Picture of the Cappon House with the 150th Anniversary logo

2024 marks the 150th anniversary of the Cappon House! Join us as we celebrate throughout the year with new programs, exhibits, and tours. 

About the Cappon House

Picture of the Cappon House Parlor, photo courtesy of Helmut Ziewers, 2021

Parlor, photo courtesy of Helmut Ziewers, 2021

The Cappon House was built by Isaac and his first wife Caterina in 1874, after their first home was burned in the 1871 Holland Fire. The fire, which was the same weekend as the Chicago fire, burned 80% of what is now considered downtown Holland, including the Cappon & Bertsch Tannery and the Third Reformed Church, where Isaac was deacon. After rebuilding the church and tannery, Isaac and Caterina built their new home.  Designed by architect Jan Kleyn in the Italianate style, which was popular in America between 1840 and 1880, this elegant home reflects the Cappon family’s standing in Holland at the time.

The public areas of the home were designed to impress. Guests enter the home through imposing arched front doors and are greeted by 12-foot ceilings and striking Renaissance Revival black walnut and ash woodwork manufactured in Holland. The print of Lincoln signifies that this was a Republican household.

The Cappons are the only family to have lived in this house since its construction. Lavina Cappon, 2nd daughter of the 2nd family, lived in the house until 1974. Lavina was the keeper of the family history; we are fortunate that she saved so many books, toys, furniture, and other household items that belonged to the family. It was her wish that the house become a museum upon her death.

The house has been painstakingly restored to its 1902 appearance by the Holland Museum using the inventory performed following Isaac’s death, family journals, photographs, and historic preservation best practices. The reproduction wallpaper and paint colors were based on samples taken from within the home and then analyzed to determine which patterns and colors were from 1902. The woodwork, doors, Lincrusta wallcovering in the entryway, light fixtures, and ceiling medallions are all original.

Visitors to the Cappon House step back in time, immersing themselves in the stories of Isaac Cappon and his large family.

Cappon House Tours and Admission

Cappon House second floor, photo courtesy of Helmut Ziewers, 2021

Second floor, photo courtesy of Helmut Ziewers, 2021

Picture of the Cappon House Kitchen Stove

Kitchen Stove

Picture of Cappon House children's parlor

Children's parlor, second floor

Slide Picture of the Cappon House exterior Slide Picture of the Cappon House front entry Front Entry Slide Picture of the Cappon House dining room Dining Room Slide Picture of Isaac Cappon's office and sitting room in the Cappon House Isaac's office and sitting room Slide Picture of the Cappon House Master Bedroom Master Bedroom Slide Picture of the Cappon House Spare Bedroom Spare Bedroom, photo courtesy of Helmut Ziewers, 2021

 

About the Cappon Family

Picture of Isaac Cappon, 1830-1902

Isaac Cappon, 1830-1902

Picture of Caterina Cappon nee DeBoe, Isaac Cappon's first wife

Caterina Cappon nee DeBoe, 1835-1887

Picture of Johanna "Lavina" Cappon, 1894-1978. Child of second wife, Jacoba Cappon nee De Kok

Johanna "Lavina" Cappon, 1894-1978.

Thumbnail picture of the Cappon Family Tree

Click to enlarge Cappon Family Tree

An immigrant from the Netherlands province of Zeeland, Isaac Cappon arrived in Holland in 1848, at the age of 18.  With his business partner John Bertsch, Isaac Cappon owned and operated the town tannery, which became quite prosperous during the Civil War, and elevated Isaac to one of Holland’s leading citizens. He became Holland’s first mayor in 1867 and he would serve as mayor again in 1870, 1874, and 1879.

Isaac married Caterina De Boe, another Dutch immigrant, in 1854. Together, they had 11 children before Caterina passed away from cancer in 1887 at age 52.

