1403 West Lorado Taft Drive, Urbana

Mumford House was built in 1870 as a model farmer’s home and was the residence for a host of university fathers of agriculture and is the University’s oldest building.  The simple vernacular structure is often associated with John Milton Gregory, the school’s first Regent who had a significant role in shaping the school’s academic programs.  Thomas J. Burrill, who joined the University upon its founding in 1868, was the house’s first occupant.  The home was named for Herbert W. Mumford, a dean of the UI’s College of Agriculture who became a nationally known farm marketing expert.  The building’s design was based on works by Andrew Jackson Downing and was built by UI carpenter J.S. Searfoss.  The Mumford House was listed on Landmark Illinois’  list of Ten Most Endangered Buildings in 2006.  Listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 31, 1989 for significance in Education and Architecture (#89001728).