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Coffin, Levi, House

Fountain City, Indiana
County of Wayne.
115 N. Main Street
National Register Number: 66000009
 Resource type: Building.
Property type: Domestic - single dwelling. The threat level was Satisfactory in
2008.
Congressional District: IN-2 Certified Local Government: NO
This NHL offers public access.
Please contact the NHL directly for visitor information.
Current use/information: House Museum: http://www.waynet.org/levicoffin/default.htm.
Web Site: www.waynet.wayne.in.us/nonprofit/coffin.htm.

Statement of Significance (as of designation - June 23, 1965):
From 1827 to 1847, this two story brick house served as the "Union Depot of the Underground Railroad"; its owner, Levi Coffin (1789-1877), a successful businessman, is believed to have helped as many as 2,000 runaway slaves on their flight to freedom during this period. After emancipation occurred during the Civil War, Coffin devoted much of the remainder of his life to improving the lot of freedmen.

Condition:
The Coffin House is generally in good condition. The house needs to be painted and a property line fence needs to be replaced. Work has been in progress for some time to convert a residential property next door into a visitors' center.

The organization is the recipient of a TEA grant to work on the visitors' center and is fundraising to provide the matching funds. A year or so ago, the property was designated one of the ten best sites in the US to visit by the History Channel.


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