original weathervane
Original Use	Chapter House, Town of Cornwall Library, Meeting House "for the use of the residents of Cornwall"
Present Use	Chapter House, Meeting House

The Mary Baker Allen Chapter House in Cornwall, Vermont, is Vermont's only D.A.R. Chapter House erected expressly to serve that function. It bears an historical name chosen by chapter members to honor the woman who was mother to Green Mountain Boys Ethan and Ira Allen, and aunt to fellow militiaman Remember Baker. The building was funded in its entirety by a gift from Martha Elizabeth Samson Porter, a descendant of one of Cornwall's early families, at a time when women did not yet have the vote. The building houses a large bronze plaque, commissioned by the Cornwall Daughters, giving the names of those from Cornwall who served during the American Revolution.

Acknowledgements: We have undertaken the work of making the building accessible and open for year-round use. With no heat or hot water, it can only be used from May until October, and access is challenging for someone with limited mobility. Efforts are underway to turn the former library into a local research library, and to give the Cornwall Historical Society a place to meet and to display its artifacts. The SAR and the Vermont Old Cemetery Association use it for meetings.

Form Submitted By: Ethan and Mary Baker Allen Chapter, NSDAR 8/5/2025

Funded By:

All funding is by the Ethan and Mary Baker Allen Chapter, through grant writing, fundraising and direct donations by members. The Town of Cornwall partnered with us, providing a grant that will make it possible to install heating and cooling. The Town also grants us a waiver of property taxes. We have written and received grants for historic preservation work and installation of high-speed internet, and are pursuing funding for the repair & replacement of wood trim, repair of the fireplace & chimney, and for historically sympathetic renovations that will make the building accessible for those with limited mobility.

Information for the Visitors:

What you need to know if interested in visiting this destination:

Condition of Property: Preserve & Rehabilitate
Open to the Public? Yes
Public Fee: none, donations accepted
Public Hours: Memorial & Independence Days, Cornwall History Day, or by app't
Is it Family Friendly? Yes
Lodging? No
Brochure available? Yes
Catalog available? No
DVD available? No
Calendar of Events? Yes, local newspaper; Front Porch Forum, a virtual community in Vermont; Vermont Historical Society

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Units Overseas

Directions and application forms can be found on this page or in the Forms section of the DAR members' website.

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Ethan and Mary Baker Allen Chapter House

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