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Oldfields-Lilly House and Gardens

Oldfields-Lilly House and Gardens, Indianapolis: Hours, Address, Oldfields-Lilly House and Gardens Reviews: 4.5/5

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Oldfields-Lilly House and Gardens

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Oldfields-Lilly House and Gardens
4.5
143
#29 of 166 things to do in Indianapolis
History Museums
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Tuesday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
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4.5
143 reviews
Excellent
90
Very good
39
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0
Taylor B
Chicago, IL7,645 contributions
A rare example of a surviving American Country Place Era estate
May 2022
Oldfields, also known as Lilly House and Gardens, is a 26-acre historic estate and house museum on the Newfields campus, a 152-acre property that also houses the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the Beer Garden, the Garden of Newfields and the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art and Nature Park. Located at the corner of North Michigan Road and West 38th Street, three miles north of downtown Indianapolis, it is a rare example of a surviving American Country Place Era estate with its elaborate gardens and grounds. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 2003, it has been described as a Gesamtkunstwerk, a unified work of art that combines the arts of landscape design, gardening, architecture, interior design and decorative arts. Built between 1910 and 1913 by architect Lewis Ketcham Davis for the family of Hugh McKennan Landon, who occupied the house from 1913 to 1932 when it was sold to J.K. Lilly Jr., who renovated and expanded the estate throughout the 1930s and 1940s. The 22-room mansion has undergone historic restoration and currently reflects the 1930s era when the Lilly family occupied the residence. The property, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000, includes 10 buildings. But the house attracts most attention. Today, it features eight furnished rooms on the main level, including the stair hall, great hall, game room, library, drawing room, loggia, dining room and kitchen. Nearly 90 percent of the furnishings and objects are original to the house.
Written 25 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jurgen B
Brussels, Belgium2,628 contributions
Nice house
Dec 2021
The house is smaller than it seems and you can only see the first floor. No look to bedrooms or bathrooms, and that is bad. Moreover, they stupidly removed all the furniture to put tacky christmas decoration so you don't have an idea of how the house normally looks.
Written 5 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
MK1861
Westfield, IN284 contributions
Holiday lights
Dec 2021
Actually Newfields and we did the Holiday lights for the fourth year. Well done and Lilly House was beautifully decorated. Well worth the price
Written 1 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Andrea D
New Albany, Indiana, United States8 contributions
Why are they charging?
May 2020
I would be remiss if I didn't leave a five star rating for this place. Its absolutely beautiful and the gardens are wonderful! However, this used to be free. I was shocked when I learned they are now charging admission fees to view the art museum and Oldfields. Paying the fee is not the problem, we would always donate to both the art museum and Oldfields when we visited Indianapolis on occasion, its just sad that they would take that away from people who might not be able to afford the cost. Shame on you.
Written 17 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Gwen W
Murfreesboro, TN1,757 contributions
Beautiful day spent seeing this
Sep 2020 • Couples
It was a beautiful day to wander the grounds da to see all of the gardens and landscaping surrounding the Lilly House. We love seeing old houses and this was no exception. We had a great tour guide that was very detailed in each room. We also ate at the Beer Garden and the food was excellent. We truly enjoyed our day there!
Written 6 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
L L
Indianapolis, IN294 contributions
Beautiful
Dec 2019
We went here when we were viewing the Christmas lights in the grounds. The house was decorate with paper chains, paper ornaments, etc. Beautiful!!

We used to take our 3 girls to the grounds around the house on a regular basis. They loved running around the grounds and we had picnics in the grass around the Lilly pond. Highly recommend!!
Written 26 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Taylor B
Chicago, IL7,645 contributions
Reflecting what life was like in the 1930s
Jan 2020
My wife and I love to visit old homes, especially antebellum mansions in the Old South. So we were pleasantly surprised to discover Oldfields, better known today as the Lilly House and Gardens, in Indianapolis. Located at 4000 Michigan Road in the Newfields campus, adjacent to the Indianapolis Museum of Art and the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art and Nature Park, it is a 26-acre historic estate and house museum, an extraordinary example of the American country house movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Built between 1909 and 1913 by architect Lewis Ketcham Davis for the family of Hugh McKennan Landon, it was sold in 1932 to Josiah K. Lilly Jr., the late Indianapolis businessman, collector and philanthropist, who renovated and expanded the estate throughout the 1930s and 1940s. Today, the 22-room mansion is open to the public. It reflects the 1930s era when the Lilly family occupied the house. It includes a service wing, pavilions on the east and west sides with access to balconies from the second floor and a large terrace atop a garage and service area. Today, the house features eight furnished historic rooms on the main level, including the stair hall, great hall, game room, library, drawing room, loggia, dining room and kitchen. Nearly 90 percent of the furnishings and objects are original to the house and were used by the Lilly family. The upper level features historical and interactive exhibits detailing the American Country Place era, the development of a country estate and Indianapolis in the early 20th century. It also includes a sampling of Lilly's collections of books, gold coins, military miniatures and nautical items. The gardens and grounds, which featured a tennis court and greenhouse, are rare examples of a preserved estate landscape designed by Percival Gallagher. The estate was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 2003.
Written 15 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Andy W.
9 contributions
Neat old estate!
Dec 2019
We come here to walk around multiple times a year with the kids. The house is neat to walk around in and the garden is beautiful.
Written 16 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Darrell M
3 contributions
Lovely!
Mar 2019
Very nicely preserved and a lot more access than at some historical sites. Great family history. Nice decorations change throughout the year. Christmas is really special!
Written 9 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Lanie
Indiana83 contributions
Worth visiting if you're at the Indy Art Museum!
Aug 2019 • Family
The mansion is right behind the Indy art museum. It is beautiful on the inside and gives you a glimpse of life in the 1930s.
Written 2 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Oldfields-Lilly House and Gardens
Oldfields-Lilly House and Gardens is open:
  • Sun - Sun 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Tue - Wed 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Thu - Thu 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
  • Fri - Sat 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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