History Of The Simon Perkins Stone Mansion. Akron, Ohio

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The Perkins Stone Mansion in winter.

Colonel Simon Perkins, 1805-1887.

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Blog Created: 9-9-2025

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The Perkins Stone Mansion is a historic house museum in Akron, Ohio, United States.

Overview ~

The mansion is owned and operated by The Summit County Historical Society of Akron, Ohio and is also the organization's headquarters. It was built from 1835 to 1837 by Col. Simon Perkins, son of Akron's founder General Simon Perkins. It served as the family home until 1945 when it was purchased from George Perkins Raymond for $25,000.

Design and construction ~

The Perkins Stone Mansion was built between 1835 and 1837 on 115 acres (47 ha) owned by Colonel Simon Perkins, the oldest son of the City of Akron's founder, Gen. Simon Perkins. At the time of its completion, the home was located one mile from the southwest border of Akron and along the prehistoric Portage Path of Summit County, Ohio. The house overlooked the City of Akron from the front porch and the "widow's walk" on the roof provided a viewing point of the Ohio and Erie Canal.

Records suggest it was designed by Isaac Ladd of Warren, Ohio. It was designed in the Greek Revival Style. The Mansion was constructed of hand cut yellow sandstone that was quarried nearby its location.

Perkins eventually expanded his estate to 300 acres (121 ha). The land was used for farming and sheep grazing and eventually became known as "Mutton Hill." The pasture land came right to the front porch and the house was originally flanked by vegetable gardens and an arbor.

Sheep dog herding her flock in front of the mansion.

Other structures ~

Located nearby the Mansion is the Wash House where the Perkins family washed and dried clothing, bedding, and other textiles. Next to the Wash House is the original well. Behind the mansion is the "woodshed" that now serves as the office building for the Summit County Historical Society of Akron, Ohio. Reconstructed versions of the Carriage House, gazebo, and outhouse are also located on the property. The property was surrounded by a dry mortared stone wall, much of which remains to this day.

This view of the Perkins Stone Mansion shows the Wash House, one of the outbuildings on the property.

Ownership and residents ~

1837–1887: Col. Simon Perkins and his wife Grace.

1887–1919: Anna Perkins, the eldest daughter of Col. and Mrs. Simon Perkins. Anna never married and took over as the mistress of the house at the death of her mother in 1867. Her brother George Tod Perkins assisted with maintenance and renovations.

1919–1926: Mr C.B. and Mrs Mary Raymond. Mary was the daughter of George Tod Perkins and niece of Anna Perkins.

1926–1945: George Perkins Raymond. George took over occupancy when his parents moved to California in 1926. Due to his career as a concert singer, he rarely stayed in the home.

1945–present: The Summit County Historical Society of Akron, Ohio. It was purchased from Raymond for $25,000. The funds were raised through contributions.

Present day ~

Today, the Perkins Stone Mansion is the showpiece of the Summit County Historical Society and is operated as an historic house museum.

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An original photo of the Perkins Akron mansion. Col. Simon and Mrs. Perkins are seated on the front porch. 1885.

Perkins mansion, winter, 1950.

A ladies group gathers at the Perkins mansion. Summer, 1950.

1982.

Widow's Walk on the roof. It is said that, the Perkins women would go to the Widow's Walk when the boats came down the canal and watch through binoculars to see if their husbands came off the canal boats after serving in the Civil War. If they did not see them, they would consider themselves widows.

The Widow's Walk in located in the center of the roof.

Col. Simon Perkins and wife, Grace Ingersol Tod Perkins.

Portraits of Col. and Mrs. Perkins.

Col. George Tos Perkins and his wife, Mary Folger Rawson Perkins. Son and daughter-in-law of Simon Perkins.

George Tod Perkins sits for a photo in 1883 while he was president of the B. F. Goodrich Tire and Rubber Co.

Charles Ezra Perkins, son.

Jacob Perkins, brother to Simon Perkins.

Joseph Perkins, brother.

General Simon Perkins, father of Col. Simon Perkins.

Mary Rawson Perkins, mother Mary Rawson, grand daughter Mary Raymond, daughter Mary Perkins Raymond. 1891.

Since 1990, there has been reports of several ghosts at the mansion. Some are that of children while others are said to be adults.

The legs of ghost, known only as Margaret, at the top of the stairs.

