Elston Memorial Home Now Available for Scheduled Tours

The Elston Memorial Home at 400 East Wabash Ave. in Crawfordsville, owned and operated by the Dorothy Q. chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), is now available for scheduled tours.

These tours are available by appointment only. Tours are $7 for adults and $5 for students, with payment in cash only. The tours are for inside, on the ground floor only; there is an optional external architectural tour.

Those interested in scheduling a tour can do so through the Montgomery County Historical Society website, the link for which is www.lane-mchs.org/dorothy-q-chapter-of-nsdar. Alternatively, tours can also be scheduled through the Montgomery County Visitor’s Bureau website at www.visitmoco.com/attractions/historic-chapter-house-the-elston-memorial-home/. The Elston Memorial Home is not ADA accessible

The Dorothy Q Chapter, NSDAR, purchased this home in 1926 from the Elston family who originally built it in 1882. Col. Isaac C. Elston, Jr. (1836-1925), returned to Crawfordsville in 1867 to take over the Elston bank from his recently deceased father, Major Isaac C. Elston (1794-1867). The Colonel and his wife, Sarah Mills Elston wished for a more up to date home. They had 6 children, 5 girls and 1 boy. The Colonel had been looking for an organization to take over his home who would look after it and use it for a good purpose. He accepted the Dorothy Q offer, and upon his passing, his son, I. C. Elston, III., ‘Ike’ (1873-1964), followed through on the sale. The Dorothy Q Chapter formed The Elston Memorial Home Foundation which holds the title.

The home is located next door to historic Lane Place, the home of Senator Henry and Johanna Lane.

It shares a driveway accessed from Pike Street, across from the City Building.

In 2023, the Chapter will be 125 years old, but the chapter house turned 140 years old this year. Many of the furnishings are original to the Elston Family, and the house is significant for its historic association with a family prominent in the development of Crawfordsville. The house is architecturally significant as a superb example of the eastern stick style, and for the excellence of its craftsmanship, detailing, and high degree of integrity.