With more than 133 blocks of outstanding architecture, Madison’s downtown business district is one of the country’s largest National Historic Landmark Districts. Madison’s founders brought with them their own history, which is displayed in the architecture of the homes and buildings that make up this historic gem. Travel America says, “Madison is an outdoor museum of architecture.”
There are 8 house museums that are open to the public during the season and several more open by advance appointment. They range from the office of a horse and buggy doctor (kids love the skeleton), to a 19th century saddletree factory, to grand homes.
The crown jewel of Madison historic sites is Lanier Mansion State Historic Site – open all year with guided tours. Beautiful formal gardens surround the mansion.
Dr. William Hutchings’ Office & Museum | Closed for Season
One of the most authentic 19th century medical history restorations in the US. Hundreds of Dr. Hutchings’ medical records, surgical tools, books and other artifacts including early electrical healing devices fill the office. Next door, in the museum, enjoy a sampling of the Hutchings’ family treasures. Owned and operated by Historic Madison, Inc.
2021 hours of operation are dependent on State and Federal health guidelines. Admission charged.
For current tour information contact: www.historicmadisoninc.com or hmi@historicmadisoninc.com
Or call 812-265-2697 weekdays.
For groups of 10 or more, museums are open year round. Minimum 2 week advance registration required.
Occasionally this site will not be open to the public during selected tour hours to accommodate pre-scheduled group tours. Please call ahead.
Address: 120 W. Third St.
Phone: 812-265-2967
www: www.historicmadisoninc.com
Francis Costigan House | Call for Tour Info
Photo by Bernie Kasper
Built by Francis Costigan, Madison’s most premier architect and master builder, for his family. This freshly restored Greek Revival townhouse displays grand 19th century styles designed to keep the eye moving in a structure that is an architectural masterpiece of proportions. Owned and operated by Historic Madison, Inc.
2021 hours of operation are dependent on State and Federal health guidelines. Admission charged.
For current tour information contact: www.historicmadisoninc.com or hmi@historicmadisoninc.com
Or call 812-265-2697 weekdays.
For groups of 10 or more, museums are open year round. Minimum 2 week advance registration required.
Occasionally this site will not be open to the public during selected tour hours to accommodate pre-scheduled group tours. Please call ahead.
Watch this news special here on the Costigan House.
Address: 408 W. Third St.
Phone: 812-265-2967
www: www.historicmadisoninc.com
Historic Eleutherian College
Photo by Don Cornett
Eleutherian College is a National Historic Landmark founded in 1848 by the Neil’s Creek Anti-Slavery Society. Today’s mission it to tell the stories of these courageous men & women. Inspired by their desire to serve God, they established the Eleutherian College based upon their values of education and freedom, regardless of race or gender. The three-story tall stone building, constructed between 1853 and 1856, is magnificent.
Tours and programs available by advance appointment only.
Admission: $5.00 suggested donation
Look for several FREE tour events typically 4th Saturday of summer months.
Watch the ‘History in Your Own Backyard‘ segment.
Address: 6927 West State Road 250, Lancaster IN (Minutes from Downtown Madison, IN 47250)
www: eleutherian-college.org/
History Center—Jefferson Co. Historical Society
New limited hours/days of operation: Call Experience Center for more information.
Masked are required, limited supply available.
$5 Per Adult, Children 16 and under are free.
Explore the rich history of the area, enjoy exhibits on civil war, steam boating and much more! Children’s Interactive Exhibit-general store and schoolroom. Museum shop, restored red caboose, and original Madison Railroad Station.
Address: 615 W. First St.
Phone: 812-265-2335
www: www.jchshc.org
Jeremiah Sullivan House | Call for Tour Info
Built in 1818 and considered Madison’s first mansion, this stately federal style structure was home to one of Madison’s most distinguished leaders. Sullivan and his family lived in the home for over 70 years. Owned and operated by Historic Madison, Inc.
2021 hours of operation are dependent on State and Federal health guidelines. Admission charged.
For current tour information contact: www.historicmadisoninc.com or hmi@historicmadisoninc.com
Or call 812-265-2697 weekdays.
For groups of 10 or more, museums are open year round. Minimum 2 week advance registration required.
The Sullivan House Side Garden, 304 West Second Street
Jeremiah Sullivan originally from Harrisonburg, VA, built this house in 1818 and it is considered Madison’s first mansion. Owned and operated by Historic Madison, Inc., the Sullivan House and side garden sits prominently on the corner of Second and Poplar displaying a fine portrayal of Federal style architecture. The garden is divided into three sections. On the south side of the central walk is the Virginia style parterre garden. It is a Pleasure Garden using boxwoods and flowers that were favorites in the late 18th and early 19th century. All of these plants were introduced to North America by Colonists prior to 1820. On the north side of the walk, a Native garden displays examples of Indiana aboriginal plants that Mrs. Sullivan might have collected from excursions into the woodlands and forests available in southern Indiana. She could have received prairie plants as gifts from acquaintances or friends, from the northwestern part of the state. Woodland and prairie plants were part of the existing Indiana ecosystems present in the early 19th century. In the rear of the house is an herb garden. It is placed close to the kitchen for convenience. These herbs are a small sample the most common cooking and medicinal herbs necessary for a household of the time period. During the last three years, HMI volunteers have worked tirelessly to rehabilitate the side garden. A Purdue Master Gardener created and tends this garden along with HMI volunteers. A native plant sale will be available on the side porch of the Sullivan House during the Madison in Bloom event. Proceeds from sales will help benefit on-going efforts and maintenance of this garden. Contact Historic Madison about renting this space.
