This year will see the making of exciting history for Fishers and be of major significance to citizens interested in their community’s heritage. After more than a decade of determined efforts by inspired residents, the grounds of the Ambassador House will be landscaped and the building will undergo renovation. It is anticipated that the property and structure will be open and available for a limited degree of public use by the coming autumn.
Listed as the West-Harris House in the National Register of Historic Places, the building is locally known as the Ambassador House because it was owned by Addison Harris, who served as ambassador to Austria-Hungary at the turn of the last century. In 1996, it was moved from its original location on the west side of Allisonville Road at 96th Street after it narrowly escaped the wrecking ball. Since that time, it has been vacant, existing as nothing more than a shell inside Heritage Park, located at 10595 Eller Road.
A variety of dedicated citizens have been working with the Town of Fishers to restore the Ambassador House to its former glory, and transform it into an accessible cultural, historic and artistic landmark. Although it has been a long, slow process, the extensive planning and fundraising undertaken by passionate residents serving on the town’s Historical Preservation Committee has finally resulted in the project moving into this current phase.
The committee has now evolved into a non-profit, The Ambassador House and Heritage Gardens, Inc., which will oversee the future fundraising and management of the project with the goal of creating a self-sustaining facility. The Town of Fishers will help in getting it launched with funding through a bond of $1 million earmarked specifically for the museum.
The first visible changes will soon be occurring, beginning with construction of the elaborate gardens this spring, which will include an heirloom rose arbor and sunken gardens. “During the summer, interior renovations will take place,” states Pam Newell, Executive Director of The Ambassador House and Heritage Gardens, Inc., “and our goal is to have the building open to the public sometime in the fall.” The Hamilton County Master Gardeners have committed to planting the rose garden, and have volunteered to maintain it in years to come.
According to Mrs. Newell, the Ambassador House is intended to eventually serve the community in numerous ways, and will not be just a museum focusing on Fishers’ history. “The heirloom rose garden is designed to be the perfect setting for weddings, and will have the capacity accommodate 500 guests.” The interior will provide an intimate space that can be used by art, cultural and school groups, or anyone else seeking an event or meeting venue. “We envision it will be used to host all sorts of festivals and other cultural events.”
Even though the project is reaching the major milestone of opening its doors this year, Mrs. Newell points out that they are still actively seeking donations and community support. They have a great need for volunteers willing to devote a little time to any one of the project’s many aspects. “We invite interested residents to attend our committee meetings to see how they might get involved.” The Ambassador House also needs money and donations of period antiques to furnish the building, and the expansive gardens will require help from volunteer gardeners.
Anyone interested in helping to rebuild this symbol of Fishers’ heritage is welcome to attend the preservation committee’s meetings at 7 am on the second Thursday of each month at the Fishers Train Station. The schedule for all town meetings is posted on the doors of the Town Hall at least two days beforehand. The next meeting will be on March 8th. Questions about the Ambassador House can be directed to Pam Newell at pnewell@digitallydone.com or 842-5513.
