Whereas, in 1874, construction began on the Italianate-style Harrison residence, carriage house, brick drive, and landscaping; Whereas Brigadier General and President Benjamin Harrison (referred to in this preamble as President Harrison ) and First Lady Caroline Harrison chose every detail of the Harrison residence, from the interior layout to the Italianate red brick design; Whereas H. Brandt was the architect of the Harrison residence and Petrie and Cummings were the excavators; Whereas the 10,000 square-foot Harrison residence was finished in 1 year at a cost of $24,008.59, complete with 16 rooms, 3 stories, and a basement; Whereas 2-feet-thick Indiana limestone made up the basement of the Harrison residence, and 380,552 bricks completed the structure; Whereas the finest French plate windows were installed in the Harrison residence, along with conveniences not enjoyed by most Victorians, including— (1) running water; (2) a coal-fed furnace; (3) 23 working gaslight fixtures; and (4) 12-foot ceilings; Whereas President Harrison, Caroline, and their 2 children, Russell and Mary, lived in the Delaware Street Harrison residence; Whereas President Harrison held many of his famous front porch speeches at the Harrison residence while running for President in 1888; Whereas President Harrison resided in the Harrison residence after returning from the presidency and passed away in the residence on March 13, 1901; Whereas, in 1937, the Arthur Jordan Foundation purchased the Harrison residence and furniture from Mary Lord Dimmick Harrison, widow of President Harrison; Whereas the Harrison residence was used as a dormitory for female students in the Jordan Conservatory of Music, housed in a readapted home on a southern adjoining lot; Whereas the dormitory residents of the Harrison residence gave tours of the first floor to the public; Whereas, in 1951, the Jordan Conservatory of Music moved to Butler University, where it continued to be known as Jordan College of the Arts