Period
1802
Grouseland
Location
Vincennes, Indiana
Notables
National Historic Landmark
HISTORIC LEGACY
Constructed from 1802 to 1804, Grouseland was the home of William Henry Harrison while he was Governor of the Indiana Territory. The house is a National Historic Landmark, unique in that it is the only surviving house that Harrison built and lived in himself. More than two centuries of changes to the building led to the loss of much of its original fabric. This includes relatively recent restoration work, completed in the 1960’s and 70’s which attempted to “restore” the house to its original grandeur.
William Henry Harrison
PROJECT OVERVIEW
In 2014, MCWB prepared a Historic Structure Report that distinguished Grouseland’s original building fabric from later alterations, including previous attempts at restoration from the 1960s and 70s. The HSR we used to assist in fundraising, which led to a Phase I restoration project. This phase included exterior restoration of the windows and doors; repairs to the roof masonry and front portico; and repainting the entire house to match the original paint color, discovered through paint analysis. On the interior, MCWB restored woodwork, fireplace, an original window opening, wallpaper, and flooring in the Dining Room and Council Chamber.
RESEARCH & DOCUMENTATION
Though written documentation exists for prior restoration work at Grouseland, many details were missing from the record, and historic photographic evidence was limited. MCWB’s thorough, room–by–room investigation determined that most of the plaster, flooring, and wood trim throughout the house was replaced during the restoration work. Our team discovered original floors, an original fireplace, and two original window openings below 20th–century finishes.
RESTORATION
MCWB’s work at Grouseland continues with a Master Plan that outlines an approach for more restoration work in the Mansion, provisions for universal access, upgraded building systems, and plans for a new Visitor Center.
