Cole Porter Birthplace (Peru, Indiana)

 museum  Add category

www.oleolsen.org/coleporterbirthplace/

Born in 1891 to Samuel and Kate (Cole) Porter, Cole Porter was born in and spent the first ten years of his life in the home at 17-19 South Huntington Street, in Peru, Indiana. In that short time, Cole wrote several of his early songs (including The Bob-O-Link Waltz) in that home... his beginnings as an unparalleled composer and lyricist!

In the years since, privately owned and subsequently converted into multiple apartments, Porter's birthplace fell into a state of disrepair. Furthermore, it became the site of criminal activity in 2003, when a clandestine methamphetamine lab was discovered (and destroyed) by law enforcement officials in one of the upper apartments. The property eventually became the property of the Peru city tax rolls...

...that is, until purchased in late 2004 by Ole Olsen Memorial Theatre! The civic theater group, founded in 1964 as the namesake of vaudeville actor John Siguard "Ole" Olsen, has decided to take the project of restoration of the Cole Porter birthplace under its wing!

Restoring landmarks is familiar territory for Ole. Other restoration credits include:
• the Peru Depot (currently, the Ole theater!)
• the Wabash/Erie Canal toll house
• ...and now, the Cole Porter birthplace!

Ole's intent is to restore home to 1891 condition, make a Cole Porter museum that will be open to public, offer walk-thru tours of the home, and perhaps use a portion of the home as bed and breakfast, with one or two suites of elegance for those fascinated with the aura of Porter and his music.