After Caterina’s death, Isaac hired Jacoba De Kok to serve as a housemaid and caregiver to the children still living at home. Four years later, Isaac and Jacoba were married. He was 60; she was 23. Their marriage caused some controversy in Holland’s social and conservative religious circles as Jacoba was a “working class” immigrant marrying one of Holland’s wealthiest citizens. Isaac and Jacoba had 5 children; Franklin the youngest, was born in 1900 when Isaac was 70 years old. Isaac passed away two years later in 1902, leaving the house to his young wife and five children under the age of 10, and his tannery business to his older sons Johannes and Abraham.


Related Exhibits  

Authentically Victorian: Reflecting on the Cappon House RestorationA picture of a contractor working on a Cappon House restoration project which will be discussed in the Holland Museum exhibit, "Authentically Victorian: Reflecting o the Cappon House Restoration" on display from March 1-July 29, 2024.

On Display March 1–July 29, 2024 in the Holland Museum Lobby Gallery

The exhibit focuses on the various architectural projects involved in restoring the 1874 historic home to its 1902 appearance, the last year of Isaac Cappon's life. Additionally, the exhibit will explore the Cappon House's cultural and architectural significance to the City of Holland.

More information coming soon!

 

 

 

 

A picture of Lavina Cappon and Tulip Time Klompen Dancers (1965), which is the focus of the Holland Museum exhibit, " A Stitch in Time: Lavina Cappon's Tulip Time Legacy," on display from April 26-September 16, 2024.A Stitch in Time: Lavina Cappon's Tulip Time Legacy

On Display April 26–September 16, 2024 in the Holland Museum Focus Gallery

Discover how the tradition of wearing authentic Dutch costumes during Tulip Time began. This exhibit, A Stitch in Time: Laavina Caappon's Tulip Time Legacy, will highlight Lavina Cappon, former Holland Public Schools teacher, and explore her influence in shaping the unique aesthetic of Tulip Time through strict dress protocol.

More information coming soon!

 

 

 

A picture by renowned Holland Michigan local artist, Bruce McCombs. View a collection of intricate watercolor paintings showcasing the Cappon House in the Holland Museum exhibit, "Victorian Visions: The Cappon House Through the Eyes of Bruce McCombs," on display October 4, 2024 through March 10, 2025.Victorian Visions: The Cappon House Through the Eyes of Bruce McCombs

On Display October 4, 2024–March 10, 2025 in the Holland Museum Focus Gallery

Experience the historic Cappon House in a new light. View a collection of intricate watercolor paintings showcasing the Victorian home by renowned local artist, Bruce McCombs. In addition to honoring McCombs’ artistic talent, this exhibit celebrates the timeless beauty of the Cappon House’s Italianate architecture.

More information coming soon!


Related Programming 

Tales from the Archives
Isaac Cappon: Holland's First Major Industrialist

Thursday, January 25, 2024
7:00-8:30 PM
Holland Museum
Free adult program
Learn more

Victorian Valentines at the Cappon House (Family Program)
Saturday, February 3
1:00-4:00 PM
Cappon House
Learn more

Tales from the Archives
Lavina Cappon, Suffrage, and Women's Rights in Midwest Dutch America (Zoom Program)

Thursday, March 7, 2024
7:00-8:30 PM
Free adult Zoom program
Learn more

Tales from the Archives
The Cappon House Renovations (Zoom Program)

Thursday, April 11, 2024
7:00-8:30 PM
Free adult Zoom program
Learn more

Mentioning Unmentionables
Thursday, May 16
7:00-8:30 PM
Holland Museum
Learn more

Fashionable Furniture and the Cappons
Thursday, June 27
7:00-8:30 PM
Holland Museum
Learn more

More Cappon House Monthly Programming

Check back for more Cappon House 150th anniversary programs offered each month throughout 2024.

Commemorative 2024 Cappon House Calendar

Stop by the Holland Museum gift shop to purchase your 2024 Cappon House calendar–now at a discounted price. The calendar features interior and exterior photos, historic Cappon family dates, and preservation information. There is a limited number of calendars, so be sure to claim yours before they are gone!

 

       

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