Johnson House

Built in 1885, Johnson House is a three-story Queen Anne-style mansion on the southern outskirts of campus. In 1911, it was presented to the college by inventor, chemist, and businessman Charles Martin Hall, an 1847 Oberlin graduate who devised a revolutionary method for producing aluminum.

Soon after, Johnson House became home to the college preparatory school Oberlin Academy (1912–16). By 1920, it served as a residence for female conservatory students, and its use as a student residence continued through much of the 20th century. Following an exterior restoration in 1980, it became known for many years as Oberlin’s Hebrew Heritage House, an identity-based student residence.

Johnson House contains a fully equipped kitchen, study lounges, and the Joseph Elias Memorial Library, which features materials related to Jewish heritage.

In 2025, Johnson House was taken offline to facilitate planning for its long-term preservation.