lanier mansion tours

Historic Sites

An outdoor museum of architecture.

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.

Historic Houses & Museums

Nation’s largest contiguous historic landmark district.

Nestled in the rolling hills along the Ohio River Scenic Byway, Madison, Indiana, emerges as the nation’s largest Contiguous National Historic Landmark District with a jaw-dropping 133 historic blocks.  The heart of this timeless community is rooted in Downtown Madison’s Main Street. The captivating stately buildings and historic homes set the stage for the vibrant arts and entertainment experience. Virtually every decade and architectural style of the 19 th century is represented: Federal, Italianate, Greek & Gothic revival galore!

When viewing the multitude of magnificent mansions to humble shotgun cottages, it is apparent why Madison has been hailed as a true American treasure. Conveniently located between the metro areas of Cincinnati, Louisville, and Indianapolis, regional and national visitors alike delight in Madison’s diverse family, group, and pet friendly activities while also marveling at our unique historical built environment. Madison seeks to build on the foundations of our past to promote the promises of future memories yet to be made. We can’t wait to welcome you!

Dr. William Hutchings’ Office & Museum

Francis Costigan House

Jefferson Co. History & Art Center

Historic Eleutherian College

Jeremiah Sullivan House

Lanier Mansion State Historic Site

Madison Railroad Station

St. Michael the Archangel

Masonic Schofield House

Schroeder Saddletree Factory Museum

History center, home of jefferson county historical society established in 1850.

• Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays 10am-3pm 

Masked are required, limited supply available.

$5 Per Adult, Children 16 and under are free.

National Historic Landmarks

Some of the nation's finest landmarks are right here in madison.

Madison's Historic Downtown holds the designation as the nation's largest Contiguous National Historic Landmark District with a jaw-dropping 133 historic blocks. It's a mouthful to say, but an eyeful to experience!

If that weren't enough, Madison is also home to three National Historic Landmark sites as well. The Lanier Mansion and Shrewsbury-Windle Home were both designated as National Historic Landmarks in 1994, followed by the Historic Eleutherian College in 1997. These sites continue to be popular attractions in Jefferson County.

Shrewsbury-Windle House

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'No expense was spared.' Take a look inside this Greek Revival mansion built in the 1800s

James Franklin Doughty Lanier moved to Madison, Indiana in 1817. By 1844, his success in the banking and railroad industries allowed him to build the grandest residence in the area: a 13,500-square-foot mansion on West First Street.

"James Lanier was a banker in early Madison history," Lanier Mansion program director Devin Robinson told The Courier Journal. "(He) was very influential in the Indiana State Bank, which was a very successful bank (during a) time period (when few) banks were … successful. (He) was also a railroad financier, (and financed) a railroad that connects Madison to Indianapolis."

Unrivaled architecture

"The house was built in 1844 by an architect named Francis Costigan … for James Lanier," Robinson said. Though Lanier only lived in the home for seven years, his contributions to the Hoosier State continued long after he moved away.

"While James was living in New York," Robinson explained, "(he) was using his railroad company's resources to financially support the State of Indiana, help purchase equipment for soldiers, (and) pay off state debts. (He) also loaned the state more than $1 million over the course of the civil war to help support the union cause."

Lanier's temporary abode boasts Corinthian columns and sweeping views of the Ohio River. Inside, the home features 14-foot ceilings on the first floor and 12-foot ceilings on the second floor. Double parlors are set on one side of the hall on the first floor; the dining room and study on the other. In between, there sits what Robinson refers to as the most iconic feature of the house.

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"It’s this big, beautiful, spiral staircase," he exclaimed. "And if you stand at the center of the spiral staircase and look up, you can see all the way up, past the third floor and into the cupola of the mansion."

Intensive renovation

Though the mansion has been standing for nearly 180 years, it is far from run down. As Robinson explains, the home and its grounds were given a full refresh in the 1990s.

"When the house was restored, no expense was spared," he said. "They brought in the best people — the best conservationists."

Part of the restoration included bringing back the mansion's original paint colors, namely the iconic yellow ochre of the exterior. Though unusual to the modern eye, Robinson explains that it was a common house hue in the 1800s. He adds that in keeping the overall look as historic as possible, the paint application was carefully considered as well.

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"You’ll notice that the paint has streaks," Robinson said of the interior walls. "They had to figure out a way to get modern paint to streak like antique paint would have. (Those) streaks were achieved with a horsehair brush, (because) modern paint doesn’t streak like that. It’s (also) covered with a coat of shellac that helps protect it from the elements."

In the rooms that feature wallpaper, in-depth research was conducted to ensure the reproductions were accurate. The wallpaper in the dining room boasts an intricate French landscape design.

