Program

NYS Historic, Pomeroy Education Program

Subject

Education, House

Location

16 Goldenrod Dr, Potsdam, NY 13699, USA

Lat/Long

44.666417, -74.998253

Grant Recipient

Clarkson University

Holcroft House is located on Clarkson University Campus. The home is thought to have been built in 1822 by John C. Clarkson. It was initially called the Mansion House and was passed down through various family members until it reached the hands of T. Streatfield Clarkson sometime around 1850. He is credited with having renovated it in 1853 and adding the mansard roof. After his passing in 1902, his daughter Emilie (Clarkson) Moore inherited the house. In 1905, she passed the home to her sister, Annie Clarkson. Annie lived in the home until her passing in 1929. Before she passed away, in 1928, she gave the home and 600 acres of land surrounding it to Clarkson University.

Clarkson University was founded by three of Annie’s aunts, Elizabeth, Lavinia, and Frederica Clarkson in 1896, in memory of their brother Thomas S. Clarkson III.

The student-led application for this grant came from students at Clarkson University, led by Professor of History Stephen Casper. The students researched the Holcroft House, then gathered and submitted the required materials for the historical marker as part of our Pomeroy Education Program.