The Frances Willard House, A National Historic Landmark, and
The Frances Willard Historical Association
Frances Willard was one of the most prominent social reformers in 19th century America. As president of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union from 1879 until 1898, Willard rallied support for temperance as well as many other important reform movements including woman's suffrage, women's economic and religious rights, prison reforms, education reforms and labor reforms. A well-known author and public speaker, Willard captivated the imaginations and mobilized the sentiments of countless women. Under her leadership, the WCTU grew to be one of the largest organizations of women in the 19th century and spread its movement worldwide.
Since 1994 the Frances Willard Historical Association, has had the responsibility of managing the Frances Willard House Museum and collections, the Frances Willard Memorial Library and Archives, and the Victorian Gardens adjacent to the Willard House.
The Frances Willard Historical Association invites you to visit the Frances Willard House, Willard's home from its construction in 1865 until her death in 1898. Frances Willard lived and worked here during the years of her presidency of the WCTU, and for many of those years the house served not only as her primary workplace, but also as an informal national headquarters for the WCTU and a boarding house for WCTU workers. The Frances Willard House tells the story of Frances Willard's life and work and provides a unique glimpse into the life of one of the most prominent women of her time.