Occasionally this site will not be open to the public during selected tour hours to accommodate pre-scheduled group tours. Please call ahead to confirm.
Address: 304 W. Second St.
Phone: 812-265-2967
www: www.historicmadisoninc.com
Lanier Mansion Historic Site | Open
Photo by Bernie Kasper
Features 1844 Greek Revival home of James F.D. Lanier (the “crown jewel” of Madison’s Historic District). A National Historic Landmark, beautiful home with great stories. Open year round. Gardens & grounds open dawn to dusk year round.
Lanier Mansion is OPEN Wednesday – Sunday. Tours at 10am, 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm. Click here for information regarding Indiana State Historic Sites.
Open Wednesday-Sunday 10am-5pm, year round, excluding some state holidays. Open on Monday Federal holidays.
Admission: adults $11.00; seniors $9.00; children $5.00.
Occasionally the mansion will not be open to the public during selected tour hours to accommodate pre-scheduled group tours. Please call ahead.
Address: 511 West First St.
Phone: 812-273-0556
www: www.indianamuseum.org/explore/lanier-mansion
Madison Railroad Station | Open Limited Days/Hours
New limited hours/days of operation: Call Experience Center for more information.
Masked are required, limited supply available.
Restored 1895 railroad station with impressive octagonal waiting room, explore exhibits, artifacts of the past and Madison’s railroad history. Don’t miss our restored red caboose!
Normal Admission: $4.00, children free, senior & military discount
$7.00 for both History Center and RR Station
Address: 615 West First St.
Phone: 812-265-2335
www: www.jchshc.org
Masonic Schofield House
The house, built circa 1815, is the first two-story brick inn & tavern in Madison. It is the birth place of the Indiana Grand Lodge of Freemasons in 1818.
Open Apr 15-Oct | Wed-Sat noon-4:00pm
Occasionally this site will not be open to the public during selected tour hours to accommodate pre-scheduled group tours. Please call ahead.
$5.00 couple $3.00 single students free and Masons no charge.
Address: 217 West Second St.
Schroeder Saddletree Factory Museum | Closed for Season
Visit America’s only restored 19th century saddletree factory. Tours, demonstrations, and exhibits show how the Schroeder family made saddle frames, clothespins and other products. Owned and operated by Historic Madison, Inc.
2021 hours of operation are dependent on State and Federal health guidelines. Admission charged.
For current tour information contact: www.historicmadisoninc.com or hmi@historicmadisoninc.com
Or call 812-265-2697 weekdays.
For groups of 10 or more, museums are open year round. Minimum 2 week advance registration required.
Occasionally this site will not be open to the public during selected tour hours to accommodate pre-scheduled group tours. Please call ahead.
Watch a news special on Saddletree here.
Address: 106 Milton St.
Phone: 812-265-2967
www: www.historicmadisoninc.com
Shrewsbury-Windle House Historic Site & Garden | By Appt Only
Photo by Bernie Kasper
Newly rehabilitated and award-winning. Built in 1846-1849 for Captain Charles L. Shrewsbury, his wife Ellen and their children. Designed by Francis Costigan Indiana’s most celebrated pre-Civil War architect and master builder. One of the most important historic homes in the US. Designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL) in 1994 by the US Secretary of the Interior – one of only 2,500 in the US. Owned and operated by Historic Madison, Inc.
Tours by reservation only. Call for availability. Admission $10 per person.
For tour information contact: hmi@historicmadisoninc.com or 812-265-2967 weekdays.
Address: 301 W. First St.
Email: hmi@historicmadisoninc.com
Phone: 812-265-2967
www: www.historicmadisoninc.com
St. Michael the Archangel
Built between 1838 and 1839, this simple Gothic Revival design house of worship is the second oldest building built as a Catholic church in Indiana. The construction material for the church is said to have come from the hillside above the site. Many of the builders were Irish immigrants. According to the Indiana State of Historic Preservation Office, it is the oldest Gothic style building in the state. Pointed arched windows are a design element of the Gothic style. Congregation members included local architect Francis Costigan and William Griffin, the Irish immigrant who completed the construction of the Madison and Indianapolis Railroad Incline.
The south part of the church is the oldest. In 1865, the church’s nave was extended 30 feet to the north. In order to do this without disruption to the church’s interior, much of the addition is below grade so that the stained-glass window high in the apse is just inches above grade on the exterior. The most prominent architectural detail of the church’s interior is its rare ogee-arch, or “open book,” ceiling. The Art Glass windows were installed in the late 1890’s, created with color and symbolism in mind. Owned and operated by Historic Madison, Inc.
Tours available by appointment only to groups of 10 or more.
2 week advance registration required. Donations Appreciated for all Tours.
Address: 519 East Third St.
Phone: 812-265-2967
www: www.historicmadisoninc.com
Talbot-Hyatt Pioneer Garden
The Talbott– Hyatt garden has been, and continues to be, under transformation. Generally, the Garden utilizes native flowers such as bloodroot, bluebells, larkspurs, and wild geraniums brought in from the woods. It also includes native trees such as ash, maple, redbud, and two enormous ‘Spicewood’ (Calylcanthus) bushes which, judging by their size, may have been brought by Talbott from Virginia. Open to the public from dawn till dusk. Owned and maintained by Historic Madison, Inc. (This garden is currently closed due to the renovation of the Talbott-Hyatt Home)
Email: hmi@historicmadisoninc.comPhone: 812-265-2967
www: www.historicmadisoninc.com
