New Albany in Floyd County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Culbertson Widows' Home

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 25, 2021

1. Culbertson Widows' Home (side 1)

Inscription.
[side 1]
William S. Culbertson, wealthy merchant, opened home November 18, 1873 to provide food, clothing, and shelter for town's destitute widows. Home had gas lighting, upstairs water closet, and up-to-date kitchen. Residents' lives were structured according to strict rules. Culbertson's will provided support for the home after his death in 1892.

[side 2]
Board of Trustees for home was formed 1922; it turned the home into a boardinghouse with a monthly fee in 1947. Because of changing city regulations, the Board closed the home 1971. James Banes was builder of the brick Italianate structure, which is included in Mansion Row Historic District, listed in National Register of Historic Places 1983.

Erected 2003 by Indiana Historical Bureau; Steven W. Goodman; and Carlus Holliday. (Marker Number 22.2003.1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 18, 1873.

Location. 38° 17.145′ N, 85° 48.937′ W. Marker is in New Albany, Indiana, in Floyd County. Marker is at the intersection of East Main

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Street (Indiana Route 111) and East 7th Street, on the right when traveling east on East Main Street. Marker is located beside the sidewalk, overlooking the northwest corner of the Culbertson Widows' Home. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 704 East Main Street, New Albany IN 47150, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Nunemacher-Hangary House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Sloan-Paris House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Floyd County World War I Memorial (about 300 feet away); Western Line of the Clark (Illinois) Grant (about 400 feet away); Isaac P. Smith House (about 500 feet away); First Catholic Church in New Albany (about 500 feet away); Culbertson Mansion (about 800 feet away); Mansions of New Albany (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Albany.

Regarding Culbertson Widows' Home. Contributing property, Mansion Row Historic District, NRHP #83000123.

Also see . . .
1. Culbertson Widows Home. Historic New Albany website entry:
Moved by the plight of women left widowed by the Civil War – and himself recently married to a woman who had been in that situation – Culbertson donated $25,000 for the construction of the facility, as well as an endowment of $150,000 for its operation. Local contractor James Banes was responsible for the design and construction of the home. The Widows’ Home was designed to accommodate thirty to forty women at

Culbertson Widows' Home (<i>side 2</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 25, 2021

2. Culbertson Widows' Home (side 2)

a time; the only qualifications for admission were a good moral character, lack of a home, and an inability to support herself. (Submitted on August 29, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Mansion Row Historic District. Wikipedia entry:
Culbertson Old Ladies' Home, built by William Culbertson for the benefit of poor widows, it is currently a bed and breakfast. (Submitted on August 29, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Culbertson Widows' Home Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 25, 2021

3. Culbertson Widows' Home Marker

(looking south from East Main Street • Culbertson Widows’ Home in background)

Culbertson Widows' Home Marker (<i>north/front elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 25, 2021

4. Culbertson Widows' Home Marker (north/front elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 24, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 225 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 28, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 3, 4. submitted on August 29, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.