The construction of Baldwin Cottage was begun in 1886, and the Cottage was opened for use in the spring of 1887. It was named in honor of Mr. Elbert I. Baldwin, of Cleveland, who gave $20,000 for its construction. Mr. Baldwin later contributed $1,500 for an addition at the west of the building. It was erected by Doerzbach and Decker, of Sandusky. Weary and Kramer, of Akron, were the architects. The total cost, including furnishings, was $40,000. Baldwin Cottage provides accommodations for room and board for forty women and table board for eighty others. [Baldwin Cottage is the home of the Women's Collective, a close-knit community of 35 women from all class years.]