National Register of Historic Places

Carpenter, James Sansom, House

Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa
Listed
April 22, 1998
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
98000379

About this property

The James Sansom Carpenter House was significant to Des Moines cultural history from 1906 to 1939. The 13 acre property named Oakwood estate by its owners J. S. Carpenter and his Spouse Florence L. Carpenter because of the old growth oak forestation. The Carpenters' collection was deemed by art critics as one of the finest collections of etchings and lithographs in America. The house held the Carpenter collection of 125 paintings and 350 etchings. J. S. Carpenter was also known as Sannie or Sandy after his oddly spelled middle name. J. S. Carpenter, a bridge building magnet, founded the Des Moines Association of Fine Arts in 1916. The Association members each contributed $100.00 annually for the purchase of paintings and sculptures. The members also received a 25% discount on art purchased at Association events. Carpenter was known as the Guru of fine arts by the Des Moines community. Visiting artists and dignitaries came to Des Moines to sell their art and often stayed with the Carpenter's at Oakwood. Carpenter was president of the Association from its inception until his death of heart disease in 1939. The Association transformed into the Edmundson Art Museum in 1940 under the auspices of Association Executive member, and Carpenter's close friend Jay N. (Ding) Darling. Darling as President of the Edmundson Art Foundation merged the original collection into the present day Des Moines Art Center.

Location

3320 Kinsey Ave.
Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa
41.60720, -93.55045

Categories

ENGINEERINGSOCIAL HISTORY
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Questions about this property

When was Carpenter, James Sansom, House listed on the National Register?

Carpenter, James Sansom, House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 22, 1998.

What type of historic resource is Carpenter, James Sansom, House?

Carpenter, James Sansom, House is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Carpenter, James Sansom, House?

The period of significance for Carpenter, James Sansom, House is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Carpenter, James Sansom, House?

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