Venturing through the quiet, tree-lined streets of East Aurora, New York, one might easily overlook a modest, clapboard house nestled on Shearer Avenue. Yet, this unassuming structure holds a surprisingly rich tapestry of American history, far more intricate than its simple facade suggests. This isn't just Millard Fillmore's first permanent home, the only one of his residences still standing besides the White House; it's a chronicle of early American domesticity, a fascinating tale of unexpected transformations, and a testament to dedicated preservation.
My travels have taken me to countless presidential birthplaces and stately homes, many of which bask in the glow of grandeur and political legend. But the Fillmore House offers something different: an intimate glimpse into the formative years of a man who would become the 13th President of the United States. Forget marble columns and sweeping estates for a moment; here, in this humble Federal-style dwelling, you encounter the earnest beginnings of a lawyer and family man, building a life on the frontier of early 19th-century New York. It’s a compelling reminder that even the most powerful figures often started with very little.
Establishing Roots: Fillmore's Modest Beginnings in East Aurora
Picture East Aurora in 1826: a burgeoning settlement, not yet the picturesque village we know today. It was into this setting that Millard Fillmore, then a young lawyer, brought his new bride, Abigail Powers. Having courted his former sweetheart from Cayuga County, he built this modest frame dwelling, a 1.5-story structure that would serve as their home for four crucial years. During this time, Fillmore was diligently establishing his law practice, with his office conveniently located just across Main Street, a stone's throw from his nascent family life. This period saw the birth of their son, Millard Powers Fillmore, truly embedding the family's story within the walls of this very house.
Why does this period matter so profoundly? Because it's here, in these seemingly mundane daily routines, that Fillmore honed the skills and character that would propel him to national prominence. The house, in its unpretentious Federal Period design, with its simple gabled roof and symmetrical facade, speaks volumes about the pragmatic elegance of the era. It wasn't about ostentation; it was about solid construction, functional design, and a reflection of the emerging American identity—a far cry from the opulent European styles that still dominated elsewhere. Visiting helps contextualize the modest, self-made image Fillmore cultivated throughout his career, a story often lost in the shadow of more flamboyant presidential personalities.
A House on the Move: Twice Uprooted, Once Transformed
What sets the Fillmore House apart from almost any other historic home you’ll encounter is its incredible journey—a narrative of physical relocation and dramatic architectural evolution. Originally, the house stood proud on Main Street, near the current site of the Aurora Theatre. However, the march of progress, or perhaps just changing community needs, dictated its first move in 1915 to make way for that very movie house. Unfortunately, this initial relocation was less a preservation effort and more a temporary reprieve, as the structure subsequently fell into disrepair, becoming an architectural ghost on the landscape.
Then, a truly surprising chapter unfolded in 1930. A visionary artist and children's book illustrator named Margaret Evans Price—who, along with her husband Irving Price, would soon co-found the iconic Fisher-Price Toys—purchased the forlorn dwelling. Rather than demolish it, Price saw potential. She orchestrated its second, more thoughtful relocation approximately a mile away to its current address at 24 Shearer Avenue. Yet, her intervention wasn't merely about saving it; it was about reimagining it. Price embarked on significant renovations, transforming the Federal home into her personal art studio. She replaced the original spindle-type columns with a more classical style, removed ceiling joists to create soaring spaces, and added a large window on the north facade along with a skylight to flood her studio with natural light. The fireplace and chimney, too, were shifted, and one-story additions were appended to the rear. It’s a remarkable example of adaptive reuse, albeit one that temporarily obscured its original character.
This raises a crucial question for any visitor: how much of Fillmore’s original home truly remains after such a dramatic overhaul? Thankfully, the story doesn't end with Price's artistic modifications. In 1975, the Aurora Historical Society stepped in, acquiring the property with a clear mission: to restore the house to its circa 1826 appearance. This meticulous restoration process involved carefully removing Price's 1930 studio alterations, peeling back layers of history to reveal the Federal Period character that Fillmore himself would have recognized. It's a testament to the dedication of historians and preservationists who understand the subtle art of historical reconstruction, allowing us to walk through a home that, despite its tumultuous past, feels authentically of its time.
Authenticity in Detail: Peering into Fillmore's Federal Past
Given its peripatetic history, one might wonder about the authenticity of the Millard Fillmore House. Rest assured, despite its two migrations and one significant artistic intervention, the diligent restoration by the Aurora Historical Society means that visitors can indeed connect with many original components from Fillmore's occupancy. The structure stands as a prime, albeit modest, example of Federal Period architecture: a simple 1.5-story wood-frame dwelling with a clapboarded exterior and a traditional gabled roof. The elegance, characteristic of its era, lies in its understated symmetry and proportion, not in elaborate ornamentation.
