We chose a beautiful Saturday morning in April to venture out to the Indianapolis Art Museum where we toured the beautiful and historic “Oldfields” estate, which to most Hoosiers is known as the “Lilly Home.” It was originally built as a country home to escape the city life by the Landon family between 1909 and 1913. The home was then sold to the Lilly family, who is known for their pharmaceutical empire, early in the great depression. In the 1960’s Lilly family then donated the home and all the lands as a site for the new Indianapolis Art Museum.
The mansion is an impressive vision in white. A number of the twenty-two rooms feature items and artifacts belonging to the family. Sadly a large percentage of bedroom furniture and personal items no longer reside at Oldfields as some were auctioned to settle the estate of the late J.K. Lilly Jr. Adding to the loss of furniture, the museum previously utilized most of the rooms on the second floor as galleries. They now serve as museum of the house rather than an example of life. Despite lacking some of the personal home furnishings the whole house is a wonderful visiting experience. The library being a personal favorite of ours.
The estate features exquisite gardens and vast landscaping that has been well maintained and restored. There is a trickling waterfall, small garden bridge, multiple fountains, and hundreds of trees, flowers, and other forms of vegetation. There is even a meticulously manicured formal garden. The estate also features a sizable greenhouse. The greenhouse is open to the public as well and does have plants for sale - so you may want to factor that into your trip budget.
Currently, Oldfields serves as a historic landmark and a mainstay example of life in the early 20th century and the whole experience is entirely free to the public. You may enter the home from the lower rear entrance. There is a movie that plays an introduction to the home, time period, and some special information. We definitely recommend picking up the Oldfields’ Guide book for approximately $15. It contains a variable bundle of information.
The mansion is an impressive vision in white. A number of the twenty-two rooms feature items and artifacts belonging to the family. Sadly a large percentage of bedroom furniture and personal items no longer reside at Oldfields as some were auctioned to settle the estate of the late J.K. Lilly Jr. Adding to the loss of furniture, the museum previously utilized most of the rooms on the second floor as galleries. They now serve as museum of the house rather than an example of life. Despite lacking some of the personal home furnishings the whole house is a wonderful visiting experience. The library being a personal favorite of ours.
The estate features exquisite gardens and vast landscaping that has been well maintained and restored. There is a trickling waterfall, small garden bridge, multiple fountains, and hundreds of trees, flowers, and other forms of vegetation. There is even a meticulously manicured formal garden. The estate also features a sizable greenhouse. The greenhouse is open to the public as well and does have plants for sale - so you may want to factor that into your trip budget.
Currently, Oldfields serves as a historic landmark and a mainstay example of life in the early 20th century and the whole experience is entirely free to the public. You may enter the home from the lower rear entrance. There is a movie that plays an introduction to the home, time period, and some special information. We definitely recommend picking up the Oldfields’ Guide book for approximately $15. It contains a variable bundle of information.
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