Harvey Wells House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Harvey Wells House
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Front of the house during renovation
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | 407 E. A Street, Wellston, Ohio |
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| Built | 1883 |
| Architectural style | Italianate, Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 09000211 |
| Added to NRHP | April 14, 2009 |
The Harvey Wells House is a historic home located in Wellston, a city in southern Ohio. This house was built in 1883. It was once the home of Harvey Wells, a local businessman who started the city of Wellston in the 1870s. His goal was to make Wellston a very important city in the region. The house is on A Street Hill, one of the highest spots in Wellston.
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The History of Harvey Wells House
Who Was Harvey Wells?
Harvey Wells was a smart businessman who helped create the city of Wellston. He wanted it to be a major center for the area. Even though he was successful in building the city and helping it recover after a big fire in 1888, he often had money problems. After he passed away in 1896, many of his belongings, like furniture, had to be sold. This helped pay off some of his debts. Interestingly, Harvey Wells never actually owned the house or the land it sits on.
What Does the House Look Like?
The Wells House is a two-story building made of wood. It combines two popular styles of architecture: Victorian and Italianate. The house has a strong foundation made of sandstone. Its outside walls are covered with weatherboards, which are special wooden planks that protect the house from the weather. The roof is made of aluminum, and there are also some brick details.
Restoring a Historic Home
In the mid-2000s, the city of Wellston received the house as a gift from a local businessman named Jerry Bobst. This started a big project to restore the house. The state government helped by providing $100,000 in 2005 and 2006 to begin the work.
Phase One: Making it Safe
The first part of the restoration focused on keeping the house safe and stable. This basic work was finished by the end of 2005. It was important to make sure the house was strong enough for more work.
Phases Two and Three: Inside and Out
After the first phase, plans were approved for more work. The second phase involved fixing up the outside of the house. The third phase was all about renovating the inside.
Modern Updates for a Historic Place
Starting in early 2010, more work was done by architects who specialize in saving old buildings. The Wellston Historical Association hired them to turn the house into a historic house museum. This means it would be a place where people could visit and learn about history. Besides fixing what was already there, new things were added. These included an office, restrooms, a small porch, new electrical wiring and plumbing, and central heating and air conditioning systems. The Historical Association watched over all the work, and the city of Wellston still owns the house.
A Place on the National Register
In 2009, the Harvey Wells House was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a special list of buildings, sites, and objects that are important in American history. The house was recognized because it was the home of the city's founder. It is one of three buildings in Wellston that are on this important list. The other two are the Clutts House and the Morgan Mansion.
