PAUL & JEAN HARRIS HOME FOUNDATION

Welcome to the Paul and Jean Harris Home

Nestled in Chicago’s historic Morgan Park neighborhood, the Paul and Jean Harris Home is the longtime residence of Rotary founder Paul Harris and his wife, Jean Thomson Harris.

THE HOME

More than a house, the Harris Home represents the power of human connection

Here, conversations around a dining table, gatherings by the fireside, and friendships cultivated across cultures demonstrated that meaningful change often begins with relationships.

The home invites visitors to experience the values that continue to define Rotary today: Service, Fellowship, Diversity, Integrity, and Leadership.

Restored fireplace room with period furniture, rugs, and adjoining sun porch.

Fireside Room interior at the Harris Home in May 2022.

PURPOSE

Preserving a legacy for future generations

Our Mission

To preserve and interpret the Paul and Jean Harris Home as a place to explore how friendship, hospitality, and humanitarian-focused fellowship helped influence Rotary’s movement of service and international understanding.

Through tours, storytelling, and engaging experiences, the Home inspires visitors to strengthen their communities and foster goodwill across cultures.

Our Vision

To become an internationally recognized destination where Rotary members and other visitors encounter Paul and Jean Harrises’ personal story and Rotary’s founding ideals. Visitors will leave inspired to build peace and international understanding by practicing kindness, tolerance, and humanitarian service in their own lives.

Looking Ahead

Between 1912 and 1947, the couple transformed a Chicago home into a place where strangers became friends, hospitality crossed borders, and the ideals of Rotary took root. Looking ahead, the Paul and Jean Harris Home will be more than a preserved historic residence. It will become a gathering place for leadership development, community dialogue, cultural exchange, and peace-focused initiatives.

Paul and Jean Harris seated together beside the fireplace at Comely Bank.

Paul and Jean Harris seated by the fireplace at their home, Comely Bank.

HISTORY

A House with a Global Story

The Harris Home became a gathering place where friendship crossed borders. From their home in Morgan Park, Paul and Jean Harris welcomed Rotary members, civic leaders, travelers, and friends from around the world. Their hospitality helped make the Home an enduring symbol of fellowship, international friendship, and goodwill.

Explore the History
© Rotary International

VISIT THE HARRIS HOME

Experience the Home That Welcomed the World

A visit to the Paul & Jean Harris Home offers a unique opportunity to step inside the personal world of Rotary’s founder and his marriage partner, Jean.

  • Historic residence and grounds of Paul & Jean Harris
  • Exhibits highlighting the Harrises’ travels and international friendships
  • The Friendship Tree tradition and its symbolic impact

INSIDE THE HOME

Explore the rooms, objects, and views preserved at the Harris Home

© Rotary International

The Harris Home Sunroom

The Harris Home Breakfast Nook

The Harris Home Guest Room

Jean Harris's Sewing Area

Wood rocking chair casting a long shadow across the floor of a restored room.
© Rudy Viereckl

Historic Rocking Chair

PAUL & JEAN HARRIS LEGACY SOCIETY

A transformational investment in the Home’s future

The Paul & Jean Harris Legacy Society recognizes an exclusive group of visionary individuals, families, foundations, corporations, and Rotary groups whose transformational support ensures that the story and values of Paul and Jean Harris will inspire generations to come.

Legacy Society members are among a select group who contribute leadership gifts of $250,000 or more to enhance the Paul and Jean Harris Home.

Historic photograph of people seated together on the sun porch.

Historic gathering at Comely Bank, shown with Paul Harris's recollection of friends visiting the home.

SUPPORT THE MISSION

Help ensure that this extraordinary place remains open, accessible, and inspiring for generations to come

Through charitable contributions, planned-giving, sponsorships, and volunteer engagement, supporters help ensure that this extraordinary place remains open, accessible, and inspiring for generations to come.

Close-up of personalized engraved bricks recognizing Rotary clubs and supporters.

Support the home where friendship flourishes