General Info

Born in 1891 to Samuel and Kate (Cole) Porter, Cole Porter was born in Peru, Indiana, and spent the first ten years of his life at 17-19 South Huntington Street. It is in this residence Cole began his career as an unparalleled composer and lyricist, composing several of his early songs, including "The Bob-O-Link Waltz." In the following years, Cole's birthplace was converted into a privately-owned apartment complex and fell into a state of disrepair. In 2003, the property was turned over to the City of Peru. In 2004, Ole Olsen Memorial Theatre (the civic theatre group was founded in 1964 as the namesake of vaudeville actor John Siguard "Ole" Olsen) purchased the Cole Porter Birthplace and over the next four years, restored to its 1891 condition! Part of that restoration included turning part of the home into a historical Inn. The Cole Porter Inn currently features a gift shop and reception area-Kate's Parlor-and three elegant suites-The Cole Porter Suite, The Anything Goes Suite, and The Night & Day Suite.Born in 1891 to Samuel and Kate (Cole) Porter, Cole Porter was born in Peru, Indiana, and spent the first ten years of his life at 17-19 South Huntington Street. It is in this residence Cole began his career as an unparalleled composer and lyricist, composing several of his early songs, including "The Bob-O-Link Waltz." In the following years, Cole's birthplace was converted into a privately-owned apartment complex and fell into a state of disrepair. In 2003, the property was turned over to the City of Peru. In 2004, Ole Olsen Memorial Theatre (the civic theatre group was founded in 1964 as the namesake of vaudeville actor John Siguard "Ole" Olsen) purchased the Cole Porter Birthplace and over the next four years, restored to its 1891 condition! Part of that restoration included turning part of the home into a historical Inn. The Cole Porter Inn currently features a gift shop and reception area-Kate's Parlor-and three elegant suites-The Cole Porter Suite, The Anything Goes Suite, and The Night & Day Suite.