The Harrison family's move to 1230 Delaware Street set in motion the northward migration of prominent Indianapolis residents.

In 1939, Mary Lord Harrison sold the house to the Arthur Jordan School of Music (now located at Butler University as the Jordan College of Fine Arts), with the proviso that the house would always serve as a memorial to Benjamin Harrison.

[6] That same year, the nonprofit Benjamin Harrison Foundation was incorporated to manage and operate the museum.

The Italianate Benjamin Harrison House was built at 1230 Delaware Street from 1874 to 1875, using the plans of architect Herman T. Brandt.

Interior features include an oak-trimmed walnut staircase, butternut woodwork, and parquet floors.

Ten of the sixteen rooms are open for visitors, all decorated in the Victorian style typical of Benjamin Harrison's time at the residence.

75% of the 3,700 pieces of memorabilia actually belonged to Benjamin Harrison and his family, and the books in the museum number 2,440.