GrouselandAfter lunching on sandwiches at Kimmel Park our next stop was Grouseland and the Indiana Historic Sites, which are located next to each other at 1st and Scott Streets. The Daughters of the American Revolution, Francis Vigo Chapter, owns Grouseland. We entered the back door by mistake, startling the guide. She recovered and responded by giving us one of the best tours of a facility of this type we have ever had.
The Tour
During the approximately hour-long tour, she related many facts about the building and William Henry Harrison and his family. The DAR has furnished the home with period furniture, some of which Governor Harrison owned while living there with his family. The building, the first brick structure built east of the Allegheny Mountains, served as home to his family, his office for running the huge territory, and as a meeting place in which he and the native tribes concluded many treaties. The home also served as a fortress against native attack. Fortress features included twenty-inch thick exterior and interior walls, interior and exterior shutters and a basement. The basement had a well for water access and a powder magazine.
The DAR does not allow photos of the inside of the museum for security reasons.
 |
| A History Travel Guide For Vincennes |
Indiana Territorial Governor William Henry built Grouseland at his own expense, completing it in 1804. Since Vincennes was on the frontier, he had to import everything for the home that would serve as the social and official life of the territory. From the mansion, he would govern a larger territory than the national capital at Washington D. C. controlled. He called the mansion Grouseland because of the multitudes of grouse that lived in the area. Also called the “White House of the West," the structure is the first brick building constructed in the Indiana Territory.
Meeting House
The mansion's meeting chamber served as the location for many meetings between Harrison and representatives of the local Amerindian tribes and many treaties were signed there. This included the Grouseland Treaty in 1805.
Daughters of the American Revolution
The Harrison family retained ownership of the mansion until the 1840's. The home deteriorated over the years until the Daughters of the American Revolution purchased the property. After restoring the property, they placed care of the structure in the care of the Grouseland Foundation. The Foundation manages the property and events. Vincennes University's campus adjoins the property and several of Vincennes historic buildings have been moved there. These include the Territorial Capitol and several others.
Grouseland
3 West Scott Street
Vincennes, IN 47591
Picker's Paradise Trader Mall
129 N Broadway Street
Greensburg, Indiana, IN 47420
(812) 663-0021
On the Square in Downtown Greensburg
The Bookshelf
101 N Walnut St,
Batesville, IN 47006
(812) 934-5800
bookshelf101@hotmail.com
Wholesale Pricing Available
For more information, contact:
Mossyfeetbooks@gmail.com
Orders over $50.00 Free Shipping
Join Paul Wonning on:
YouTube
Paul Wonning's Books on Amazon Page
Paul Wonning's Books on Scribd Page
Paul Wonning's Books on Apple
Paul Wonning's Books on Kobo
Paul Wonning's Books on Barnes and Noble
Paul Wonning's Books on 24 Symbols
Paul Wonning's Books on Google Play
Paul Wonning's Books on Indigo
Paul Wonning's Books on Playster
Paul Wonning's Books on OverDrive
Search Paul Wonning on Ingrams
© 2019 Paul Wonning
