3450, McTavish
probably the only German-born in the Golden Square Mile, Alfred Baumgarten was educated in Germany where he obtained a Ph.D in chemical engineering. " He first made his fortune in the U.S. in the production of sugar beet. Arrived in Montreal, he became president of the St.Lawrence Sugar Refinery.
When he built his house on McTavish Street, his goal was to welcome the fine people at parties organized especially for her daughters. A huge ballroom was equipped with a floor resting on springs to give more impetus to couples dancing.
Baumgarten was a wealthy merchant. Great lover of horses, he was president of the Gun Club and built a room on the avenue de Lorimier. Again, it installed a huge dance hall (45 feet), dining room, a huge bath as in his house in the Rue McTavish. He was also very involved in the social sphere, supporting three hospitals in the city and the Museum of Fine Arts.
After his death in 1919, the house remained the property of the family who lived until 1926, when it bought McGill University. It is first Sir Arthur Currie, Principal at the University, who remained there. The McGill Faculty Club succeeded him in 1935 after renovations.
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