Indiana University’s first president was Andrew Wylie, a teacher of philosophy and low. When he began at the new Indiana college, there were 40 students, and today the campus hosts an enrollment of more than 40,000. The impact Wylie made at Indiana University helped to shape what this Big Ten school has become. Wylie helped pave the way for education in Indiana for generations. The Wylie House Museum now sits at his former home, which was built for the family in 1835.
The Wylie House is one of the oldest structures still standing in Bloomington, Indiana. Visitors to the museum are often surprised to learn that the home is not located on campus. That’s because it’s a little known fact that the original Indiana University campus was located a few blocks from its current spot. This Indiana Museum is found on Second Street near College Avenue, a short walk from campus.
In the mid-1800s, Andrew Wylie and his wife Margaret moved to southern Indiana with their 10 children (and eventually two more little ones). Wylie was offered the presidential position by the Board of Trustees because of his success at Jefferson and Washinton Colleges. Under his guidance, the college was officially made a university in 1838. In 1842, Wylie started the law department at Indiana University, and it became the school of Law in 1889. Wylie died at his home in 1851 while he was still acting president.
The Wylie House stayed in the family for several decades and changed ownership only once before the property was bought by the university. It was then restored and became the Wylie House Museum, a branch of the IU Libraries department.
The Wylie House was restored to be as authentic as possible. The hand-forged iron works, hand-tooled shutters and lumber from old houses all help the Wylie House Museum to look as it did in the mid-1800s. This Indiana attraction doesn’t even use electricity. The roof of the Wylie House Museum has a captain’s walk, where Andrew Wylie could look over the campus. the double porch in front of the home is another gorgeous feature of this Indiana real estate gem.
Visitors to the Wylie House Museum can browe through some of the historic artifacts and family heirlooms acquired by the museum. The rose buses and grape vines outside the home are though to be dated back to the Civil War. If you’re looking for an educational getaway that the whole family will enjoy, take a day trip from Indianapolis and visit the Wylie House Museum.
While you’re south of Indianapolis, be sure to check out nearby day trip destinations, like Grouseland in Vincennes, Brown County State Park in Nashville, Mallow Run Winery in Bargersville, the Academy of Hoosier Heritage in Mooresville of the Grave in the Middle of the Road in Amity. Other popular attractions in southern Indiana, include the Atterbury Fish and Wildlife Area in Edinburgh. The Indiana University Art Museum in Bloomington and Hoosier National Forest in Bedford. Be sure to plan ahead for your next day trip from the Circle City and explore all the Hoosier State has to offer.