The Kelly-Graham House, or Mimi's Place, on West Main Street. A house tour is being arranged on Sept. 6 by Indiana Landmarks.
For some folks it is known as the Kelly-Graham House. Other’s call it Mimi’s Place. Common parlance often calls it Graham’s Mansion. No matter what you call it the house on West Maple Street is a unique piece of architecture and will be featured as part of the Indiana Historic Landmarks tour on Sept. 6. The house that was built in 1912 and still has many of its original features is part of the Indiana Landmarks' new “Landmark Look Series.”
The house was designed by architects Keith and Co. and features the original Jacobethan-style decor designed by Marshall Field and Co. It has been maintained by only three owners over 102 years. The latest owner is John Kramer who bought it around 25 years ago. “I grew up here in Washington and the architecture of the house caught my interest,” he said. “We lived here intermittently and it is my home at the moment.”
When asked about what he felt was the “coolest” part of the house Kramer replied: “It is a Mission Style Arts and Crafts Home that is 100 years old. It is in remarkable condition and is on the National Register of Historic Places.”
Kramer views himself as a caretaker for the home and has put it up for sale at $950,000. Indiana Landmarks has stepped up to assist in finding the right buyer for the property. Much of the original interior design is still in place. The dramatic ceiling and wall tapestries installed by Field’s staff are still there complimenting the beamed ceilings, glazed are tile fireplace surrounds and mosaic tiled floors.
Prior to Kramer purchasing the 7,500 square foot house, the Graham’s owned it from 1918 to 1992. The Graham family was involved in manufacturing, banking and farming in Daviess County.
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