The Egbert-Mullins-Koos House was begun between 1859 and 1860 by Solomon L. Ulman, a Franklin merchant and a member of the first Jewish family to settle in Venango County.  It is a fine example of the Italian Villa style popular in the UK and USA between 1840-80.  When its construction began, it was conceived as one of the largest and finest homes in Franklin.  The house was left uncompleted and sold in 1862, when Solomon and his wife divorced, local hotelier Samuel Arnold finished the home, although we are not sure if he ever occupied it.  Through the next few years, the property changed hands several times.  Eventually Solomon's daughter and former wife Lydia became the owners of the property, and other members of the Ulman family continued to make the residence their home.

 

In 1869, Lydia S. Ulman sold the property to Eliza Egbert and her husband, Dr. Albert G. Egbert.  Dr. Egbert was a physician originally from Mercer County, and an early Venango County oil producer.  He also served as a surgeon at battlefield hospitals during the Civil War.  His Civil War experience left him with a heart condition and a desire to pursue other activities rather than practice medicine.  Upon completing the purchase of the home, the Egberts greatly expanded the house in 1871-72.  They added the front porch, as well as the section in the back of the home that houses our archives and library today, and they added the bow windows on the ground floor.  Dr. Egbert also installed a fountain, formal gardens, and a menagerie of pets for his growing family. 

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Albert and Eliza were generous benefactors to many charities, churches, and the city of Franklin.  He donated funds for the restoration of both town parks, personally paid for the complete installation of the city's first sidewalks, and in Mercer County provided support for children left fatherless or in straighten circumstances by the Civil War.  After his death the town of Franklin would honor his civic devotion and generosity by memorializing him with the fountain in the northern of our two city parks.  The Egbert Memorial Fountain flows in his honor and reflects the smaller fountain he once installed at his home on South Park Street.

  

In 1896, Dr. Egbert died suddenly while attending to a lawsuit in Pittsburgh, leaving his widow and two children alone in the home until 1899, when Eliza sold it to William J. and Elizabeth Mullins. Before William Mullins moved his family into the home, he began extensive renovations that would continue into the early 1900's.  The interior of the house today is largely the work of William and Elizabeth Mullins and reflects their interest in European and Classical art and architecture.

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William Mullins of Pittsburgh first came to Venango County to work as a chemist in the Eclipse Oil Refinery after completing his studies at MIT.  Here he found love. William married the former Elizabeth Bostwick of Franklin.  The couple had three daughters who were raised in this home. Upon the death of his father, who had climbed from his Irish immigrant roots to an executive position in the Pennsylvania Railroad, William was able to retire and devote his time to his family, the Episcopal Church, and his hobbies - photography and painting.  The family frequently traveled to Europe and key artistic centers in the United States and William's work was exhibited in New York, Washington DC, London, Paris and Vienna.  He died in 1917.  His widow and unmarried children continued to live in the house.

   

The youngest Mullins daughter, Elizabeth, married Edward Emile Koos of Oil City in 1923.  Their wedding reception was held here in the home. The following year, November 1924, their only child, a daughter, was born.  Caroline, "Kitty", was only a year old when her father died unexpectedly.  Elizabeth moved back into her childhood home with her daughter after her husband's death.  Mrs. Koos never remarried, instead she chose to live with her mother and daughter at this location for the rest of her life.

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In 1958 Mrs. Elizabeth Mullins passed away, followed in 1959 by Mrs. Elizabeth Koos. This left Kitty alone in the home.

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In her day, Kitty was considered to be an "idiot-savant," though it was very likely she fell somewhere on the Autism Spectrum. She was unable to manage her daily needs, but she could remember almost everything she read. Kitty lived off the proceeds from family trusts, and because of this developmental delay, she never married. She lived here with at least one caregiver until her passing in 2009. In her will Kitty left her one-half interest in the home to the Venango County Historical Society. The other half reverted back to her mother's will, which was divided among four other non-profit entities. Money obtained from Caroline Koos' estate was offered to those four groups as a buy-out to fulfill her wishes that the house become a museum and serve as the Venango County Historical Society headquarters.

 

Once the other non-profits accepted our offer, the VCHS began the restoration of the home.  It has been open to the public since 2014.  The challenge has been an enormous one as we strive to maintain the integrity of this historic property, to emphasize the work and interests of the Mullins' family, and to be true to our wider mission of telling the story of all the people who have made Venango County their home.  

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