William Henry Harrison's Grouseland
Built in 1804 and home to former United States president, William Henry Harrison, this Federal-style building was given its unusual nickname thanks to the local abundance of grouse, a plump gamebird. Grouseland is a two-story, red brick building with a high roof and dormer windows in the attic. The first floor includes the parlor, dining area, and family living space; the second floor houses bedrooms and servants' quarters.
Harrison was appointed governor of the Indiana territory in 1800 and moved to the local capital, Vincennes, to serve his term. Shortly after his arrival - and at great personal expense - he purchased 300 acres of local land and began the planning and construction of his sprawling, Federal style mansion. Contrasting the simpler wooden homes in Vincennes, Grouseland resembled the homes of Harrison's Virginian childhood.
Possibly the first brick building in Vincennes - maybe the entire Indiana territory - Grouseland was built exclusively by local labor with materials sourced nearby. It served as a focal point for the territory's governance and social life, including regular meetings with local American Indian tribe leaders and government legislators. Major land acquisitions were signed at Grouseland, including the Treaty of Grouseland, signed in the Council Chambers.
All but Harrison's eldest son would leave Grouseland in 1812, moving to North Bend, Ohio. During this time, Harrison served in the U.S. Army through the War of 1812, eventually joining the U.S. Senate, House of Representatives, and finally be elected the 9th President of the United States in 1840. Grouseland would remain in the Harrison family's possession until 1850.
Grouseland was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960 and listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. It is maintained by the Grouseland Foundation.
On behalf of the Grouseland Foundation, Director Lisa Ice-Jones and Mesik Cohen Wilson Baker architect Tom Burgess were chiefly responsible for inviting us onto this incredible project. Together, their research into the building's exterior fabric ensured that its restoration was faithful to history, transporting museum visitors to the early 19th century.
The Durable Restoration Company was responsible for extensive restorative work, inside and outside the building.
The dining room and council chamber had extensive restoration work to return them to their original construction.
The dining room saw its fireplace and mantlepiece restored, in addition to new trim, extensive plaster repair, new period correct wall treatment, and new baseboard trim. Finally, its original wood floor was revealed and restored.
The council chamber likewise had a restored fireplace and mantlepiece, new baseboard trim, repaired plaster, and new period correct wall treatment. Taken together, the main gathering areas of the first floor were accurately—and durably—transformed.
Besides these dramatic interior repairs, the exterior envelope received its own extensive repairs:
Two windows that had been bricked up were fully restored, the remaining windows were replaced to original dimensions or restored where the original sashes remained, and all window shutters were replaced.
All the exterior doors were replaced with period correct alternatives.
Three chimneys and the dormers received new copper flashing. The dormers also had previous poor repairs removed and original details reproduced.
All the exterior woodwork was painted, and the portico balcony metal deck also received new paint.
The front and side porticos were replicated in order to remove deteriorated lumber and address rising damp in the columns, with the addition of a new iron handrail at the front entry.
Deteriorated brick was replaced with handmade, reclaimed brick and soiled areas cleaned. Areas of deteriorated mortar were repointed using historically accurate mortar.
For an excellent, in-depth article on Grouseland and its restoration, be sure to check out the Sun-Commercial's article. For fans of the comedy Parks and Recreation, Grouseland—and the Harrison campaign trail tradition—were featured prominently in the episode "William Henry Harrison."
Before
In Progress
Revolutionary War Patriots Plaque Ceremony
April 17th a plaque honoring Revolutionary War patriots will be dedicated on the grounds of Grouseland. The local Francis Vigo Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is organizing this event. It is part of a national DAR effort to place one plaque per state through 2023. Our Indiana "Grouseland" plaque will be the only one erected in the State of Indiana and it is the first one that will be placed as part of this national initiative. The DAR pillars of organization are patriotism, education and preservation. We are honored that this plaque will reside here alongside the Indiana Territory and William Henry Harrison legacy. Around the base of the plaque are patriots honored by the local members and are part of their ancestry.
Lisa Ice-Johns, Grouseland Foundation Director
In Progress - Cont.
