NEWS

Tour two Queen Anne-style gems in Jennings County Oct. 6

Landmark Look offers insights into one home being rehabbed and another ready for renovation

A year ago, the Joseph Cone house in Jennings County looked scary — porch rails falling off, windows boarded up, paint peeling. Even scarier, however, the once stately 1894 Queen Anne-style house faced demolition.

Indiana Landmarks came up with an 11th-hour save in late 2018, and today exterior renovation is nearly complete at the Cone House. It is being featured in a Landmark Look, which allows visitors to tour historic places not normally open to the public. The home in North Vernon will be open from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 6. You’ll find plenty of Queen Anne features, including towering brick chimneys, decorative slate roof, patterned gable shingles, wraparound porch and gingerbread everywhere.

It stands in contrast to the Robert and Mary Ann Leavitt House, which also will be open for tours as part of the event. The Leavitt House overlooks the Muscatatuck River. At first glance, you might not take it for a Queen Anne because the original exterior is hidden under siding, but the interior hints at its former grandeur. Woodwork and hardwood floors are original. It has pocket doors, built-ins and a corner fireplace. Preservationists believe it was built before 1884 by carpenter Robert Leavitt. Indiana Landmarks is hoping a preservation-minded buyer will want to snatch up the house for $64,500 and take on its renovation.

The Leavitt house is about a five-minute drive from the Joseph Cone house, and visitors will need to provide their own transportation. Neither home is handicap accessible, as there are steps required to access the first, second and third floors of each home.

Tickets are free for Indiana Landmarks members and $10 for others and may be reserved at jenningscolandmarklook.eventbrite.com, or by calling 317-639-4534. The deadline to reserve or buy tickets is Oct. 5.

WHAT: Jennings County Landmark Look: Tour two Queen Anne-style homes, the Joseph Cone House, which is being renovated, and the Robert and Mary Ann Leavitt House, which is awaiting a buyer to take on the renovation of this historic home.

WHEN: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Oct. 6

WHERE: Joseph Cone House, 305 South Jennings Street, North Vernon, and Robert and Mary Ann Leavitt House, 230 East County Road 20 North, Vernon

COST: Tickets are free for Indiana Landmarks members, $10 for the general public.

TICKETS: jenningscolandmarklook.eventbrite.com, or by calling 317-639-4534; the deadline to reserve or purchase tickets is Oct. 5.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Mindi Woolman, Communications Manager, Indiana Landmarks, 317-639-4534, mwoolman@indianalandmarks.org

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Indiana Landmarks revitalizes communities, reconnects us to our 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 more information on the not-for-profit organization, call 317-639-4534, 800-450-4534, or visit www.indianalandmarks.org.

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