Paul Dresser Birthplace
Encyclopedia
The Paul Dresser Birthplace, located in Fairbanks Park of Terre Haute, Indiana
, between downtown and the Wabash River
, is a historic home listed on the National Register of Historic Places
. It was the birthplace of Paul Dresser
, a 19th century songwriter who wrote many notable songs, including "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away
", the state song of Indiana
.
The building was built in 1850, and owned by Dresser's parents John Dreiser and Sarah Dreiser. John Dreiser had personally built the porch for the brick house that when built consisted solely of one bedroom, lean-to kitchen, and living room. On April 22, 1859, Sarah Dreiser gave birth to Paul Dresser in the house. Dresser made his fame in Indianapolis
and New York City
, but would routinely revisit his parents who still lived in Terre Haute.
Originally, the house was located at 318 S. Second Street in Terre Haute. During the 1960's urban renewal
threatened the demolition of the building. The Vigo County Historical Society managed to find the money to save the building, relocating it to the southeast corner of Fairbanks Park.
The house received two honors in 1967. In that year it was given State Shrine and Memorial status by the Indiana General Assembly
, and was listed as "A Landmark of American Music" by the National Music Council
.
The modern building consists of two floors. The first floor has a bedroom, kitchen, and parlor. The second floor has two bedrooms that are only accessible by outside staircase. Currently the Vigo County Historical Society runs the home as a museum, sometimes open during the summer, and by appointment. Artifacts pertaining to Dresser include a Chickering
piano
that he used to write songs, and a portrait of Dresser painted during the height of his career. Unlike most historical homes, Dresser's birthplace reflects the furnishings of a working class family, not the well-to do.
Paul Dresser Birthplace is located in Terre Haute's Fairbanks Park, which includes the local Girl Scout
office and the Terre Haute parks department office. The main road within the park is named Paul Dresser Drive, officially named for Dresser in 1923 by the Banks-of-the-Wabash Association
Terre Haute, Indiana
Terre Haute is a city and the county seat of Vigo County, Indiana, United States, near the state's western border with Illinois. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 60,785 and its metropolitan area had a population of 170,943. The city is the county seat of Vigo County and...
, between downtown and the Wabash River
Wabash River
The Wabash River is a river in the Midwestern United States that flows southwest from northwest Ohio near Fort Recovery across northern Indiana to southern Illinois, where it forms the Illinois-Indiana border before draining into the Ohio River, of which it is the largest northern tributary...
, is a historic home listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. It was the birthplace of Paul Dresser
Paul Dresser
Johann Paul Dresser, Jr. was a popular American songwriter of the late 19th century and early 20th century. As a child and adolescent he was frequently in trouble and spent several months in jail before joining a band of traveling minstrels...
, a 19th century songwriter who wrote many notable songs, including "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away
On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away
"On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away" was among the best-selling songs of the 19th century in terms of sheet music sold. Written and composed by American songwriter Paul Dresser, it was published by the Tin Pan Alley firm of Howley, Haviland & Co. in October 1897. The lyrics of the ballad...
", the state song of Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
.
The building was built in 1850, and owned by Dresser's parents John Dreiser and Sarah Dreiser. John Dreiser had personally built the porch for the brick house that when built consisted solely of one bedroom, lean-to kitchen, and living room. On April 22, 1859, Sarah Dreiser gave birth to Paul Dresser in the house. Dresser made his fame in Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
and New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, but would routinely revisit his parents who still lived in Terre Haute.
Originally, the house was located at 318 S. Second Street in Terre Haute. During the 1960's urban renewal
Urban renewal
Urban renewal is a program of land redevelopment in areas of moderate to high density urban land use. Renewal has had both successes and failures. Its modern incarnation began in the late 19th century in developed nations and experienced an intense phase in the late 1940s – under the rubric of...
threatened the demolition of the building. The Vigo County Historical Society managed to find the money to save the building, relocating it to the southeast corner of Fairbanks Park.
The house received two honors in 1967. In that year it was given State Shrine and Memorial status by the Indiana General Assembly
Indiana General Assembly
The Indiana General Assembly is the state legislature, or legislative branch, of the state of Indiana. It is a bicameral legislature that consists of a lower house, the Indiana House of Representatives, and an upper house, the Indiana Senate...
, and was listed as "A Landmark of American Music" by the National Music Council
National Music Council
The National Music Council of the United States is a United States national organization listed under Title 36 of the United States Code, founded in 1940 and chartered by the 84th Congress in 1956. The Council is composed of organizations of national scope interested in the development of music...
.
The modern building consists of two floors. The first floor has a bedroom, kitchen, and parlor. The second floor has two bedrooms that are only accessible by outside staircase. Currently the Vigo County Historical Society runs the home as a museum, sometimes open during the summer, and by appointment. Artifacts pertaining to Dresser include a Chickering
Jonas Chickering
Jonas Chickering was a piano manufacturer in Boston, Massachusetts.Jonas Chickering was born in Mason Village, and raised in nearby New Ipswich, New Hampshire where his father Abner Chickering kept a farm and worked as a blacksmith...
piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
that he used to write songs, and a portrait of Dresser painted during the height of his career. Unlike most historical homes, Dresser's birthplace reflects the furnishings of a working class family, not the well-to do.
Paul Dresser Birthplace is located in Terre Haute's Fairbanks Park, which includes the local Girl Scout
Girl Scouts of the USA
The Girl Scouts of the United States of America is a youth organization for girls in the United States and American girls living abroad. It describes itself as "the world's preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls". It was founded by Juliette Gordon Low in 1912 and was organized after Low...
office and the Terre Haute parks department office. The main road within the park is named Paul Dresser Drive, officially named for Dresser in 1923 by the Banks-of-the-Wabash Association