History

Preserving the Past…

The Bowen House has played a part in the lives of many people over a hundred and seventy years.

John Rochester, a merchant who moved from England with his family in the early 1800s, Shortly after their arrival the family constructed a small log cabin on the site where The Bowen House now stands.

To provide for his family, Rochester utilized his merchant expertise opening a store and operating a warehouse along the Hocking Canal. In the meantime, construction on the rambling house began in 1831, with rooms added over the years as the family grew and the Rochester business prospered.  Tragedy struck the family in 1832 when Rochester’s wife died leaving behind nine children.

Several years later a young schoolteacher by the name of Eveline Tufts moved to the Ohio frontier from Boston. In 1838 Rochester was introduced to her and the couple soon married. Together they had nine more children, two of whom survived to adulthood.

Under Eveline’s guidance the house became somewhat of a frontier center for the Arts. The large living room of the house was added specifically to accommodate musical events and guests. Launching the social and cultural heritage that continues to this day.

One of John and Eveline’s daughters, Lucy Rochester, married Charles Bowen, a Logan native and banker.  The couple moved in with her aging father caring for him until his death. In the years that followed home became known as The Bowen House.

Lucy Bowen was a talented musician. As a patron of the arts, she brought piano and violin teachers from Columbus by canal boat and train to the house to provide music lessons to the local children.

The house and lawn were both gathering places for people who liked to read, share ideas and discuss events in the world both near and far.

The Bowen House remained in the family and was occupied by family members until Mary Louise Bowen died at the age of 100 in 1990.The Rochester-Bowen family had been active in the Logan Presbyterian Church since was established.  Upon her death, Mary Louise left the property to the church in hopes that it would continue its tradition in the arts.
 
It was at this time a small group of people formed an organization for the promotion of the Arts. With the cooperation of the church, The Bowen House Center for Arts and Education was founded.
                                                                                                Lucy Bowen Shaw

196 N. Market St.
P.O. Box 342
Logan, OH 43138
740-385-0344

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