2439 NE 21st Avenue The Henry B. Miller House An Ellis Lawrence-designed Tudor/Arts & Crafts Home

When Henry B. Miller returned to Portland after a long career as a politician and American diplomat, he hired noted Portland architect Ellis Lawrence to design this gracious home.  The home that Ellis Lawrence designed for Miller's retirement years in 1911 is an elegant and beautifully proportioned example of the English Arts & Crafts Style inspired by the Tudor period. It was designed at a time when Lawrence was practicing architecture independently, and is one of the finest and best preserved examples of his work during this period. The house is characterized by fine materials both inside and out and a high quality of workmanship -- all expressed in restrained and understated ornament.  This home is on the National Register of Historic Places.  For more information on its history and on its architect, see the National Register section of this website.

The current owners purchased the house in 2000. The original 1911 front porch canopy and second floor balcony had been removed by a previous owner. The current owner had the original replicated as approved by the state historic preservation office. The interior entry and living room is largely original.  The dining room retains its original walnut woodwork.  The original dining room fireplace is unusual in Irvington homes.

The kitchen is largely new. The eating area is an earlier addition expanded by the current owners. In a concession to the state historic preservation office, which wanted to distinguish the new addition from the original house, the date of the addition is recorded on the exterior in Latin. The butler’s pantry was gutted but all the cabinets were saved and replaced.

On the second floor a master bedroom suite has been created from the original library and two additional bedrooms. The bedroom is in the former library, and still has the original glass front bookcases and built in bench. The master closet and the master bathroom are each a former bedroom.

The grounds have been beautifully re-landscaped by the current owners with a new wall and wrought iron fencing.

Another Ellis Lawrence-designed home was on the 2005 Home Tour, click here for details.