NEWS

Indiana Landmarks Offers Free Look at Oldest House in Wabash

The preservation organization restored the exterior of the Alber House and is listing it for sale.

Indiana Landmarks invites the public to tour the oldest house in Wabash on Oct. 27, 2 to 4 p.m. The Landmark Look at the Alber House, 45 East Sinclair Street, is free with an online reservation. The preservation organization restored the exterior of the house and is listing it for sale.

Philip Alber, with help from his brother, built his home in just 10 days in 1849. An immigrant from Lichtenstein where he made his living as a mason, Alber used local brick and stone. The family lived on the upper floor and turned the lower level into a German-style café that opened to a backyard beer garden. Alber was locally known for his brewing skills and along with a business partner founded the Reddig & Alber Brewing Co.

You’ll see a wide central hall typical of the Federal style, original wood staircases, wide-plank wood floors on the main level, and a limestone floor on the lower level, where hand-hewn wood beams remain from the Bavarian café days. The 1,600-square-foot house has three levels, with a living room, kitchen/dining room, two bedrooms, and one full and one half bathroom.

Indiana Landmarks acquired the house to prevent its demolition and restored the exterior with support from the City of Wabash, the Efroymson Family Fund of the Central Indiana Community Foundation, and the Alber family. “The house is for sale with a covenant that protects the historic exterior. On the unrestored interior, the buyer is free to make changes that suit twenty-first century lifestyles,” says Paul Hayden, director of Indiana Landmarks’ Northeast Field Office in Wabash and manager of the restoration.

Hayden notes that the historic house has no working restrooms and is not accessible to people with mobility issues.

While the Landmark Look is free, a reservation is required. For details or to make a reservation, visit the tours and events tab at www.indianalandmarks.org or call 317-639-4534.

Those who make a reservation will receive suggestions for dining in historic settings in Wabash before or after the Landmark Look.

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Media contacts:
Paul Hayden, Director, Northeast Field Office, Indiana Landmarks, 260-563-7094, phayden@indianalandmarks.org
Tina Connor, 317-639-4534, tconnor@indianalandmarks.org

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Indiana Landmarks revitalizes communities, reconnects us to heritage and saves meaningful places. With nine offices located throughout the state, Indiana Landmarks helps people rescue endangered landmarks and restore historic neighborhoods and downtowns. People who join Indiana Landmarks receive its bimonthly magazine, Indiana Preservation. For information on membership in the not-for-profit organization, call 317-639-4534, 800-450-4534, or visit www.indianalandmarks.org.

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