The Gaar House Museum

Gaar Mansion

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The Abram Gaar House and Farm or known as the Gaar Mansion is a Second Empire Victorian home located in Richmond, Indiana, built in 1876 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The home was built by industrialist Abram Gaar, president of Gaar-Scott and Company, manufacturers of steam engines and threshing machines from 1842-1911. Total construction cost of the home was $20,000 it took eight months to build. The house is situated on a rise overlooking the city of Richmond from the north. Gaar hired John A. Hasecoster, the area's leading architect of the day to design the house and his original plans drawn on linen sheets are on display at the house today.

 
CLEM ADAMS GAAR (1859-1932)
Clem Gaar from The Gaar Family: Pioneers of Industry

    Clem A. Gaar, the second son of Abram and Agnes Gaar, was born in Richmond, Indiana, on the 13th of April, 1859. His youth was spent in the usual manner of lads of the period, study in the school-room and the pleasures of the play-ground engrossing his attention. Entering upon his business career at the age of nineteen years, he began serving an apprenticeship in the pattern making department of the works of Gaar, Scott & Company, his term covering a period of four years and eight months, during which time he became an expert workman. On the expiration of that period he began farming on the old homestead and carried on agricultural pursuits for eight months, but not rending that occupation to his taste, he embarked in the wholesale grocery business in connection with John Shroyer, under the firm name of Shroyer & Gaar. They conducted that enterprise until 1890, and in 1894 Mr. Gaar aided in organizing the National Church Furniture Company, of which he has since served as vice president. They have built up an extensive business and are now enjoying a large and lucrative patronage. In addition, Mr. Gaar is engaged in general farming, making a specialty of the raising of wheat, and a glance at his broad and well tilled fields indicates his careful supervision. He is also a stockholder in the corporation conducting business under the name of Gaar, Scott & Company. He possesses the true western spirit of enterprise, and is quick to note a favorable business opportunity. Therein lies the secret of many a man's success, and the prosperity which our subject enjoys is largely attributable to that quality.
    On the 15th of November, 1882, Mr. Gaar was married to Miss Fannie McMeans, a daughter of the late Alfred L. and Anna L. McMeans, of Richmond. They now have two children, Lucille and Russell A, Mr. Gaar is a leading member of the First Methodist Episcopal church, is serving as trustee, and is a valued representative of the Royal Arcanum. He and his wife have spent their entire lives in Richmond, and in their large circle of friends are many who have known them from childhood to the present.

 

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Last modified: 02/27/22