Ronald–Brennan House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Ronald–Brennan House
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HABS photo of the house in 1973
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| Location | 631 South 5th Street Louisville, Kentucky 40202 |
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| Built | 1868 |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 75000774 |
| Added to NRHP | August 11, 1975 |
The Ronald–Brennan House, often called the Brennan House, is a historic home in Downtown Louisville, Kentucky. It was built in a style called Italianate, which was popular in the 1800s. This style often features tall windows, wide eaves, and decorative brackets. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 11, 1975. People in Louisville even voted it one of their top ten favorite buildings!
Contents
History of the Brennan House
Building a Grand Home
The Brennan House was built in 1868 for Francis Ronald, a person who sold tobacco. In 1884, he sold the house for $12,000 to Thomas Brennan. Thomas Brennan was an inventor and equipment maker from Ireland. He and his wife, Anna, had eight children who grew up in this house.
Thomas Brennan: Inventor and Family Man
Thomas Brennan (1838–1914) was well-known for his inventions. He even won two awards at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. He was also a co-owner and vice president of a company called Brennan & Co., SouthWestern Agricultural Works. This company made machines for farms.
Inside the Historic Home
This three-story house has six bedrooms. It features very tall 16-foot ceilings. The house was designed with beautiful stained-glass windows. It also has a large porch called a veranda. Inside, you can see hand-carved marble and slate fireplaces. There are also sparkling crystal chandeliers. The Brennan home was one of the first houses in Louisville to have electric lights!
A Doctor's Office at Home
Two of the Brennan sons became doctors. One of them, Dr. J. A. O. Brennan, added a new part to the house in 1912. This new section was on the north side of the house. It was used as a medical office. It had waiting rooms and exam rooms for patients.
Passing On a Legacy
One of Brennan's sons lived in the house until he passed away in 1963. After that, the house was given to the Filson Club. The Filson Club, now called The Filson Historical Society, ran the house as a house museum from 1969 to 1992. In 1992, a special group was created to help manage the house. This group also helped pay for its upkeep.
The Brennan House Today
A Center for Community Revitalization
Today, the Brennan House is home to Vital Sites. This is a non-profit organization. It works to make Louisville better by fixing up old or unused buildings. The house is open for group tours. You can also rent it for special events like weddings or parties. Every year, during the holidays, there are special Victorian-themed tours.
Preserving History Inside
The inside of the house has been kept just as it was. It still has its original decorations and lighting. The furniture belonged to the Brennan family. Some of the special items you can see include old family photos. There is also a lamp signed by Tiffany. You can find hand-carved furniture and a stained glass coat of arms. This coat of arms was made by a Louisville artist named Bernard Alberts. There are even old travel trunks filled with souvenirs from around the world. The old medical office part of the house is also preserved. It has an exam table, medical tools, and old medical books from the early 1900s.
A Haunted History?
Some people say the Brennan House is a haunted place in Louisville.
See also
