Veraestau Historic Landmark

When Jesse Holman combined the Latin words for spring, summer and fall to name his property in 1810, he hoped winter would never touch his home. In a way, it never has. Set high above the Ohio River in Aurora, Indiana, the landmark home captures a long sweep of Indiana's architectural history and exemplifies the historic preservation practiced by generations of two families - the Holman/Hamilton clan and the O'Brien/Gibson family.

Although the two-story log house with a brick addition Holman built in 1810 was humble, his choice of name and the value he placed on history set the tone for a grand estate. An Indiana Supreme Court Justice and a federal judge, Holman participated in drafting the state's first constitution and founding the Indiana Historical Society and Franklin College.

After Holman's log home burned in 1837, his son-in-law Allen Hamilton bought Veraestau, salvaged the remaining brick portion, and in 1838 added a one-story Greek Revival structure. The style was at its height; architectural trendsetters employed Greek Revival to reinforce similarities between the democratic ideals of ancient Greece and the new United States of America. In 1913, Allen's daughter Margaret Vance Hamilton added a two-story Greek Revival structure that included four bedrooms, a bathroom, a dining room, a kitchen, a breakfast room and two sleeping porches.

After nearly 125 years of ownership, the Holman/Hamilton family sold Veraestau to Lawrenceburg industrialist Cornelius O'Brien in 1933. He bought Veraestau as a country retreat for his family; his wife Anna Cook O'Brien and daughters Mary and Anna Belle.

Cornelius O'Brien was one of Indiana's earliest historic preservationists. In 1936, he commissioned Cincinnati architect John Henri Deeken to design a three-room brick addition to the house, similar in size and scale to the original brick structure and attached to the 1913 wing. O'Brien's interest in caring for old things extended to his newly purchased land, and he set about reforesting depleted woodlands, assembling orchards and creating grazing pastures for his Percheron horses and Hereford cattle.

O'Brien died in 1953, but Mary O'Brien Gibson and her family - by now grown to include her husband John Timberlake Gibson, their son Cornelius O'Brien Gibson, and grand-daughters Allegra Halcyon Gibson and Annabelle O'Brien Gibson- continued to gather at the farm. Following in her father's footsteps, Mrs. Gibson dilligently worked to maintain and preserve the property.

From her home in Washington, DC, Mrs. Gibson presides over the Cornelius and Anna Cook O'Brien Foundation, which supports a variety of preservation activities in Indiana. Mrs. Gibson, a longtime, generous supporter of Historic Landmarks Foundation- has long been concerned about Veraestau's physical condition and its future. In 1997, Historic Landmarks Foundation and Mrs. Gibson agreed that Historic Landmarks would open Veraestau for tours by appointment; offer its use for events; oversee restoration work that prepares Veraestau for its next century; and give people in Dearborn, Ohio, Ripley and Switzerland counties readier acces to preservation services by staffing the property with a preservation professional. Under this agreement, Veraestau remains a private home, owned by the Cornelius and Anna Cook O'Brien Foundation and operated by Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana.

Historic Landmarks Foundation, the nation's largest statewide preservation group, saves and protects buildings and places of architectural and historical significance. From its network of regional offices, Historic Landmarks leads and assists individuals, organizations and communities in preserving and revitalizing endangered landmarks through education, advocacy, and financial support. A private, nonprofit organization, Historic Landmarks seeks to enrich contemporary life and leave a legacy of landmarks. Historic Landmarks is supported by memberships, grants and contributions. For more information about saving a landmark or becoming a member of the Foundation, call (317)-639-4534 or (800)-450-4534.

From I-275 loop around Cincinnati, Ohio, take Exit 16 to US 50 West 7 miles to Indiana State Route 56 South approximately two blocks to Main Street in Aurora. Turn right on Main Street. Turn left on Fifth Street. Turn right on Market Street and then left on Glenmary Lane.

By Appointment Only. Wednesday through Sunday, April through December, 10am to 5pm. Closed on holidays. One week advance reservation required for groups of ten or more. The one-hour tour includes most of the house and grounds (Only first floor of the house is accessible to people with disabilities.)

Donations are requested - $4 per adult; $3 per senior citizen; $2 per child age 12-18; $1 per child 6-12. For groups of 25 or more, cost is $3 per person (no credit cards accepted)

Private Functions: $50 per hour, six hour minimum; non-profit organizations: $100 flat fee, eight hour maximum.

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Veraestau: Indiana Historic Landmark