"(It’s) Zuber wallpaper," Robinson explained. "It was made using printing blocks from 1832. (It took) 387 blocks, (to be exact). They stamped layers of color on top of each other to create the pattern."

Family artifacts

Among the few pieces in the home that were owned by James or another Lanier is a marble statue in the parlor that one of his family members brought back from Italy, and a prayer book on a shelf in the study that belonged to James.

"When James was in his late twenties," Robinson explained, "he was working as a clerk for the Indiana State General Assembly. That book was given to him as a Christmas gift from his colleagues. … It's a prayer book, and it's always struck me as a very cool, interesting personal item that we have."

Though only a handful of items in the Lanier Mansion were owned by the Lanier family or James himself, all the furnishings and accessories in the house are period appropriate.

"Every piece in this house is from the time period of 1840 to 1850," Robinson said. "They really narrowed down that specific time and reproduced exactly what it looked like (in) the short time that James here lived here — and in doing so, they captured a really nice snapshot of luxury in a river town on the Ohio River."

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Know a house that would make a great Home of the Week? Email writer Lennie Omalza at [email protected] or Lifestyle Editor Kathryn Gregory at [email protected].

nuts & bolts

Owner : Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites

Home : This is a 5-bed, 1-bath, 13,500-square-foot, Greek Revival mansion in the Madison Historic District that was built in 1844.

Distinctive elements : Spiral staircase, Zuber French Landscape Wallpaper in the Dining Room, Portraits of the family in the Double Parlor, Pocket doors in the double parlor, cupola on top of the house, distinct yellow ocher color, Grecian columns on south façade.

The Lanier Mansion

WHAT : The Lanier Mansion is located at 601 W. First Street in the Madison Historic District of Madison, Indiana. Built by wealthy banker James F. D. Lanier in 1844, the house was declared a State Memorial in 1926. The architecture is Greek Revival and the home sits on 9 acres.

WHERE : 601 W. First St., Madison, Indiana

TOURS : Timed, indoor tours of Lanier Mansion are available Wednesday through Sunday at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Specialty tours must be booked in advance by 812-265-3526. Self-guided walking tours of the grounds are open all day. No photography, videography or use of paranormal equipment of any kind is permitted on tours.

COST : Standard adult admission is $11

MORE INFORMATION: For more information, visit indianamuseum.org/historic-sites/lanier-mansion/ .

Lanier Mansion Historic Site

Information

The Lanier Mansion Historic site is the 1844 Greek Revival home that belonged to James F.D. Lanier (the “crown jewel” of Madison’s Historic District). A National Historic Landmark , this beautiful home is filled with captivating stories that hold the secrets of this historic town.

Historic Madison, Inc. has worked since 1960 to preserve the unique history that has earned Madison its national reputation. HMI is the oldest, most trusted organization that is dedicated to historic preservation in the city. HMI has grown from its founding in 1960 by John T. Windle and a group of preservation-minded business leaders to save Jeremiah Sullivan’s 1820s house from demolition. Today, HMI is recognized as a leading local historic preservation organization in the United States.

In 1809, a flood of ambitious immigrants transformed a log cabin hamlet into one of the state’s leading cities: Madison, Indiana. These immigrants invested their wealth from real estate, banking, trade, farming, milling, and other industries in astounding, beautiful buildings. When the Civil War broke out, river trade dried up, setting back Madison more than 60 years of progress.

While the town slowly evolved after the Civil War, the town did not truly begin rehabilitation until the 1950s. By that time, Main Street business owners reconstructed storefronts, erasing beautiful architectural details like carved stone, metal window trim and decorative iron. Some even covered their properties over with aluminum or simply demolished buildings to create parking lots.

Another threat arose in 1960: A developer wanted to tear down the Jeremiah Sullivan House, a Federal-style landmark from the 1820s, to build a gas station.

John T. Windle, an antiquities dealer and community activist, teamed up with a group of local business people to raise funds to purchase the home at auction and prevent the demolition. Historic Madison was born.

What started with one house became a movement that revitalized the entire city and preserved its most important historical aspects.

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Tickets & prices Lanier Mansion - Indiana State Museum

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Lanier Mansion Preserves History and Heritage in America’s Heartland

Step back in time to the 1840s at Lanier Mansion, a time capsule of U.S. history and stories from the heart of America’s heartland in Madison, Indiana. The historic mansion is one of 12 locations within the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites system. Today, it serves as a modern-day look into history-in-the-making during the country’s westward expansion along the Ohio River during the early 1800s.

The Lanier Mansion is also known as the “crown jewel” of Madison’s Historic District, which spans 130 blocks and displays homes and historic buildings featuring 19th-century architecture. An afternoon at the mansion lets groups imagine what life might have been like for James F.D. Lanier and his family during the mid-1800s. The former home of the clerk of the Indiana General Assembly and prominent banker and businessman displays one of the country’s most impressive preservations of Greek Revival architecture.

