William Henry Harrison Home (Grouseland), 1804

3 West Scott Street, Vincennes, IN 47591

Architect/Designer: William Lindsay

DESCRIPTION:

Grouseland is a two story federal style home that was constructed almost exclusively with materials fashioned within Knox County. The structure is divided into three areas, the main two story living quarters, a small one story corridor and a one and half story structure. The back portion of the home, on the east end, was probably used as the kitchen and/or servants quarters. The front entry features a large porch with four columns supporting a balcony with four additional columns creating an elegant vertical symmetry. Supported by the columns is a triangular pediment, following the federal style. Within the span of the pediment, on both the first and second floor, is a central door with a window on either side. The home is designed to be symmetrically balanced, not only one within each façade but throughout the entire structure. The north & south façades all feature three bays with three windows on the second floor and a central door with a window on either side. Despite various alterations and recreations throughout the structure the William Henry Harrison is a lasting landmark of political and architectural history.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT – INCLUDING SPECIAL STATUS AND AWARDS WON:

Grouseland was not only the home of our ninth president, William Henry Harrison, but also the first brick home in Indiana. A National Historic Landmark, Grouseland not only provides presidential history but also a hands on experience of the frontier period in Indiana’s history.

DESIGNATION STATUS:

National Register of Historic Places, 1983

National Historic Landmark, 1983

Style: Federal

Owner (past/present):

Past: William Henry Harrison

Present: Francis Vigo Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution

Materials: Brick

Additions and/or changes with date:

1850-1909 various alterations to interior and exterior due to changes in occupancy and use

1949 restored to appearance at the time of Harrison’s occupancy.

Historic use/current use:

Historic use: Residential

Current use: Museum

Is building open to the public?: Yes

Condition: Good

Website and/or sources of information:

Visit/more information: http://www.grouselandfoundation.org

History: http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/presidents/harrison_grouseland.html

Sources:

 “Grouseland History.” Grouseland Foundation. 2013. Accessed July 26, 2015.http://www.grouselandfoundation.org/history.html

National Register of Historic Places, William Henry Harrison Home, Vincennes, Knox, Indiana, 1983.

 

16_Grouseland-1 16_Grouseland-2