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After a year of laying each brick and crafting each column to perfection, the miniature replica of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Homes was unveiled to the public Wednesday.
Greenfield artist Jimmie Landers, 82, spent a year in his studio where he usually crafts miniature dollhouses working on his first historical replica.
“This is the first historical I’ve built out of almost 30 pieces,” Landers said.
He added that he would like to do more historical pieces in the future.
Chief Judge Robert Altice cut the ribbon held by children in the Future Presidents of America program. (IL Photo/ Alexa Shrake)
Artist Jimmie Landers and attorney Charles Braun talk about the replica. (IL Photo/Alexa Shrake)
Replica of Benjamin Harrison House in the Indiana Statehouse atrium. (IL Photo/Alexa Shrake)
Replica of the Benjamin Harrison House in the Indiana Statehouse atrium. (IL Photo/ Alexa Shrake)
A photo of Benjamin Harrison sits on the porch of the replica. (IL Photo/Alexa Shrake)
Landers and his family gathered at the Indiana Statehouse along with children as part of the Future Presidents of America program for the ribbon cutting.
The miniature house is similar to the one on Indianapolis’ Old Northside, down to the finer details. Both have more than 40 windows, eight columns lining the front porch, four chimneys, and real slate roofs.
The original home was built of 380,552 bricks, whereas the replica has 48,000.
The replica cost $15,000, which is half of the original cost to construct the building in 1874, which was $29,000. In today’s dollars, it would have cost more than $800,000 to construct.
President and CEO of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site Charles Hyde applauded Landers’ work on the reconstruction of the miniature house.
He also added background to Harrison and his legacy. Hyde said Harrison was understood as one of the first modern presidents.
“His legacy of leadership has been carried forward to today and has helped shape our local and national consciousness and positive, compelling and often unacknowledged ways,” Hyde said.
Board of Directors Vice Chair and Chief Judge of the Indiana Court of Appeals Robert Altice noted that the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site is older than the Indiana Statehouse.
“This home that we’re celebrating today is older than this building,” Altice said.
Hyde said the miniature will reside at the Indiana Statehouse atrium all summer until it is moved to various locations around the state.
Landers said he is in talks about next creating a miniature James Whitcomb Riley House.
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