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.
