Indiana Preservationist 1972

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the Journal of the
Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana
"At the 1885 Main Gateway to Crown Hill"
3402 Boulevard Place, Indianapolis, Ind. 46208
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Vol. Ill (1972)
Robert C. Braun, Editor
No. 1
GOVERNOR WHITCOMB SAYS:
"COMMANDANT'S RESIDENCE
WILL NOT BE DEMOLISHED"
The stately 1899 Commandant's Residence at the Indiana
Soldiers' Home north of West Lafayette, Indiana appears to
be out of immediate jeopardy.
Indiana Governor Edgar Whitcomb has assured H.L.F.I.
that he will not permit the demolition of the tall frame 73 year
old structure as long as he is Governor. The State Director of
Management, William D. Murchie, had wanted to remodel the
house with aluminum siding and to do away with the porch
and its white pillars or demolish the entire structure.
Director John M. Harris of the Tippecanoe County Historical Association and William Baugh, Director of the Battle
Ground Historical Corporation toured the structure recently
along with Robert C. Braun, H.L.F.I. Executive Director.
Commandant and Mrs. Keith Malsbery escorted the group
through the building while they related its history. (Since
that time, Commandant Malsbery has passed away.)
An outstanding feature is a bas-relief over the living room
fireplace depicting Civil War Soldiers. It is attributed to an
Italian artist whose name has long since been lost.
Originally the Commandant's Residence, along with furnishings, cost a total of $8,000.00. No tax monies were used
to build the structure. As our Civil War veterans aged and the
need for the home became apparent, the old soldiers chose
the style of the house they wanted for the Commandant.
They still remembered the beauty and dignity of southern
architecture. In their choice of such a structure, they were
also manifesting permanent, visible evidence that the emotional wounds of the war were healing well, and that the
states were again united.
Architectural historians tell us that the building is an excellent example of institutional architecture and that most of this
style has disappeared from Indiana.
H.L.F.I. consulted with Dr. Aldo Giorgini, Associate Professor of Civil Engineering at Purdue University. Dr. Giorgini
said he had inspected the Commandant's Residence and could
see very little wrong with it,
although he did want to inspect
it further.
Application is being made to
place the Commandant's Residence, along with several other
of the institution's significant
buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. H.L.F.I.
President, H. Roll McLaughlin,
who is a member of the State
Historic Preservation Committee, agrees that the structure is
significant and says it is being
considered for the National Register. Governor Edgar Whitcomb
Left to right: William Baugh, Director of the Battle Ground
Historical Corporation, points out architectural features of the
seventy-three year old commandant's residence to HLFI Executive Director Braun and John M. Harris Director of the Tippecanoe County Historical Association. (Photo by Jack Alkire -
Lafavette Journal and Courier)
Inclusion on the Register brings with it protection from
destruction by federally financed projects or projects where
portions of federal funds are being used in conjunction with
local funds. No federal money can be used to destroy the
quality of historical, architectural, archeological or cultural
character that made this property qualify for National Register
inclusion.
There were many veterans' organizations, ladies' clubs,
church groups and historically oriented organizations that
joined forces to make their voices heard in Governor Whit-
comb's office. The loss of such a structure would have
chopped deeply into the roots of Indiana's cultural heritage.