Pierre Menard House facts for kids
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Pierre Menard House
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Pierre Menard House
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| Nearest city | Kaskaskia, Illinois |
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| Built | 1802 |
| Architect | Joseph Champaigne |
| Architectural style | Colonial |
| Part of | French Colonial Historic District (ID74000772) |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000245 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 15, 1970 |
| Designated NHL | April 15, 1970 |
The Pierre Menard House is a historic home in Ellis Grove, Illinois, United States. It was the house of Pierre Menard, an important trader. He later became the first lieutenant governor of Illinois from 1818 to 1822.
Contents
Discovering the Pierre Menard House
Who Was Pierre Menard?
Pierre Menard was born in Quebec, Canada, on October 7, 1766. He was one of ten children. At about 15 years old, he left home with two brothers. He wanted to become rich by trading furs in a place called "Illinois Country".
He worked as a clerk for Francois Vigo in Vincennes, Indiana. In March 1790, he moved to Kaskaskia. By the age of thirty, Menard was a very successful businessman.
Menard's Political Journey
Pierre Menard became a well-known political figure in the U.S. He served in the Indiana Territorial Legislature. He was also a regimental Major. He helped write Illinois' first constitution.
Later, he became the first lieutenant governor of Illinois. This was after he led the Illinois Territorial Legislature. People remembered Pierre Menard for his kindness and for helping those in need.
Building a Historic Home
The land for the house was bought in 1802. Construction of the house started later that year. It shows the Southern French Colonial style, also called "Creole." This style has special features, like a beautiful porch called a Gallery.
The house is very close to the Mississippi River. During Pierre's time, this was the Kaskaskia River. The original town of Kaskaskia, Illinois was the first capital of Illinois. But floods and erosion washed most of it away.
The Pierre Menard House is the only building left from where the first state capital stood. It is now kept safe by the state as the Pierre Menard Home State Historic Site.
A Museum of History
The site has a museum with an audio-visual program. The museum teaches about the Menard family and local history. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources manages it.
In 1970, the house was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It was also named a National Historic Landmark. In 1974, it became part of the French Colonial Historic District. Other French-influenced places in the area include Fort de Chartres and Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site.
Inside the Pierre Menard House
The house has two floors. It is filled with furniture from the early 1800s. On the main floor, you can see the entry hall and a parlor. There is also the master bedroom and a dining room. Two more bedrooms, a maid's room, and a nursery are also on this floor.
Behind the house, there is a stone kitchen from that time. The grounds also have a privy (an old-fashioned toilet). There is a rebuilt smokehouse and a springhouse. You can also see a historic herb and vegetable garden.
Grounds and Changing History
Exploring the Grounds
Archaeologists studied the grounds in 1999. Christopher Stratton and William Flesher led this work. They wanted to find out where buildings for enslaved people once stood.
A Statue's Removal
Pierre Menard was one of only three people with a statue at the Illinois state capitol. This capitol is in Springfield. On August 19, 2020, Menard's statue was removed.
The Speaker of the House explained the removal. He said that honoring people who were part of a time that allowed slavery and unfair treatment does not fit with the work done in the Illinois House today.
Gallery
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Garden
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Front
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Sitting Room
