Thomas P. Kennard built this house as a symbol of hope. In 1869, it was one of the first significant structures built in the new capital of Nebraska, Lincoln. To create confidence in the new city, the house was built in the elaborate Italianate Style designed by Chicago architect John. K. Winchell. After the house was sold in 1887 it had several new lives: single family residence, fraternity or sorority house, boarding house and private boys’ home.
New tenants brought changes to the original design. In 1923 the original kitchen-dining room and bedroom wing was demolished and a new kitchen was reworked into the remaining structure.
In 1965 a bill was passed to designate the house as the “Nebraska Statehood Memorial”. The NSHS was appointed to restore the house and interpret the hopes for a new capital in a new state it represents.
(Photo: Kennard House as being used by the Delta Upsilon Fraternity House, 1915)
