Own the birthplace of one of Floyd County’s most distinguished citizens! Located about eight miles west of New Albany on the historic main street of the small community of Georgetown (population 2300), the Sherman Minton house was constructed c.1870. Sherman Minton was born in this home on October 20, 1890. “Shay,” as he was known in his younger years, was once referred to as “the meanest boy to grow up in Georgetown.” He attended elementary school there and went on to New Albany High School where he graduated in 1910. Sherman was a very good athlete, with baseball being his favorite sport. He played it, along with football, NAHS and at Indiana University where he received his law degree and was admitted to the bar in 1915. He also played semi-profession baseball for several New Albany teams.

In 1928, he became a partner in the New Albany law firm of Stotsenbug and Weathers. Sherman was elected US senator for the years 1935 – 1941. After a failed reelection attempt, he was appointed to the Federal Court of Appeals in Chicago, Illinois. In 1949, President Harry S. Truman appointed Sherman Minton to the Supreme Court where he remained until September 7, 1956. During Justice Minton’s tenure on the Supreme Court, the decision of Brown vs. the Board of Education was made, stating that children of all races should be allowed to attend public schools together. After his retirement in 1956, he purchased a home on Sunset Drive in New Albany’s Silver Hills neighborhood and remained there until his death in April of 1965.

The Minton house has over 1200 square feet of living area, including three bedrooms and one bathroom. The full-width front porch is the focal point of the home’s exterior and offers great outdoor living space. Although some of its decorative detailing has been removed, it retains its original form and historic photos - such as the one below - are available to guide a restoration effort.

The exterior of the house is currently clad in vinyl siding but the clapboard likely remains underneath. Replacement windows have been added that maintain the original window size and configuration.

Two front doors lead from the front porch into the house. The easternmost door leads into the parlor, which has original woodwork, now painted. The ceiling has been dropped and carpet added, but hardwood flooring likely remains underneath. The second front door, which has Eastlake hardware and is topped with a transom, is set at an angle and opens into a stairhall. A cased opening with a transom leads into the master bedroom.

This large, carpeted room has original four-panel doors, fluted woodwork with bullseye corner blocks, and beaded baseboards. A spacious closet is located under the staircase. The rear of the first floor includes a large kitchen, a laundry/utility room and a full bathroom, all of which have been updated.

Two enclosed staircases, both original, lead to the second story rooms. On the west is a large, carpeted bedroom with a spacious closet. Full-height windows offer plenty of natural light and retain their original trim. The second room, which is not accessible from the first, is also good-sized and carpeted. It has wooden one-over-one windows and an interesting angled ceiling, and could be used as an office, entertainment room or extra bedroom.

The home is located on a double lot that includes historic outbuildings. A barn is located at the alley, the side yard contains a chicken shed, and the back yard has a two story summer kitchen ideal for storage or a studio.

A plaque that identifies the house as Sherman Minton’s birthplace is embedded in a stone wall in front of the house, while stone walls in the slope behind the house create a cozy nook perfect for a patio.

Off-street parking is located at the rear of the lot.