W. H. Zinn House
Lafayette Conservatory of Music
| Dates: | c.1870/ c.1900 (tower addition)/1960s |
| Location: | southwest corner Columbia and Eighth Streets, Lafayette, Indiana |
The imposing residence of William H. Zinn was built in 1867 by Thomas Alyward, who soon-after sold the house to Zinn, owner of a large department store. The house remained in the Zinn family for decades, and received a remodeling sometime between 1899-1907 with the addition of the corner tower. The house was acquired by Lena Baer in the early-1900s and opened as the second home of the LaFayette Conservatory of Music. After the closing of the Conservatory, the house was subdivided into apartments. It was sold to William Fitzgerald in 1964 and subjected to multiple unsympathetic alterations for use as a hair salon. Years of neglect left the house in near ruinous condition by around 2001.
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| The Zinn house in 1890, prior to the addition of the tower | January, 2004, View from the northeast |
Many years of water damage and closed-up neglect left the interior in terrible condition. The 1960s remodelings were highly unsympathetic, with blue-and-white checked linoleum and gaudy “French Empire” decoration, with deep blue shag carpet and 1960s prism-covered chandeliers. Woodwork, ceiling plaster work, and walls were coated in varying shades of hospital blue and white. The exterior was painted in a matching blue and white scheme--making the house visible to be sure but more of an eyesore than an enhancement.
When I visited the house around 2001 I thought it had little hope for reuse. It was purchased by Lafayette Neighborhood Housing Services (LNHS) and the exterior has been renovated. The future of the Zinn house is looking up. I was surprised how much of a difference the new paint colors made. The house also received a new roof and window repair.
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| Front facade | Detail of first floor and entrance |
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| 7-27-05 The completed exterior renovation | West side of house - note two first-floor windows covered over with plywood paneling in an earlier remodeling |
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| East facade along Eighth Street | Northeast corner of house |
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| Detail of east bay window | Northwest corner of house |