Historic House Gummere House – Burlington, New Jersey
When you are taking the walking tour of the historic homes in Burlington you will want to visit the Gummere House. This was the home of the Gummere brothers, John Gummere and Samuel R. Gummere, and John’s son, Samuel J. Gummere. They were prominent members of the Society of Friends.
The house is from the ca 1721 with the history of being instrumental in providing the home for some of the most prominent educators of the era.
Born in 1784, John Gummere was a prominent Quaker educator and author of textbooks throughout the early nineteenth century. In 1814, he was elected a member of the American Philosophical Society, and published his Treatise on Surveying. The treatise was especially for use in schools and the first edition was published by Kimber & Richardson of Philadelphia in 1814. It ran through twenty-two editions, and was the standard surveying text for students and professionals until the time of the Civil War. It remained in print until 1917.
1814 also saw the founding of the Gummere Academy on East Union Street in Burlington, a boys’ school offering classical education, with John as its president. In 1821, he published a textbook on astronomy. John was instrumental in the founding of Haverford College, where he served as president and taught mathematics from 1834 to 1843. He returned to Burlington in 1843 and again served as the President of the Gummere Academy until he passed away in 1845.
Samuel R Gummere was a Quaker educator and author of early textbooks in the 1800′s. His books focused on spelling, grammar and elocution (the art of public speaking). While John founded the Gummere Academy, Samuel founded the Gummere Girls’ School in 1826. He was also instrumental in the founding of Haverford College.
The house these two men lived in is part of the historical tour of the community of Burlington.
Location: 222 Wood Street, Burlington, New Jersey
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