Andrew John Volstead House facts for kids
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Andrew John Volstead House
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The Volstead House in 2019
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | 163 9th Avenue, Granite Falls, Minnesota |
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| Area | Less than one acre |
| Built | 1878 |
| Architectural style | None specified |
| NRHP reference No. | 74001046 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 30, 1974 |
| Designated NHL | December 8, 1976 |
The Andrew John Volstead House is a special historic home in Granite Falls, Minnesota. It was once the home of Andrew Volstead, a very important person in American history. He served as a United States Congressman for ten terms, which is a long time! Today, this house is a museum. It is also the main office for the Granite Falls Historical Society.
Andrew Volstead (1860–1947) became famous in 1919 because of a law called the Volstead Act. This law helped to enforce the Eighteenth Amendment. As the leader of the House Judiciary Committee, he had to write this important law. Volstead was also a forward-thinking politician. In 1922, he helped create another law, the Capper–Volstead Act. This law made it legal for farmers to work together in groups called agricultural cooperatives.
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The Volstead House: A National Treasure
The Andrew John Volstead House is recognized as a very important place in the United States. In 1974, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it has national importance for its role in farming, government, and social history. Just two years later, in 1976, the house was named a National Historical Landmark. This is an even higher honor, showing its special place in American history.
What Does the House Look Like?
The house was built in 1878. It is made of wood. When Andrew Volstead bought the house in 1894, he made some changes. He added a large, two-story tower with a stairwell. This made the house even more unique.
Changes Over Time
When Volstead lived there, the first floor had a large porch with screens. This porch is now open, without the screens. Inside the house, you can see beautiful oak wood. There are also lovely stained-glass windows. Volstead moved to a different home in Granite Falls in 1930.
The Volstead House stayed a private home until 1974. That's when it was listed on the National Register. After that, it was turned into a historic house museum. Five years later, in 1979, the house was given to the city of Granite Falls. Now, many people can visit and learn about its history.
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