The Dorman House is a familiar landmark to most Clintonians. A red brick “I-House” at the corner of Franklin and Water Street, it has been the site of many school field-trips, tours, and open houses over the years. It is the oldest 2-story residential building currently standing in Clinton. And in order to remain standing, it needs our help.
Built in 1852 and purchased in 1855 by Judge J.G. Dorman and his wife Udolpha, the Dorman House remained owned and occupied by members of the Dorman family until the death of Judge and Udolpha’s granddaughter, Udolpha Phillips, in 1992. The remaining Dorman descendants sold the building to Clinton Main Street in 1996, and Main Street in turn deeded the house to its current owners, the Henry County Historical Society, (HCHS) in 2008.
Current and former owners have done their best to keep up with necessary maintenance and repairs, but as any building ages over sufficient time, major issues will unfortunately occur. In 2021, the Dorman House was recognized as a “Place in Peril” by the non-profit organization Missouri Alliance for Historic Preservation. The Alliance stated at that time, “the house has developed severe foundation and wall issues… [HCHS] needs to take immediate action to prevent further damage and possible loss of the Dorman House.”
HCHS has been doing its best to take action, and renovations have begun on the house, with updates posted to a Go Fund Me page for donations showing stabilization rods for the walls and piers in place under the foundation of the building. However, restoring major structural damage to a house built in 1852 is not exactly inexpensive, and the GoFundMe page has failed to raise sufficient funds for the totality of needed repairs.
To further raise the money needed to Save the Dorman House, HCHS will host a fundraiser at the DeLozier Building at 101 N Washington St on Saturday, June 10th. Doors will open at 5:00 PM, which is when the silent auction will begin. There will also be a chicken dinner by Jim Kalberloh served at 5:30 PM, live music from the TLC Dulcimer band, and a live auction by Lora Anstine beginning at 6:30 PM. Tickets cost $20 if purchased in advance at the Henry County Museum or the Greater Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce, or may be purchased at the time of the event for $25.
If you have questions about the fundraiser, or about the Dorman House itself and its part in Henry County history throughout the years, you’re encouraged to contact the Henry County Museum at 660-885-8414.
