NEWS
Open House Showcases Hanover House’s Transformation
Rehabilitation of Rodgers-Millican House tied to community revitalization vision.
Home Makeover
In late May, Hanover College faculty and staff, along with community leaders from Hanover, Madison, and Jefferson County, got a sneak peek of completed rehabilitation at the 1852 Rodgers-Millican House in Hanover before the once-endangered property was listed for sale. The event showcased the results of a nearly 15-month interior and exterior rehabilitation by Indiana Landmarks, undertaken through a partnership with Hanover College and the Town of Hanover through the community development initiative “Jefferson Together” and supported by a $30 million Lilly Endowment College and Community Collaboration grant.
Designed to bring together regional partners in Jefferson County—such as Hanover College, the Town of Hanover, City of Madison, Jefferson County officials, and others—“Jefferson Together” aims to revitalize communities and enhance the region’s quality of life. Indiana Landmarks is playing an active role in the Town of Hanover’s revitalization strategy, which involves acquiring and rehabilitating endangered or vacant historic properties along and near Madison Avenue and Main Street, such as the Rodgers-Millican House. In addition to this hands-on work, Indiana Landmarks supports preservation and urban design planning to build awareness of Hanover’s historic assets, including nominating the area to the National Register of Historic Places, an effort currently underway by preservation consultant Kurt Garner. The initiative looks to future development as well, targeting sites for sensitive infill construction.
In transforming the Rogers-Millican House, Indiana Landmarks oversaw a complete makeover of the nearly 2,200-square-foot frame house, including structural repairs to the house and porch, removing aluminum siding to reveal the house’s unique German siding, restoring windows, and installing all new interior systems, kitchen, and finishes. The project restored the house’s original cherry staircase, wood flooring, and woodwork, and incorporated salvaged architectural items, including a built-in china cabinet and bookcases repurposed from a house on the Hanover campus. To add to home’s appeal for potential buyers, Hanover native and Indianapolis architect Megan Phillippe of pH Design Studio designed a sensitive two-story rear addition, allowing space for a mudroom, laundry, second full bath, and a large walk-in closet. A team of contractors, including Dennis Webster of Proper Restorations in Madison, Danny James of Lanesville, and Greg Neff with Harrington & Associates of Indianapolis, led the rehabilitation of the three-bedroom home finished this spring.
“The completed rehabilitation provides for a comfortable house that retains its historic character, while adding plenty of closet space and a layout suited for modern-day living,” says Greg Sekula, director of Indiana Landmarks’ Southern Regional Office. The house is for sale for $405,000 through Legacy Land Use & Realty. See listing details on Indiana Landmarks’ For Sale page.
Stay up to date on the latest news, stories, and events from Indiana Landmarks, around the state or in your area.