This was the home of William Henry Harrison, our 9th President. He died one month after his inauguration in 1841, the shortest term of any president. Due to his short term in office, he is barely a footnote in our history, but he was actually quite a substantial man prior to the presidency. He served as governor of the Indiana Territory 1800-1812, which covered what is today Illinois and Wisconsin as well as Indiana. He gained military fame as commander of a militia that defeated the Shawnee at the battle of Tippecanoe, and commanded the Northwest Territory military forces during the War of 1812. He was a US Congressman, US Senator and ultimately President.As governor of Indiana Territory, he built and lived here, which he named Grouseland, because he loved to hunt and eat grouse.Entry hallwayParlorDining roomGrouse themed chinaIn the basement, a loom and spinning wheel are displayed.Grouse feathersNote handwritten note by William Henry Harrison in 1794: “The contractors will please to issue to the Chickasaw Indians sixteen rations of flour and meat.”Painting of Harrison meeting Shawnee leader Tecumseh.1840 campaign banner: “Strike for Our Country’s Good”Prehistoric copper spear point, commonly called a “rat-tail spear point”, estimated to be from 1,000-4,000 BC, on display in Grouseland’s basement.Various portraits of Harrison.Harrison with First Lady Anna Harrison.First Lady Anna Harrison. She never made it to the White House. She was ill when Harrison was inaugurated, then when she was packing to move to Washington. she received word of Harrison’s death.Harrison bust.