The mansion was designed by Indiana-based architect Francis Costigan. Greek Revival features shine through its white Corinthian columns on the south portico, exterior Doric pilasters, ornamental-decorated windows and doors, decorative plaster moldings, and interior floor-to-ceiling columns.

Guided tours begin at the Lanier-Madison Visitor Center on the west side of the state historic site and explore the entire interior and exterior of the mansion grounds.

“Our tour covers all three floors of the beautifully restored mansion,” says Devin Robinson, program developer at Lanier Mansion. “Groups will get to see and experience the reproduction of wall coverings, carpeting, and furnishings from the time period as they walk through the house, as well as learn about the Lanier family, their history, and their contributions to the state of Indiana.”

Group tours must be scheduled in advance by phone, and all group tickets must be purchased in person. Special discount tickets are available for school and adult groups of 15 or more.

For more information, call 812-265-3526 or go to indianamuseum.org .

Main Image: Lanier Mansion; Credit: Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites

Article by Erica Zazo

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Lanier Mansion State Historic Site

Review Highlights

“ I'm not a history buff by any means, but I still thought this place was pretty cool. ” in 2 reviews

“ There is a basement to the home, and it is opened to the public during certain events mainly during Halloween. ” in 2 reviews

“ . Note that there are steps to get into the mansion and there is a basemen t and three levels to view, so if you have mobility issues, this may not be the tour for you ” in 2 reviews

Location & Hours

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601 W 1st St

Madison, IN 47250

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Highlight of our Madison trip. Beautiful house with very interesting historical significance.

If you visit only one historical site in Madison this is the one. This stately old mansion is the grand dame of all in this town. There are 3 floors so if you have mobility issues you may not want to go. That being said our guide who has been doing this tour for only 6 months did an excellent job explaining the history of the mansion and the history of the family that occupied it. The tour is on the hour I believe and it's $11 for adults and $9 for seniors and children. It's street parking but spots are easy to find. Tickets are sold across the street in the visitors center. Oh, the house faces the Ohio River which offers a great view.

Lanier Mansion on the Ohio River.

On a chilly December day, I was able to go on a private tour of the Lanier Mansion. So Cool! During the "off season", this is the only local mansion open to the public. After buying my ticket at the visitors' center next door ($11 for adults), I waited for the top of the hour and was led by the tour guide over to the mansion. Note that there are steps to get into the mansion and there is a basement and three levels to view, so if you have mobility issues, this may not be the tour for you. Local banker and businessman James F D Lanier was extremely successful in the early 1800's as our state was being formed. In fact, he was so wealthy that he loaned the state $400,000 to help equip the troops of the state to help fight in the Civil War. The tour fills in a lot more details about this man, his family (11 kids with 2 wives), and the purpose of each room as you go through. I won't say I know a lot about history or about antiques, but I do enjoy seeing all the beautifully maintained furniture, the fine architectural details, and learning about key figures in our history. This house is loaded with items and features that made me marvel. Well worth my admission fee. Review #3396

See all photos from Ken N. for Lanier Mansion State Historic Site

This was a very interesting tour of an interesting old mansion. The tour guide did an excellent job keeping the discussion informative and entertaining. The spiral staircase was very interesting. Learning the history of Madison Indiana and how the Lanier family played such a big part and not only the city but the state was fascinating. We had a good time. it was worth the money and we recommended it.

Gorgeous, Greek Revival mansion in downtown Madison. On a recent trip to this sweet town, we were lucky that the Lanier Mansion was open for tours as many of the other historic homes are only open seasonally. It was just the two of us in our morning tour of the house. Our guide took us through each of the rooms giving brief history of the man who commissioned the building, his importance in IN history, and background information on his family. Even though there aren't many of his original objects remaining, the artifacts in the house are period. The woodwork is spectacular - especially the doors, stairs, and crown moulding. The reproduction wallpaper and floor covering are also impressive. The state has taken good care of this landmark since making it a museum in 1925. The formal garden that faces the river was bare, since it is February. But, photos show that it's impressive when in bloom. I'll have to make another trip when the trees and flowers bloom.

