Reitz Home Museum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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John Augustus Reitz House
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 Location in Indiana
Location in the United States
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| Location | 224 S.E. 1st St., Evansville, Indiana |
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| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built | 1871 |
| Architectural style | Second Empire |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000047 |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1973 |
The Reitz Home Museum is a beautiful old house in downtown Evansville, Indiana. It is a Victorian house that has been turned into a museum. You can take guided tours here all year long.
When you visit, it feels like you step back in time. The walls are covered in fancy silk. The ceilings have hand-painted designs. There are also detailed plaster decorations. The floors are made of wood in cool patterns.
The house also has pretty tiled fireplaces. You can see shiny marble and colorful stained glass windows. French chandeliers hang from the ceilings. Many of the furniture pieces are the original ones from when the house was first built.
Many people think this house is a great example of the French Second Empire style of building. It has even been shown in magazines like Victorian Homes. In 2003, the house got a special award. It was honored for being well-preserved and restored.
The museum is open most days. You can visit from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. It is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Contents
History of the Reitz Home
Who Built the Reitz Home?
The Reitz Home was built in 1871. A rich man named John Augustus Reitz built it. He made a lot of money in the lumber business. He wanted the house to show how successful he was. So, he filled it with fancy furniture and detailed designs.
The house was built in the French Second Empire style. This was a popular style at the time.
Changes Over the Years
John Augustus Reitz passed away in the 1890s. His oldest son, Francis Joseph Reitz, then took over the house. Francis changed the inside of the house completely. He redecorated it in different Victorian styles.
The last of Reitz's children passed away in 1931. The house was then given to a group called the Daughters of Isabella. This is a non-profit Roman Catholic women's organization. In 1944, the Diocese of Evansville bought the house. It became the home for their bishop, Henry J. Grimmelsman.
The Museum Today
In 1974, the Diocese of Evansville gave the house to the Reitz Home Preservation Society. This group works to fix up and protect the home. The house was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. It opened for public tours one year later. As of July 2025, Joseph Lutz is the museum’s executive director.
