Harry Merrill House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Harry Merrill House
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The Harry Merrill House from the southeast
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | 225 Washington Street West, Hutchinson, Minnesota |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1858 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 12000460 |
| Designated | August 1, 2012 |
The Harry Merrill House, also known as the Harrington–Merrill House, is a very old and important house in Hutchinson, Minnesota. It is the oldest house in Hutchinson built with a wood frame. It is also one of the oldest in McLeod County.
The house was built in 1858 by Lewis Harrington, who helped start the town. Later, from 1886 to 1932, it was home to Harry Merrill. He was the school superintendent for 33 years. The house is special because of its connection to education. Harry Merrill was a very important educator in Hutchinson's history. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2012.
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Who Was Lewis Harrington?
The Merrill House was finished in 1858 by Lewis Harrington. He was one of the people who founded the town of Hutchinson. Harrington came to Minnesota in 1855. There, he met the Hutchinson brothers: John, Asa, and Judson.
Together with other investors, they created the Hutchinson Company. This company chose the spot for the town of Hutchinson in November 1855. Harrington was very important in the new town. He surveyed land and built roads. He was also the city's first postmaster.
In 1857, Lewis married Ellen Pendergast. They were expecting a child, so they decided to build a new home. The house was built in an area called "the grove." It had two stories and was built in the Greek Revival style. This style often features a front gabled entrance and a simple porch.
The House During the Dakota War
In 1862, during the Dakota War of 1862, Dakota Indians attacked the town. People in Hutchinson built a stockade (a fence of strong posts) around the town center. They chose Lewis Harrington to be their captain.
His house was outside the stockade. Many buildings were burned down, but the Harringtons' home survived. Harrington kept working as a surveyor and engineer. He later served in the state government. He passed away in 1884.
Harry Merrill's Impact on Education
Harry Merrill came to Hutchinson in 1882. He became the school superintendent. In 1886, he married Martha, who was Lewis Harrington's daughter. The couple moved into the house with Martha's mother, Ellen.
Changes to the House
Over time, the house was changed to fit new styles. A two-story bay window was added on the south side. A one-story summer kitchen was also added to the west side. Other changes happened between 1890 and 1915. These included a screened porch and an extra bedroom. Trees and a garden were planted on the large property. The Merrills used their home for school events. They also often let students live with them in exchange for help around the house.
Merrill's Role as Superintendent
Harry Merrill had a big impact on Hutchinson. He was the school superintendent for 33 years. In a community mostly focused on farming, his main job was to make sure students attended school. He helped put new state education laws into action.
In 1909, the state allowed schools to teach job skills. Merrill started classes in agriculture, manual training (like woodworking), and domestic skills (like cooking and sewing) in Hutchinson.
Training Teachers
Starting in 1912, Merrill began a normal school at the high school. A normal school was a place that trained teachers. This was the only such school in McLeod County. For more than 20 years, many of its graduates became teachers in rural schools nearby.
Merrill was highly respected in education. He was even the president of the Minnesota Education Association in 1914–1915. This shows how much influence he had.
Civic Leadership
Merrill was also a leader in Hutchinson's community. He was a city councilor. He also served on the city's first library board. He was president of the city's Electric Light Company and the commercial club. Besides teaching, Merrill loved farming. He planted an apple orchard near his home. He died in 1932, and his wife Martha passed away in 1935.
The House's Later Years
After Harry and Martha, their son Lewis owned the house. Lewis was a civil engineer. He worked as Hutchinson's city engineer and McLeod County surveyor. Lewis Merrill made some changes to the house after World War I.
The house later faced tough times. In 2002, a fire badly damaged the kitchen and other parts of the house. In late 2003, the city of Hutchinson bought the property. The city's park system now manages the building. A local group helps take care of it and share its history.
