Levi Coffin House Interpretive Center
Fact Sheet
OVERVIEW
The Levi Coffin Visitor Center will include the rehabilitation of a
historic structure (built ca. 1833) into an interpretive center at the Levi
Coffin State Historic Site as well as upgrades to the historic Coffin
home. The center will feature such visitor amenities as an orientation
area, expanded gift shop, appropriately sized restrooms and staff offices.
Most importantly, it will feature an exhibition focusing on the work of
19th century anti-slavery activists Levi and Catharine Coffin. This
exhibition will allow the expansion of site’s interpretation by
symbolizing and celebrating the spirit and courage of freedom seekers escaped slaves - and 19th century anti-slavery activists Levi and
Catharine Coffin, as well as their home, which serves as one of the bestdocumented and important Underground Railroad sites in the United
States. More than 1,000 freedom seekers pass through the home in route
to freedom.
.
Immediately north of the Levi Coffin House State Historic Site, located
Location
113 N. US. 27, Fountain City, Ind.
Renovation Architect TBD – February, 2015
Unknown
Original Architect
Scheduled
Dec. 11, 2016
Completion
$3.2 million including improvements to the Levi Coffin House
Project Cost
Coffin House built by Levi and Catharine Coffin ca. 1836
Key Dates
Current structure constructed ca. 1833
Coffin House purchased by State of Indiana from estate of Nola Rupe
Brittain, 1967
Project Description
Restoration of Coffin home by Wayne County Historical Society, 1967 1972
Operation of Levi Coffin State Historic Site by Levi Coffin House
Association 1972 - present
Purchase of current structure for purposes of conversion into
interpretive center, 1999
Fundraising and planning 1999 - present
Approval of design, 2014
Anticipated start of construction, March 2015
MAJOR FEATURES
This 50-seat space will be created as the interior of a Quaker Friends
Meeting (Church) providing a 10 minute orientation film about the
conscious choices made by the freedom seekers and the Coffins. This
will provide an overview in preparation for the full site visit including the
visitor center and tour of the Coffin House itself.
Expanded Gift Shop The 750 square feet of retail space is a substantial expansion from the
4’x6’ table previously used in the Coffin House. The space will include
various quotes from freedom seekers, abolitionists and others as well as
images of freedom seekers. This area and the auditorium will be
available for community meetings and other such facility use
opportunities.
Souls Seeking Safety: Visitors will have the opportunity to explore what Levi Coffin called the
Bringing Indiana’s “Mysterious Road.” They'll review the conscious choices made by those
whose stories are told through a dynamic exhibition and consider how
Underground
Railroad Experience they might have responded themselves.
to Life
The exhibition will put the Coffins' work in national context and share
the voices and experiences of the freedom seekers. It also will explain
how individuals battled the economics that supported slavery through the
Free Labor movement, a precursor for today's Fair Trade efforts, and
Levi Coffin's significant work in this area
Exhibition
The entire building is an exhibition symbolizing and celebrating the spirit
Enhancements
and courage of freedom seekers - escaped slaves - and 19th century antislavery activists Levi and Catharine Coffin, as well as their home.
Orientation
Experience
Visitor Amenities
Entrance ways, queue areas and appropriate restroom facilities are a part
of the much needed enhancements that the visitor center will provide.
Building Systems
The building will be built to Leadership in Environmental and
Engineering Design (LEED) standards, while providing an appropriate
museum environment.
OTHER ENHANCEMENTS
Levi Coffin Visitor
Center
Coffin House
The south, west and north facades will be recreated as they appeared
during the Levi Coffin’s occupation of their house next door. Six of the
original windows will be restored to help with this effort.
Drainage and interior repairs are the portion of the project that will help
with the preservation of this National Historic Landmark. Another effort
involves relocating the business offices to the visitor center. This helps
the historic structure maintain its integrity and eliminates certain use
concerns.
When the visitor center opens, the site will have a full-time staff
member allowing the site to be open year round.
Expanded Hours
Appropriate office
space
The visitor center will provide adequate space for staff offices and
volunteer workers.
DESIGN TEAM
Architects
MEP Engineers
Department of Natural Resources, Division of Engineering
Enverity Engineering (formerly L’Aquis Consulting Engineers),
Indianapolis
Structural Engineers Arsee Engineers, Fishers and Charlier, Clark and Linard, Indianapolis
Auditorium Media
Production
Exhibition Design
Bennett Innovations, Indianapolis, Bruce White, Director
RLR Associates, Inc., Indianapolis, Rodney Reid, Principal