The Wylie House

In 1835 Andrew Wylie built the Wylie house in Bloomington, IN on a top of a hill looking over Indiana University. Before he built the house, it had a farm with chickens, smokehouse, and a carriage house. When people lived in it, there was no railroad to get food, so the family grew their own food on their lawn. When  living in the house, people moved in over the years, like Theophilus, a cousin of Andrew Wylie. 

Theophilus went to IU at the time. He was living there during 1859-1913. Theophilus was a bit of a “city boy”, not a farmer. Luckily, by the time he moved in, Bloomington had gotten a railroad, so he didn't need to be a farmer at the Wylie House anymore. Also, when Bloomington added a railroad it was no longer necessary to make the family farm anymore . Shortly after, Dr Amos Hershey moved in. Hershey was an antique collector, and made some new additions to the house. Hershey's wife moved in and lived there until 1951. 

After Andrew Wylie passed in 1862, 85 years later the house was eventually bought by Indiana University. IU started to renovate the house and turn it into a historic place to go visit with family. IUs goal was to make the Wylie House, look like it was in the 1800s and stuck in time. Now the house is a historic part of Bloomington and is still open today!

ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY

Aside from all the history that the Wyllie House has, it is also a big part of the Bloomington community as a fully operational museum open to the public. Inside of the Wylie House you may see some personal artifacts like family portraits and children's toys. They have over 5,000 Wylie family letters. Some of the Wylie family letters are love letters from Andrew Wylie to his wife, Margaret Ritchie Wylie.There are letters from Elizabeth Bishop who is the famous poet, who was friends with one of Theophilus Wylie's granddaughters.

Another thing you might see inside and outside of the building is an heirloom seed garden growing pre-1875 flowers, herbs, and vegetables. 

When planning a trip to the Wyllie House, keep in mind that they have free admission but, you should also take into consideration the hours that they are open. The tours operate on the days from Friday-Saturday 10am-4pm. 

As well as all the tours they provide, they also work with many of Indiana University's other units. They also collaborate with organizations like the Lilly Library, the Jacob School of Music and many others. The Wylie House has many important photos and documents that they keep in Lilly Library's online databases to archive the important historical objects. Working along the Lilly Library and University Archives, they also provide information to use in IU students' studies. 

The Jacob School of Music has students that come and perform musical pieces that they enjoy. As a part of their Parlor Concert Series. The Wylie House had this Parlor Concert Series to make the visitors of the museum mimic the feel of homes in the old days, because back in the day they used to play music in the parlor of the house. 

They also work with some similar museums like the Monroe County History Center. IU Fine Arts classes are also in collaboration with the Wylie House to come and look at the antique textiles and their art collection to learn about that time.