Step closer, and you’ll notice particular elements that transport you back nearly two centuries. The house features distinctive 12-over-8 double-hung windows, a hallmark of Federal-era design, with original glass panes that shimmer with the imperfections of age. These windows, carefully aligned across the facade, retain their period-appropriate proportions, framed by thin wooden muntins—the delicate strips that divide the panes. The main entry boasts a classic six-panel Federal-period door, a subtle yet significant detail that speaks to craftsmanship of the time. Inside, visitors will walk across original hardwood floorboards, admire plain but elegant woodwork trim, and encounter many of the original windows (save for the single one enlarged by Margaret Price, which now offers a fascinating point of comparison). A brick chimney anchors the right side, accompanied by a shed-roof porch featuring round columns extending across the three-bay front facade, completing the picture of an early American home that, despite its travels, retains its soul.
Echoes of Domesticity: Rooms That Speak Volumes
Inside the Fillmore House, the intimate scale of the rooms immediately grounds you in the realities of 19th-century life. This isn't a grand estate; it’s a working home, reflecting the practical needs and modest comforts of a rising professional and his family. Each room is thoughtfully furnished with pieces that belonged to the Fillmores, not just from their East Aurora years, but also from their later, more prominent periods in the White House and Buffalo, creating a layered sense of their personal history.
The Living Room, for instance, offers a vivid snapshot of domestic life, decorated with period furnishings and featuring walls stenciled with red and green patterns meticulously traced from designs of the same period. It’s a subtle yet powerful detail that many guides might skip, but it speaks volumes about the aesthetic sensibilities of the era—a touch of color and pattern in otherwise functional spaces. Upstairs, the bedrooms hold more personal treasures, including what is believed to be Millard Fillmore's own bed in one of the rooms, offering a tangible connection to the man himself. The kitchen and playroom further illuminate the daily rhythms of the Fillmore family, showcasing period-appropriate cooking facilities and the simple domestic arrangements that defined their lives here. You won't find modern conveniences, of course, but you'll gain an appreciation for the ingenuity and self-sufficiency required to run a household during that period.
One of the most intriguing spaces, however, is the Victorian Library. This room is a historical paradox, and a fascinating insight into the complexities of preservation. It was actually a 1930 addition by Margaret Price, yet it now houses Empire and Victorian furniture from Fillmore’s later, more prosperous years. Here, you’ll discover significant cultural items that truly surprise: Abigail Powers Fillmore's piano and Mary Abigail Fillmore's harp, both of which were played in the White House. A bookcase used by the Fillmores during their presidential tenure is also displayed. This room challenges the notion of strict chronological purity, instead offering a unique narrative: a 20th-century addition cleverly re-purposed to tell the story of the Fillmores’ subsequent ascent, bridging the gap between their humble beginnings and their time in national prominence. It’s a detail most tourist brochures won’t explain, but it’s a critical piece of the house’s ongoing story.
Beyond the main house, a carriage barn provides further insight into transportation and the domestic support structures essential for any household in the 1820s. The property itself is enveloped by beautifully maintained period gardens, including meticulously kept rose and herb gardens. These outdoor spaces aren't merely decorative; they reflect the practical and aesthetic values of the Federal Period, offering a tranquil complement to the architectural journey inside.
Planning Your Visit: Navigating East Aurora's Presidential Gem
Visiting the Millard Fillmore Presidential Site requires a bit of foresight, but the experience is well worth the effort. This isn't a site you can simply drop into on a whim; planning ahead ensures you gain the most from your trip. The museum operates seasonally, a crucial detail for anyone planning an autumn or winter visit: it is unfortunately closed from November 1 through April 1. To experience the house and its stories, you'll need to plan your trip between April 1 and October 31.
Crucially, all tours are available by reservation only. You absolutely must make your reservation at least 48 hours in advance by calling the Aurora Historical Society at 716-652-2621. Do not assume you can walk in and join a tour, especially during peak season or on weekends; this is a more intimate, curated experience. If you’re interested in a more in-depth exploration or have specific questions, special tours beyond the standard offering can also be arranged through the same contact number. A standard tour typically lasts approximately one hour, providing ample time to explore the living room, kitchen, bedrooms, playroom, the intriguing Victorian library, the carriage barn, and the surrounding period gardens.
Considering the admission fees, the Fillmore House offers excellent value. Children aged 12 and younger are admitted free, making it a family-friendly destination. For those aged 13-18, admission is $5, and for visitors 19 and above, it’s $10. If you're looking to maximize your historical immersion in the East Aurora area, consider the combination tickets. A ticket bundling the Fillmore Presidential Site with the Elbert Hubbard Roycroft Museum costs $15, while a pass combining the Fillmore Site and the broader Roycroft Campus (including the Elbert Hubbard Museum) is available for $20, offering a considerable saving from the individual ticket prices (a value of $25). These combo tickets are an astute choice for anyone planning a full day of historical exploration in this charming region.
The Millard Fillmore House, designated a National Historic Landmark in 1974, stands not just as a monument to one president, but as a resilient artifact that has weathered over two centuries of change, adaptation, and dedicated preservation. It’s one of only 10 National Historic Landmarks in Erie County, distinguishing it as a site of profound regional and national importance. This house isn't merely a destination; it’s an invitation to reflect on the nature of history itself, a place where the unexpected layers of the past reveal themselves, offering insights far richer than any static plaque could convey.