Page 22 - MACC Guide 2019/2020

HISTORY
ALIVE.

by JOHN STAICER
President & Executive
Director, Historic
Madison, Inc.

PRESERVATION EXPERTS USE SUPERLATIVES SUCH AS “EXTRAORDINARY,
VISIONARY, AND SPECTACULAR” WHEN DESCRIBING THE RESTORATION
OF THIS NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK AT 301 WEST FIRST STREET.

Shrewsbury-Windle House

HISTORIC MADISON, INC. crowd ever at a party here” and that to its former glory. Roofs needed re-
(HMI) completed this award win- the home was “the most splendid in placing and the 80-year-old electrical
ning, 5-year, $2.1 million museum- town and is admirably adapted for wiring, plumbing and furnace were
quality restoration in 2018 revealing a soirée.” From that time until 2009 dangerously obsolete. Plaster and
the home’s stunning mid-19th centu- the Shrewsbury and Wyatt families, paint needed renewal. Engineers
ry appearance. The goal is to return the Walker family, and John and discovered the massive set of stone
it to use for a variety of educational Ann Windle were the only owners of steps facing the river were struc-
tours, programs, and special events. the home. They made only modest turally unsound. A 600 page plan
Program income will support ongo- changes during that 160-year time guided the repair, preservation, and
ing maintenance and repair of this span. restoration effort. HMI conducted a
extraordinary place. nationwide fundraising campaign to
MASSIVE RESTORATION pay for the work.
HISTORIC LANDMARK
HMI, founded by the Windles A grand-rededication took place
The Shrewsbury-Windle House in the home in 1960, inherited the last June with guests from across the
has been recognized as a Madison property from the Windle estate in US, including a number of Windle
landmark since its earliest days. The 2011. The group’s board of directors and Shrewsbury family members.
U.S. Secretary of the Interior de- recognized this gem of American Marsh Davis, President of Indiana
clared the house a National Historic architecture was in immediate need Landmarks, and one of our nation’s
Landmark in 1994, the highest honor of major rehabilitation to return it preservation leaders stated: “HMI
a historic property can achieve. The
Landmark nomination highlighted
the home’s fine design, high quality
craftsmanship and its amazing de-
gree of preservation.
FAMED ARCHITECT
Charles and Ellen Shrewsbury
hired famed architect and master
builder Francis Costigan to design Article photos by Lee Lewellen
and construct the home. The couple
hosted a house warming celebra-
tion on April 5, 1849 with music,
dancing, food and champagne.
Left A stunning three-story winding staircase graces the entry hall.
A guest wrote it was the “largest
Right Guests gather in the backyard for one of the many events held at the house.
20 MADISONINDIANA.COM