Paul Dresser Birthplace

The Paul Dresser Birthplace is a two-story brick house containing a bedroom, kitchen, and parlor that show how a 19th-century family lived. A Chickering piano from that period remains in place, showing what domestic life looked like in the home.

The house was built in 1850, and Paul Dresser was born there in 1858. It was moved to Fairbanks Park during the 1960s to save it from being torn down.

The residence belonged to a working-class family typical of Terre Haute in that era. The songwriter's connection to his birthplace shaped the music he later created about Indiana's landscape and people.

Visits are arranged through the Vigo County Historical Society, which requires scheduling a guided tour ahead of time. Plan to book your visit in advance rather than dropping by without notice.

The house displays household items and furnishings that belonged to a working-class family living in the 1850s. These objects reveal how modest the early life of the later-famous composer actually was.

Location: Terre Haute

GPS coordinates: 39.45667,-87.41722

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:21