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The Wollenmann House Project Wollenmann Home Update — October 2009 “I kind of had a dream,” said Ken Sicard....To purchase and restore the Wollenmann house at 1150 Main Street.
Sicard made his dreams known during the October 13 town council meeting “We're talking about a very integral piece of Ferdinand history,” Sicard has been doing some homework. He talked with representatives from the Historic Landmarks Foundation about securing a restoration planning grant. He notes his dreams cannot become a reality without donations and a lot of volunteer elbow grease. “To begin we would restore [the exterior] to look like it did but using today's methodology,” he explained. A kitchen and sun room addition on the east side would be removed and an ADA-approved restroom and meeting room added. In the future Sicard would like to see renovation of the second story into office space, possibly even for town employees. “Parking would be in the rear and wouldn't interfere with the neighborhood.” Located on four lots, the house now owned by two of Dr. Wollenmann's granddaughters (the original blueprints are framed and hanging near the stairs) is surrounded by lawns. Sicard thought the addition of a gazebo or two plus some paths would turn the site into a third, albeit smaller, town park. He has met with Verna Wollenmann and Gloria Shreve, daughters of Werner Wollenmann and Dr. W.'s granddaughters. According to Sicard, the sisters are agreeable to the idea. So were fellow council members Ron Weyer and Debbie Johnson. Sicard is hoping for plenty of feedback before he takes the next step — to have the property appraised. By law, the average of two appraisals would be the purchase price. He asks community members to voice their opinions on the plan, either by calling Town Hall at 367-2280 and leaving a message or by emailing him at kensicard@ferdinandindiana.org. Occupying an entire city block in the heart of Ferdinand, Indiana, the Dr. Alois Wollenmann home stands as one of historic Dubois County’s most recognizable residential landmarks. The house received the highest rating (“outstanding”) in the Dubois County Historic Sites and Structures Inventory, and has been rated as “the sixth most important landmark building” in Dubois County. Occupied by three generations of the Wollenmann family, this marks the first time the house has been offered for sale since its construction in 1903. The owners prefer to sell to a buyer who will preserve the home which has been in their family for over 100 years. With no protective preservation ordinance, however, the home is endangered. This is a rare opportunity to own and preserve a unique piece of Dubois County history. Background on the Wollenmann Family The Wollenmann family is deeply rooted in Ferdinand’s history. Alois Wollenmann was born in Neuenkirchen, Switzerland, and eventually studied medicine in both his native country and in Germany. He relocated to the United States and eventually made his way to Indiana where he served as a physician for the monks at St. Meinrad. He continued studies at the University of Kentucky School of Medicine and eventually married and settled in Ferdinand in 1893. Wollenmann married Fidelia Petronella Kempf, daughter of Dr. Matthew Kempf, who taught at the University of Louisville School of Medicine and who had previously served as a family physician in Ferdinand. It was Dr. Kempf who purchased the property known today as 1150 Main Street. He established a medical practice here. Eventually his sons, Edward and Paul, joined the practice. An earlier 19th century house occupied the lot at the time. A building at the southwest corner of the property eventually became the site of Dr. Wollenmann’s medical practice when he became a Ferdinand physician. He also established the town’s first drug store in the building. It also later housed the Ferdinand Post Office for a time and a watch repair business — all operated by Dr. Wollenmann. In 1903, Dr. Wollenmann engaged the services of the Keith Brothers Architects, whose origins are presently unknown, to design a new dwelling for his family. That same year, Dr. Wollenmann lost his wife and newborn daughter. He resided in the house until his death in June of 1912. He was survived by two sons, Werner and Max. Max went on to become a doctor, and Werner ran the drug store and resided in the house. His two daughters now own the property. A Unique Piece of Architecture |
Background on the Wollenmann Family A Unique Piece of Architecture
Dr. Alois Wollenmann Home, built in 1903, and entire city block at 1150 Main Street in Ferdinand. Style: Eclectic (Swiss Chalet-Craftsman) Type: Multi-use—Residential and/or Commercial Condition: Livable, Project (Both) City: Ferdinand State: Indiana Price: $550,000 Number of Bedrooms: 4 Approximate Square Feet: 2,426 Contact Information: Greg Sekula, |
