Project College Hill Residence
Joseph and Frances (Osborne) Denison came to the Kansas Territory in the mid 1800’s as part of the New England Emigrant Aid Company – a group of free-state settlers intent on stopping the expansion of slavery. Joseph was a pioneer Methodist missionary and served as the first president of Blue Mont Central College, Kansas State Agricultural College, and later Baker University. Frances was a renaissance woman in her own right; pioneer farmer, mother, student advocate, suffragette, and supporter of African-American rights.
The original limestone home was built for Joseph and Frances on College Hill near the original Blue Mont Central College site. BBN has provided architectural services for multiple projects on the property including a major living area and master suite addition to the north and a pool and pool-house addition to the northwest. Understanding the cultural context and sensitively responding to the original architecture were critical design goals.