The Dr. Alvan W. Chapman House
Posted by: 
Markerman62
N 29° 43.531 W 084° 59.228
16R E 694688 N 3290067
Located on the cemetery side of the Chapman House. A duplicate one is on the other side.
82 6th St
Waymark Code: WM11355
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 08/07/2019
Views: 7
This classical Greek Revival style house served as the residence of Dr. Alvan Wentworth Chapman, physician, scientist, and eminent botanist, whose research and writings on the flora of the South received international recognition. Born in 1809 in Massachusetts, Dr. Chapman came to Florida in 1835, and by 1847 had settled in Apalachicola. He built this house in 1847, and lived here almost continuously until his death in 1899. Active in the community, Dr. Chapman served as county judge, mayor, and collector of customs. Among the many plants named in his honor is the Chapman Rhododendron, so named by noted Harvard professor Asa Fray. Dr. Chapman was also associated with the Smithsonian, furnishing that institution’s first specimens of butterfly chrysalises of this locality. His first herbarium is located at the New York Botanical Garden; his second, including his original manuscript, “Flora of the Southern United States,” is at the Biltmore Estate near Ashville, North Carolina. Dr. Chapman died here and was buried in nearby Chestnut Cemetery. Dramatically altered during the 20th century, the house underwent a complete restoration, completed and now appears as it did during Dr. Chapman’s residency.
Marker Number: F-740
Date: 2012
County: Franklin
Marker Type: City
Sponsored or placed by: Dr. Helen E.A. Tudor, Walter B. Melvin, A.I.A. and the Florida Department of State
Website: Not listed
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