A History of Hospitality
Durham Home has been redefining independent living for women for over 75 years by providing luxurious services and abundant amenities, starting in 1944 as "a ladies home" to current times as a residence for modern women.
Sarah Durham
Sarah's Legacy
Sarah Durham
Sarah Ellen Walters was born March 8, 1858. She was the daughter of one of the most successful farmers in Montgomery County. Sarah married George T. Durham in December 1893 in a small country wedding. George held a prominent position at the First National Bank in Crawfordsville. Both George and Sarah were popular in the highest circle
Sarah Ellen Walters was born March 8, 1858. She was the daughter of one of the most successful farmers in Montgomery County. Sarah married George T. Durham in December 1893 in a small country wedding. George held a prominent position at the First National Bank in Crawfordsville. Both George and Sarah were popular in the highest circle of church and society in the area in their era. They were married for 44 years until George's passing in February 1937. Sarah died later that same year in July. They had no children.
Durham Home
Sarah's Legacy
Sarah Durham
George and Sarah built their home at 215 West Main Street in Crawfordsville, Indiana, in 1900, just west of the Town Square. The home is an impressive example of renaissance revival of the area.
The Durham's spared no expense when building the home and included extravagant woodwork throughout, combination gas and electric lighting fixtu
George and Sarah built their home at 215 West Main Street in Crawfordsville, Indiana, in 1900, just west of the Town Square. The home is an impressive example of renaissance revival of the area.
The Durham's spared no expense when building the home and included extravagant woodwork throughout, combination gas and electric lighting fixtures, ornate fireplace surrounds, large stained-glass windows, and many other unique features throughout the home. An addition was made in 1952 to enlarge the home to add an additional six bedrooms. Although several other renovations have been made throughout the years to modernize the home with updated conveniences, the unique features envisioned by Sarah and George Durham are still prominent in the home today.
Sarah's Legacy
Sarah's Legacy
Sarah's Legacy
Sarah had a vision of providing a home for women with a genteel, home-like, comfortable environment. She left provisions in her will for her beautiful home to become "A Ladies Home," named "Durham Home" in memory of herself and her husband. She established a Trust from the income of the Durham Farms to provide for the maintenance of th
Sarah had a vision of providing a home for women with a genteel, home-like, comfortable environment. She left provisions in her will for her beautiful home to become "A Ladies Home," named "Durham Home" in memory of herself and her husband. She established a Trust from the income of the Durham Farms to provide for the maintenance of the home. The farms were sold in recent years, however the proceeds from the sale continue to fund the maintenance of the home.
Durham Home, Inc., a 501 (c) 3 foundation, was established in 1944 as the beneficiary of the Durham Home Trust and administrator of the home. Durham Home, Inc. has been maintaining the home for women for over 75 years.
As a result of Sarah's kindness and generosity, we can provide a home for women with rooms to rent at a substantially reduced monthly fee.
Durham Home included on the National Register of Historic Places
Durham Home is proud to be included on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). In 2021, Durham Home's Board of Directors and executive staff initiated the process of nominating the house for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Indiana preservation consultant, Kurt West Garner, wrote the nomination, providing a comprehensive report of architectural detail, owner and Property history. On August 23, 2022, the US Department of Interior officially placed the George and Sarah Durham House on the NRHP.
George and Sarah Durham's exceptional Renaissance Revival home was built during the early decades of Crawfordsville residential neighborhood expansion east and west of the downtown Commerical District. It was designed by Lafayette, Indiana architectural firm, James F. Alexander & Son and built by James Bishop of Crawfordsville, Indiana.
The Homes grand design, scale, fine materials, and attention to detail pre-dated comparable residential spaces in this region. In 1986, Durham House received an "Outstanding" rating in the Montgomery County, Indiana structural survey report published by the Indiana Division of Historic Preservation an Archaeology.