A letter from Simon to his father, Col. Simon Perkins during the Civil War, that was published in The Summit County Beacon, Akron, Ohio, 20 Jun 1861, Thu • Page 3.

Weddings are also conducted at the Mansion property.

The Greenville Journal, (Greenville, Ohio), 15 September 1910, p. 3.

The Summit County Beacon, Akron, Ohio, 22 May 1862, Thu • Page 2.

One of the columns is dedicated to the Perkins in The Church of the Covenant, 11205 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland Ohio 44106.

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FROM: FIND A GRAVE.COM ~

Simon Perkins was born as the third generation of the Simon Perkins' in 1815 at Warren, Ohio. He Married Grace Todd, the sister of David Todd, a good friend, in 1835. Two years later he moved to Akron, Ohio and into a large stone mansion built for him and his bride by his father. That house and the grounds, known as the Perkins Mansion is open as a museum to the public today. Simon established himself in the sheep and cattle-breeding business on a farm south of his home on Copley Hill. As a supplement to this business he built a not too successful woolen mill on the canal in Akron. In 1843 he entered into a sheep raising partnership with John Brown the abolitionist of Harper's Ferry Fame. In the wool deal gone bad, Brown's actions was said to have cost Perkins $40,000. The partnership was dissolved and John Brown moved to the Adirondacks to brood over slavery. Simon Perkins also entered the railroad business. He organized a company and built a connecting rail from Hudson, Ohio to Akron and then on to Columbus. The first train ran on July 4, 1852. Unfortunately, like the other business ventures of his, this too got into financial difficulties and, in 1866, it was sold. Simon remained as superintendent for 6 years after which he retired. His large fortune was almost gone. Simon served in both houses of the Ohio Legislature. He was instrumental in building Glendale Cemetery and served 41 years as president of the cemetery assoc. During the Civil War, he rose to Colonel and was at one time the Assistant Quartermaster General in the Army of the Cumberland. Simon and Grace had 13 children. He died in Akron in 1887.

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A Cold And Dark Night - When I got Sidney At The Perkins Mansion ~

It was on an evening in October, 1967. Right around Halloween, when I got my human skull. I volunteered to help a friend who happened to be the director of the Summit County Historical Society in Akron, Ohio. I knew there would be no pay but I loved history and antiques and the Society needed some stuff moved. There was items in the Simon Perkins Mansion that had to be moved across the street to the John Brown Home. There were several boxes of documents and others filled with artifacts. I had a 1951 Dodge Corenet sedan at the time. The back seat was removable so we could get everything into it. It took five trips but we got it all moved.

After we were finished around 6:00 pm, my friend remarked that he was sorry I didn't get payed. I said that it was okay, I knew I wouldn't. Then I asked a question. "Since I am not getting any money, Could I have something else?" He asked what I had in mind. They had several old skulls, two had arrowheads stuck in them. He said I could have a skull but, not one of those since the skulls with arrowheads were very rare and hard to come by. However, He said they had one that had fought in the War of 1812 and had been shot with a musket ball in the jaw. The jaw was in two pieces with the ball damage. He said that all they knew was that the person had been named "Sidney". He was approx. 34 years old at death. So he would have been born around 1778. This would make the skull 247 years old in 2025. I told him I would be thrilled to get it. He told me to come back that night and pick it up from the cartaker at the Perkins Mansion.

My cousin and I returned around 10:00 pm. It was dark and chilly that night. I remember us walking up to the door at the caretaker's quarters and knocking. A short round woman answered who was in her 50s. I told her who I was and she smiled and responded, "Yes! I know. I was told you would come." She went back in and returned a minute or so later holding the skull. I had brought a small wooden crate lined with felt. We put Sidney into the crate, I thanked her and we left.

I will always remember that night. That was 58 years ago in 2025. My friend has been dead for over 30 of those years. I've grown old. Sidney has followed me through 13 homes since I got him. He even went and lived in my private room at Fort Dix, New Jersey from 1971 to 1973 while I served in the Army. We've become good friends. He doesn't eat much and never eats any of my snacks. He does not complain about anything and, he doesn't talk much. He's the perfect buddy. I wish he could talk. Think of the stories he would have to tell.

In all those years, I managed to get another skull as a girlfriend for Sidney. I don't know anything about her except she's made out of plastic. I hope Sidney never finds out.