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'Thank You, Enjoy' by Artur Silva
Courtesy of Hist Am. Buildings Survey (HABS) USDOI
photo by yellenna
Connor Prairie Apprentice BlacksmithPresident Benjamin Harrison Home
A really great tour of the Benjamin Harrison House only cost $6.00 or $5.00 for seniors. We had an excellent tour guide; it was obvious that he loves his job.
Benjamin Harrison was 23rd President of the United States. His grandfather, William Henry Harrison was the 9th president of the US, and his father, John Scott Harrison represented Ohio for 2 terms in the US Congress. Perhaps he was destined to be in politics?
As a 21-year-old, Benjamin came to Indianapolis & began to practice law. He was married to Caroline Lavinia Scott, and they had a son named Russell and a daughter named Mary.
\His home is a sixteen room Italianate Victorian house that was built in 1874-75. During his campaign for president, he gave 80 "front porch" speeches to citizens who came to his home on Delaware Street.
After his presidency, he returned to the home and had extensive redecorating done. His wife had died, and he married Mary Lord Dimmick; they had a daughter named Elizabeth. Harrison died in his home in 1901.
We had close access to this home and could walk into most rooms. Most of the furniture is original as are the carpets and lighting. It's a beautiful home with a fascinating history.
On the third floor, they have made an interesting museum where visitors can pretend to be immigrants coming to America. We certainly enjoyed that portion of the tour.
The original carriage building was torn down, and a parking lot was built. They decided to rebuild that building, and when they took up the asphalt, they found the foundation and other important objects that made it possible to recreate the original. It has an original Auto carriage, a winter sleigh, and a Sufferage Museum in it.
With all this history and architecture, Jill and I really loved this tour.
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