The Lew Wallace study isn’t a massive nor grand facility when viewed from afar; but when considering the context that this entire building was constructed as a study for Wallace and not necessarily a habitable space, it becomes much more massive. Technologically cutting-edge for its time it has over 90 electric light bulbs installed and protruding from plaster flowers amongst other innovations.
Lew Wallace is the author that penned one of the most iconic books of all time: Ben-Hur: A tale of the Christ, which was originally published in 1880. The story itself was a blockbuster seller and has been made into three feature films, an animated film voiced by Charlton Heston, and a Broadway play. The 1959 feature film starring Charlton Heston won 11 academy awards - the first film to do so. Only two other films have since captured this many honors: Titanic (1997) and the Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (2003).
Lew Wallace himself designed the structure to meet his fantastic desires and was known to refer to it as “a pleasure-house for my soul.” The original structure even had a partial moat stocked with fish so that he could sit on the stairs and engage in his favorite past time. In bad weather he could open round windows and fish from the basement of his study as well.
The interior is a cavernous space lined with bookshelves and artwork. The study is currently undergoing renovations and during the process the curators performed paint analysis, uncovering extensive murals and discovering that all the decorative molding was originally painted with 24 karat gold leafing. The large domed skylight ceiling is very indicative of the early industrial period’s building designs. Although the site is currently undergoing some structural renovations, it is still open to the public and worth the visit.
The building now contains roughly 1,200 volumes from Wallace’s personal library and many artifacts from his personal life. Since the study also serves as a museum to Ben-Hur, items related to the Ben-Hur cannon are on display as well.
Entrance to the museum is $5.00 but parking is free. The grounds of General Lew Wallace’s study are surrounded by a large brick wall. The parking lot is not immediately obvious, however on the east wall there is a gated entrance. During open hours you drive in through the gate and park to the right. The yellow carriage house is where your tour will begin.
Lew Wallace is the author that penned one of the most iconic books of all time: Ben-Hur: A tale of the Christ, which was originally published in 1880. The story itself was a blockbuster seller and has been made into three feature films, an animated film voiced by Charlton Heston, and a Broadway play. The 1959 feature film starring Charlton Heston won 11 academy awards - the first film to do so. Only two other films have since captured this many honors: Titanic (1997) and the Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (2003).
Lew Wallace himself designed the structure to meet his fantastic desires and was known to refer to it as “a pleasure-house for my soul.” The original structure even had a partial moat stocked with fish so that he could sit on the stairs and engage in his favorite past time. In bad weather he could open round windows and fish from the basement of his study as well.
The interior is a cavernous space lined with bookshelves and artwork. The study is currently undergoing renovations and during the process the curators performed paint analysis, uncovering extensive murals and discovering that all the decorative molding was originally painted with 24 karat gold leafing. The large domed skylight ceiling is very indicative of the early industrial period’s building designs. Although the site is currently undergoing some structural renovations, it is still open to the public and worth the visit.
The building now contains roughly 1,200 volumes from Wallace’s personal library and many artifacts from his personal life. Since the study also serves as a museum to Ben-Hur, items related to the Ben-Hur cannon are on display as well.
Entrance to the museum is $5.00 but parking is free. The grounds of General Lew Wallace’s study are surrounded by a large brick wall. The parking lot is not immediately obvious, however on the east wall there is a gated entrance. During open hours you drive in through the gate and park to the right. The yellow carriage house is where your tour will begin.
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