Case House receives award

The old Federal-style house had stood at the corner of Front and Wabash streets in Delphi since 1844, but by the mid-1980s it was scheduled for demolition.

Now carefully restored, the 162-year-old structure known as the Reed Case House at Canal Park has received the coveted Preservation Plaque for 2006. The award was given by the Wabash Valley Trust for Historic Preservation, headquartered in Lafayette. Structures in Tippecanoe and surrounding counties are considered for the award.

"This house was literally rescued from destruction because of the work of many volunteers and interested friends of the Canal Association," said Annadell Lamb in accepting the plaque at the presentation Nov. 8 at the Trust's Graves House Preservation Center. Lamb is chairman of the Reed Case House Committee and a board member of Wabash & Erie Canal Inc., which now owns and operates the house.

The two-story house has special importance to the Canal group because it was built by Reed Case, who was the enterprising young builder who won the contract to build the Wabash & Erie Canal through the Delphi area. Owners of the house, Jim and

June Davis of Delphi, recognized this and offered the house to the Canal Association in 1983 instead of tearing it down. This gift assured its preservation. It was moved to its present location in Canal Park in July 1986, and renovation began soon after that.

After a long history of occupancy by families, as a boarding house and later as a vacated apartment house, there was much work to do. Lamb said damage to the siding, a poor roof, and leaky windows and doors presented grave concerns for the young Canal Association.

"With limited funds, the group relied heavily on volunteers to get the building weather-tight, repair damaged plaster and replace inappropriate picture windows," she said.

"As volunteers began removing wallpaper, tile, pipes and fallen plaster, interesting finishes were discovered. Historic Landmarks Foundation experts were consulted for guidance, and an art conservator came to discover original finishes, working on winter days in the unheated house."

Lamb said room by room, the restoration progressed, with careful attention to preserving and restoring original woodwork.

Entry hall The first-floor hall and staircase have changed dramatically since the Case House was first acquired. After layers of paint were removed, walnut railings emerged. Artist Terry Lacy recreated the faux marble wall treatment. Current photo by Jennifer Archibald

Sponsors for the Wroten Entry Hall, the McCain Parlor, the Gruber Parlor, the Hildebrandt Kitchen, the Justice Master Bedroom, the Grantham

Bedroom, and the Delphi Class of 1958 Sewing Room have made the house a show place where visitors to Canal Park can experience life in the canal era.

Lamb said two rooms remain to be renovated and furnished, awaiting

sponsors and workers. She said one of the rooms will likely be furnished as a children's bedroom.

"We consider the preservation of this house and making it available for public viewing worthwhile endeavors brought about by willing

sponsors, donors and hard-working volunteers," commented Dan McCain, Canal Association president.

The Reed Case House will be open for public viewing during Christmas at the Canal on

Reed Case House - before and after The top photo shows the Case House as it appeared in the 1980s, before renovation. The other photo was taken by the Comet this week. The 1844 house has been restored as much as possible to its original state.

Saturday, Dec. 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 10, from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is free. Tours can also be arranged by contacting the Canal Center at 765-564-2870 or Mark Smith at 765-563-3349.

Preservation Plaque The Reed Case House at Canal Park, Delphi, was recently presented the 2006 Preservation Plaque from the Wabash Valley Trust for Historic Preservation. Pictured, l-r, are Jim and June Davis, who donated the house to the Canal Association in 1983; Annadell Lamb, Canal board member and chairman of the Reed Case House Committee; and Dan McCain, president of the Canal Association. Comet photo by Jennifer Archibald