Walking into this Indianapolis house is like being transported into Victorian life in the late 1800s.
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This house and its surrounding property, a significant part of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, stand as a testament to the era when it was home to the 23rd president of the United States, who served from 1889 to 1893. Its historical significance commands reverence and respect.
Harrison, a figure deeply intertwined with American history, was the grandson of U.S. President William Henry Harrison and the great-grandson of Benjamin Harrison V, a Virginia planter who signed the Declaration of Independence and succeeded Thomas Nelson Jr. as governor of Virginia.
If you trace the house’s history, you’ll find yourself in 1868, when Harrison, a successful attorney, and his wife, Caroline, purchased two lots on North Delaware Street. They then began constructing their 16-room home—with completion in 1874. The following year, they moved into their mansion.
Sadly, Caroline passed away in the White House in 1892.
In 1896, Harrison married his wife’s niece, Mary Lord Dimmick.
When Harrison passed away in 1901, Mary and their daughter Elizabeth lived in the home until 1913, when they moved to New York. From 1913 to 1937, various families rented the property, which eventually became a rooming house.
The house was later a dormitory for female students at the Jordan Conservatory of Music. Per their agreement with Mrs. Harrison, the Arthur Jordan Foundation Trustees opened the home to the public.
Sixteen rooms, open for visitors, are decorated in the Victorian style. Seventy-five percent of the 3,700 pieces of memorabilia belonged to Benjamin Harrison and his family. What remains today are the decor and furnishings of Harrison and his family.
I followed an excellent guide from the entry to the parlor, which has a warm atmosphere. He pointed out a few of the unique gifts in this room given to the President while he was in office. In the back parlor was a Reginaphone, a music box in the style of a record player.
We also visited the dining room, kitchen, and bedrooms, including the nursery. The fantastic thing is there are so many personal items, including a dog license signed by Harrison.
