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Cole Porter's Birthplace Gets Makeover

The birthplace of composer Cole Porter is getting a winter makeover. The 1860s-era house, which has about 21 rooms, had fallen into disrepair over the years. It had been split into several apartments, and police found a methamphetamine lab in one of the apartments two years ago.

The renovations will include repairing the foundation, rebuilding four porches, replacing wiring and plumbing and installing heat and air conditioning.

The new owners, the Ole Olsen Memorial Theatre group, plan to open the home as a museum and bed and breakfast when the work is done. Nearly $52,000 has been donated toward the renovations, which organizers say will cost about $105,000.

The museum plans to sell fudge made with recipes from the now-closed Arnold's Candies of Peru. At his shows, Porter gave away boxes of the candy as presents.

"It's really important this historical landmark be saved," said Mildred Kopis, curator of the Miami County Museum where much of Porter's memorabilia is displayed. "It's an honor to have his birthplace (here) and we should promote it."

Porter was born in 1891 and lived in the house until he was 10. The town of Peru is about midway between South Bend and Indianapolis.,/p

Porter, who died in 1964, wrote more than 1,500 songs for stage, movies and television, including such standards as "I Get a Kick Out of You," "Night and Day" and "Anything Goes," and his life was portrayed in the 2004 film "De-Lovely."