George Fox University | About | Edwards House

Jesse Edwards House

The Jesse Edwards House is the second-oldest residence in the city of Newberg, Ore., built in 1883 by the "Father of Newberg" and one of the founders of George Fox University, Jesse Edwards. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The only older local house - by two years - is the Hoover-Minthorn House, preserved as a national and local landmark because it served as a boyhood home for U.S. President Herbert Hoover. It also is on the National Register.

The two houses are interconnected. When Jesse and Mary Edwards built their two-story wood house, they sold their first home to Dr. Henry Minthorn, who came to Newberg to become the first superintendent of Friends Pacific Academy, which became George Fox University.

The 2,550-square-foot stick-style Victorian house is prominent in the area's history. Its spacious music room once was used as a meeting place for the early founding Quakers. The Edwards House was built 100 feet from its current location, moved in 1905 to allow a street extension.

Jesse Edwards was a member of the first Pacific College board and was still a member at his death in 1924, serving 39 years.

The house was purchased by descendants of the Edwards family and given to the university in 1998, to become the home for university presidents. Extensively restored, it features a wrap-around porch, turned Tuscan Doric porch columns, bracketed cornices, shuttered windows, a distinctive gable roof, and original interior entrance hall and stairway.

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