Porter House Museum

This elegant home is the historic Ellsworth-Porter House, which was built in 1867 and has operated as a museum since 1969. It is named after the Ellsworth and Porter families, who lived here from 1867 to 1898 and from 1904 to 1966, respectively. The museum serves as a showcase for the life and work of Adelbert "Bert" and Grace Porter, both of whom were artists. Bert was interested in the natural world and collected specimens on the many trips overseas he and Grace went on. The specimens include butterflies and other insects, rocks, and fossils. He created artwork using them as well as ferns, mosses, and flowers. He also built the wall surrounding the house using rocks he collected. Grace made needlepoint and painted china, and was involved in social activism as well. The museum is also furnished with households items they collected. The house, which is a fine example of Italianate architecture, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. It is also a contributing property of the Broadway-Phelps Historic District.

Englishman Dighton B. Ellsworth (1822-1896) built the house in 1867. When he immigrated to the United States is unclear but he arrived in Decorah from New York in Decorah in 1885 and opened a general store with a partner. In the coming years he built a successful business career, becoming involved in a number of business interests. This success enabled him to build the house.

Two years after he died, Francis and Emma Young bought the house. Frank (1854-1921) was also a successful businessman, earning his wealth in hardware, farm machinery, and cattle buying. He and Emma (1857-1945) came to Decorah from the town of Fort Atkinson, Iowa, along with their daughter, Grace (1880-1964). After Grace and Bert (1879-1968) married in 1904, he moved into the house and Frank and Emma continued to live there as well (interestingly, Bert grew up in the house across the street. As a young man, he often visited Decorah in the summer to visit his maternal grandparents, who raised him. It was during these visits that he met and fell in love with Grace). Neither Bert or Grace worked. As children of wealthy families, they inherited fortunes that allowed them to freely pursue their interests. They did not have children and lived in the house for the rest of their lives.

Bert came up with the idea of converting his grandparent's house into a natural history museum using his collection in 1940. However, the city rejected the proposal. It wasn't until after Grace died in 1964 that the idea was proposed again. In despair after losing Grace, Bert began selling his personal items and furnishings. His friend Dale Ahern suggested Bert use his own house as a museum. Bert deeded the house to the Winneshiek County Historical Society in 1966 and it was officially established in 1968 when he died. It opened in 1969. The Society owned and operated the museum until 1980 when it became its own organization.

"History of the Museum." Porter House Museum. Accessed March 21, 2022. https://www.porterhousemuseum.org/history.

"The Inhabitants." Porter House Museum. Accessed March 21, 2022. https://www.porterhousemuseum.org/the-inhabitants.

Porter House Trustees. "Ellsworth-Porter House." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. August 6, 1975. https://npgallery.nps.gov/pdfhost/docs/nrhp/text/75000702.PDF.