Office of the President DePauw University
mail P.O. Box 37
Greencastle, IN
46135-0037
Work: (765) 658-4220 FAX: (765) 658-4224
The Elms: The President's Residence
The Elms, the traditional DePauw University President's home, is significant as one of the most elaborate and best-preserved examples of the Colonial Revival style in Greencastle. It has served as the residence for one of Greencastle's most prominent citizens as well as the home for seven DePauw University presidents.
The house displays many Colonial Revival features: a balconied entry portico, multiple light sash windows, columns, corner pilasters, a gambrel roof and a modillioned cornice.
The history of The Elms began in 1905, when William VanArsdel, a lawyer, businessman, politician and Asbury College graduate, moved to Greencastle. He hired Folz and Parker of Indianapolis to design the present house, which was completed in 1907. VanArsdel lived in the house until his death in 1922. Three years later VanArsdel's widow sold the property to DePauw University. From 1925 until 1981, The Elms served as the residence of every DePauw University president.
The home was remodeled in 1926 before President Lemuel H. Murlin occupied it. During the presidency of G. Bromley Oxnam the rear and side additions to the house were added. A reception room and dining room were built to provide suitable space for large-scale entertaining and accommodation of guests. A library was also added to the south side of the house. From 1933 until 1981, every important guest of the University was entertained at The Elms. These national and international figures included Prime Minister John G. Diefenbaker of Canada, Nobel Prize winner and U.N. President Ralph Bunche, anthropologist Margaret Mead, Count Van Leeckner of the German Navy, actress Catherine Cornell, the Grand Duchess Marie of Russia, British Prime Ministers Winston Churchill and Harold MacMillan, pilot Amelia Earhart and President Richard Nixon.
In 1981, DePauw sold the house to Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. West '57, with the understanding that if in the future the property was offered for sale, DePauw would have the right of first refusal. In 1991, the property was offered for sale, and the Board of Trustees voted to repurchase the residence. The house again became property of the University in April 1992. The residence today continues to serve as a place of special hospitality for alumni, students, faculty and guests of DePauw University. The Elms was nominated and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
