Peru, Indiana boasts that it is the home of Cole Porter
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A 3-1/2 hour ride from Chicago
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Cole Porter's Birthplace in Peru, Indiana
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Cole Porter's Cadillac in the Miami County Museum, Peru, Indiana
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Happy Birthday Cole Porter
Peru, Indiana Celebrates Cole Porter’s Birthday
by Betty Mohr
He wrote the sexiest, most sophisticated lyrics and the most delicious melodies in show business, yet Cole Porter was born in Peru, a town of about 12,000 along the banks of the Wabash River in Indiana. He traveled throughout the world and spent a decade in Paris, yet he often returned to the town of his birth, and was buried there at Mt. Hope Cemetery.
To celebrate the birth (June 9, 1891) the songwriter who composed “Night and Day,” “You’ve Got Something” and “I Get a Kick Out of You,” Peru is going all out to throw a party for its favorite son in the Cole Porter Festival on June 7-9.
Although a few events begin on Friday, June 7, the best of the fest is on Saturday, June 8. Some of the highlights of the day include a Porter revue, “Cole in Space,” which is a retrospective of 30 of the composer/lyricist’s great songs, such as “You’re the Top,” “So in Love,” “What Is This Thing Called Love,” “Wonderbar,” and “Begin the Beguine.”
Porter buffs will also appreciate productions that include “Porter Before Paris,” “Porter vs Sondheim,” and “Great Stories About Cole Porter.” Throughout the day there will be a Multimedia Presentation covering the “Life and Times of Porter.”
Besides all those events, bus tours are available to Porter historic sites. One can catch the bus, or make the pilgrimage in one’s car.
The first top along the nostalgic trail should be Porter’s birthplace at 102 E. Third Street. The composer of musicals such as “Anything Goes” (1934) and “Kiss Me Kate” (1948) was born in the upstairs front bedroom on June 8, 1891 to Samuel Fenwick and Kate Cole Porter.
From there, you want to go to the Miami County Museum, which features Porter memorabilia. Here you’ll find the 1955 Cadillac that Porter ordered and had shipped to Paris, where he and his wife Linda (a wealthy divorcee) lived for 10 years. The car was purchased from the son of Porter’s secretary by Andrew Scott, who had it restored. The car has been used in the movie “The Godfather” and the television flick “The Kennedys.”
Also on display in the museum is the sofa designed for Porter after his 1937 accident in which a horse fell on him, crushing both his legs and crippling him for the rest of his life. And then, not to be missed is the dog carrier for Porter’s beloved dog, Hildegard.
Another sight to check out is Westleigh, the home of Porter’s parents, Samuel and Kate, which sits on the east bank of the Mississinewa River. The Emerick Opera House at 16 E. 5th Street (now Berkshire Court) played an important role in Porter’s early musical career. It was here that Porter’s mother passed out tickets for friends to come to concerts in which Porter played the violin.
Porter’s powerful and wealthy grandfather, James O. Cole (he was considered the richest man in Indiana) wanted his grandson to become a respectable lawyer, but his mother wanted him to go into music. Although Porter went to Yale to keep his grandfather happy, he never went into law, rather he was drawn to musical theater. Grandfather James was so furious with his grandson that he cut him out of his will. But Porter’s mom made up for it by giving her son a portion of her inheritance.
Before you leave Peru, stop at Mount Hope Cemetery on West Logan Street where Porter is buried (1964) between his wife, Linda and his mother, Kate.
Where to Stay:
The Cole Porter Inn at 19 South Huntington Street, in Peru, which is Porter’s birthplace that has been converted into an inn (try to stay at one of the suites: the Cole Porter Suite, Kate’s Parlor or the “Anything Goes Suite”); call 765.460.5127 or visit www.coleporterinn.com/
Grissom Inn, 1801 N. Lancer Street, Peru, Indiana; call 765.689.8000; grissominn@sbcglobal.net.
For more information: Miami County Historic Society; 765.473.9183; mchs@mcmuseum.org
Peru, Indiana Celebrates Cole Porter’s Birthday
by Betty Mohr
He wrote the sexiest, most sophisticated lyrics and the most delicious melodies in show business, yet Cole Porter was born in Peru, a town of about 12,000 along the banks of the Wabash River in Indiana. He traveled throughout the world and spent a decade in Paris, yet he often returned to the town of his birth, and was buried there at Mt. Hope Cemetery.
To celebrate the birth (June 9, 1891) the songwriter who composed “Night and Day,” “You’ve Got Something” and “I Get a Kick Out of You,” Peru is going all out to throw a party for its favorite son in the Cole Porter Festival on June 7-9.
Although a few events begin on Friday, June 7, the best of the fest is on Saturday, June 8. Some of the highlights of the day include a Porter revue, “Cole in Space,” which is a retrospective of 30 of the composer/lyricist’s great songs, such as “You’re the Top,” “So in Love,” “What Is This Thing Called Love,” “Wonderbar,” and “Begin the Beguine.”
Porter buffs will also appreciate productions that include “Porter Before Paris,” “Porter vs Sondheim,” and “Great Stories About Cole Porter.” Throughout the day there will be a Multimedia Presentation covering the “Life and Times of Porter.”
Besides all those events, bus tours are available to Porter historic sites. One can catch the bus, or make the pilgrimage in one’s car.
The first top along the nostalgic trail should be Porter’s birthplace at 102 E. Third Street. The composer of musicals such as “Anything Goes” (1934) and “Kiss Me Kate” (1948) was born in the upstairs front bedroom on June 8, 1891 to Samuel Fenwick and Kate Cole Porter.
From there, you want to go to the Miami County Museum, which features Porter memorabilia. Here you’ll find the 1955 Cadillac that Porter ordered and had shipped to Paris, where he and his wife Linda (a wealthy divorcee) lived for 10 years. The car was purchased from the son of Porter’s secretary by Andrew Scott, who had it restored. The car has been used in the movie “The Godfather” and the television flick “The Kennedys.”
Also on display in the museum is the sofa designed for Porter after his 1937 accident in which a horse fell on him, crushing both his legs and crippling him for the rest of his life. And then, not to be missed is the dog carrier for Porter’s beloved dog, Hildegard.
Another sight to check out is Westleigh, the home of Porter’s parents, Samuel and Kate, which sits on the east bank of the Mississinewa River. The Emerick Opera House at 16 E. 5th Street (now Berkshire Court) played an important role in Porter’s early musical career. It was here that Porter’s mother passed out tickets for friends to come to concerts in which Porter played the violin.
Porter’s powerful and wealthy grandfather, James O. Cole (he was considered the richest man in Indiana) wanted his grandson to become a respectable lawyer, but his mother wanted him to go into music. Although Porter went to Yale to keep his grandfather happy, he never went into law, rather he was drawn to musical theater. Grandfather James was so furious with his grandson that he cut him out of his will. But Porter’s mom made up for it by giving her son a portion of her inheritance.
Before you leave Peru, stop at Mount Hope Cemetery on West Logan Street where Porter is buried (1964) between his wife, Linda and his mother, Kate.
Where to Stay:
The Cole Porter Inn at 19 South Huntington Street, in Peru, which is Porter’s birthplace that has been converted into an inn (try to stay at one of the suites: the Cole Porter Suite, Kate’s Parlor or the “Anything Goes Suite”); call 765.460.5127 or visit www.coleporterinn.com/
Grissom Inn, 1801 N. Lancer Street, Peru, Indiana; call 765.689.8000; grissominn@sbcglobal.net.
For more information: Miami County Historic Society; 765.473.9183; mchs@mcmuseum.org