Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site facts for kids
 |
|
Benjamin Harrison Home in 2008
|
|
| Location | Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Type | Presidential museum |
| Visitors | 35,000 |
| Owner | Arthur Jordan Foundation |
| Public transit access |   4, 5 |
The Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site is the old home of Benjamin Harrison. He was the 23rd president of the United States. This important house is in the Old Northside Historic District of Indianapolis, Indiana.
Harrison's large 16-room house was built between 1874 and 1875. From its front porch, Harrison gave many speeches. This was part of his famous "front porch campaign" during the 1888 United States presidential election. He often spoke to big crowds on the street. In 1896, Harrison updated the house and added electricity. He passed away in a bedroom on the second floor in 1901.
Today, the house is owned by the Arthur Jordan Foundation. It is run as a museum by the Benjamin Harrison Foundation. It helps people learn about the former president.
Contents
History of the Harrison Home
Benjamin Harrison moved to Indianapolis in 1854. He wanted to start his career as a lawyer. After serving in the military, he bought some land in 1867. This land was on North Delaware Street, which was then on the edge of town.
Building the House
Construction of his house began in 1874 and finished in 1875. It cost about $24,818.67 back then. This was a lot of money! When the Harrison family moved to 1230 Delaware Street, other important people in Indianapolis also started moving north. The property had many elm and oak trees.
Benjamin Harrison lived in this home for most of his life. The only times he didn't live there were when he was a United States Senator (1881–1887) and when he was President (1889–1893). He died in the main bedroom of the house on March 13, 1901.
Front Porch Speeches
When he was running for president in 1888, Benjamin Harrison gave campaign speeches. He spoke to people gathered on the street outside his home. These were called "front-porch speeches." Interestingly, the actual front porch was not built until 1896. This was three years after he finished being president.
From Home to Museum
After Benjamin Harrison died, his wife, Mary Dimmick Harrison, owned the house. In 1939, Mary Harrison sold the house to the Arthur Jordan School of Music. This school is now part of Butler University. She made sure the house would always be a memorial to Benjamin Harrison.
The school updated the house. They turned the second and third floors into a place for female students to live. The first floor became a museum. For many years, you could only visit by making an appointment.
In 1966, the Benjamin Harrison Home became a National Historic Landmark. This means it's a very important historical place. That same year, a group called the Benjamin Harrison Foundation was started. Their job was to manage the museum. Regular daily tours began in 1974 after more renovations. The Arthur Jordan Foundation still leases the house to the Benjamin Harrison Foundation.
House Design and Style
|
Benjamin Harrison Home
|
|
|
U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
|
 |
|
 Location in Indianapolis
Location in Indiana
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 1230 North Delaware Street Indianapolis, Indiana |
|---|---|
| Area | 3 acres (1.2 ha) |
| Built | 1874 |
| Architect | Herman T. Brandt |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| Visitation | 25,303 (2009) |
| Part of | Old Northside Historic District (ID78000049) |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000010 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | January 29, 1964 |
| Designated CP | March 24, 1978 |
The Benjamin Harrison House was built in the Italianate style. It was designed by architect Herman T. Brandt. The house has red bricks and sixteen rooms. The decorative brackets under the roof and the three-story bay window show its Italianate style.
Inside, you can see a beautiful walnut staircase with oak trim. There is also butternut wood and fancy parquet floors. Many changes were made in 1896, including adding electricity and the front porch.
- Views of the home, past and present
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
_(14780055761).jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Visiting the Museum Today
Today, the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site is open for tours almost every day. You can visit ten of the sixteen rooms. All the rooms are decorated in the Victorian style. This is how they would have looked when Benjamin Harrison lived there.
About 75% of the items on display belonged to Benjamin Harrison and his family. There are 3,700 pieces of history to see. The museum also has 2,440 books. Besides Harrison's items, the house keeps records for the Daughters of the American Revolution. The front parlor is set up to look just like it did when Harrison brought his new wife home.
Since May 2015, the house has also been used as a polling station. This is where people in Indianapolis/Marion County go to vote. It is one of only two presidential memorials that serve as a voting place. The other is the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
See also
- List of residences of presidents of the United States
- List of attractions and events in Indianapolis
- Presidential memorials in the United States
Images for kids
-
Harrison House in 1888, the year he was elected President