See all photos from Leslie W. for Lanier Mansion State Historic Site

If you happen to find yourself in the sleep little town of Madison, IN, and you are looking for the chance to step back in time, the Lanier Mansion Museum allows you to do just that. Tours occur at the top of the hour, and tickets for the tour can be purchased at the Lanier-Madison Visitor center for $7 per adult. If you find yourself needing to kill some time prior to the tour, the visitor center has a small gift shop and an outside area where you can walk around and take photos if you wish. The Lanier Mansion is interesting that it is a Greek Revival home with striking features. The inside staircase is one of the Mansion's most memorable features. The house itself is pretty much all redone and not much of the pieces are necessarily original to the home. The structure of the overall house is interesting and the design is what I would like to call all for show. The lower level is grand and showy, especially the areas in which a guest might be entertained. As you go up in levels, the ceiling size actually shrinks. The lower level has extremely high ceilings, the second level has a little larger than average size ceiling height, and the third level ceiling is extremely low; especially if you are on the taller side. When the tour is over, you have time to wander around the outside grounds, which are especially gorgeous. The gardens in the back facing the river provide a peaceful and relaxing environment. The tour itself is about 45 minutes, but based on questions, it might go longer. The tour size also seems to vary and just depends on how many people show up and purchase tickets.

Visited this place while I detoured on my trip back to Cincinnati. Nice imformative tour about Lanier, he contributed alot to the town of Madison. I'm no history buff, but I really enjoyed learning about the history of his home. Very nice architecture (my fav part). My tour guide very kind and informative. Definitely a place to check out if you happen to be in town.

See all photos from Princess B. for Lanier Mansion State Historic Site

I'm not a history buff by any means, but I still thought this place was pretty cool. From the huge pillars outside to the 10+ft high doorways, there is something intriguing around every corner of this mansion. There are fake doorways, curved doorways, small doorways, and regular ol' doorways. Our tour guide was helpful and answered any questions that our group had. Keep in mind that there are three floors in this house. If you're not good with steps, you might want to skip it. Mr. Lanier was very important to Indiana's history. Go there and learn about him yourself!

See all photos from Erin B. for Lanier Mansion State Historic Site

Great tour! Our guide was very knowledgeable. The tour took an hour but felt like 10 minutes. We got to see just about every space in this beautiful, historic house. Very well restored and significant history.

I cannot believe there are so few reviews of this amazing mansion. Everything, with the exception of wall paper and carpet that are reproductions, is pre-1850. I was so excited to see the period china and silver. The forks were actually Lanier's and spoons and knives were recently located to complete the place settings. This is a beautifully restored and maintained piece of Indiana history. I'm sure the grounds are lovely in the summer. Our guide was very well informed and since we were the only two people on the tour, he answered my many, many questions. If you see nothing else of historical interest, do not miss the Lanier Mansion.

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Lanier Mansion State Historic Site - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Hoosier Haunts: Discovering Indiana’s Eerie Legends and Ghostly Tales

Do you ever find yourself curious about the eerie legends and ghostly tales of Indiana? Do you love to explore the haunted places near you? If so, you’ve come to the right place.

Discover haunted locations in the Hoosier State and uncover the truth about strange cattle mutilations, the Mad Gasser of Mattoon, and other eerie legends.

Join us as we explore Indiana’s haunted history and discover what secrets are lurking in the shadows.

Indiana’s Haunted History

Legends and ghostly tales from the Hoosier State have been passed down for generations, from ancient and troubling secrets in Southern Indiana to the haunting of a grandiose mansion in Madison, to the mysterious Ghost Train of Arcadia and cattle mutilations in Taylorsville. Let us explore these stories and unravel the mysteries surrounding them.

Southern Indiana Secrets

This region of Indiana is riddled with unbelievable tales of hauntings and supernatural creatures. From mysterious Black-Eyed Children to ghosts that loudly bang on doors, many of the terrifying hauntings and legends of Southern Indiana have kept locals and visitors alike on edge.

One of the most famous hauntings in the area is the Red Lady of Buffalo Trace, a spirit that is said to walk the grounds of the Buffalo Trace Distillery. People have reported seeing the spirit wearing a red dress and a red hat, and her presence is often accompanied by a feeling of dread or unease.

If you’re looking for haunted places near you, the small town of Leaven takes the cake as far as haunted locations near me. It’s said that Leaven is inhabited by numerous spirits, including a woman in a long dress who is often seen in the area of the old railroad bridge. Others have reported loud noises and mysterious fog in the area surrounding the bridge.

The Haunting of the Lanier Mansion

Located in Madison, Indiana, the Lanier Mansion is one of the most prominent haunted places in the state.

Today, the Lanier Mansion is open to the public to tour, but during its 158-year history, the mansion has spawned its own ghostly tale. Built in 1844, the mansion has been home to four generations of A.B. Lanier’s family.

Despite the Lanier family leaving the mansion in the 1950s, the many visitors who have experienced the paranormal can still feel their presence.

Visitors have reported sudden drops in temperature and other mysterious occurrences. If you’re interested in haunted places near you, the Lanier Mansion is definitely a must-see. With its haunted history and eerie atmosphere, it’s sure to be one of the most haunted locations near you.

The Ghost Train of Arcadia

Located near the town of Franklin, Indiana, the Ghost Train o Arcadia is one of the most well-known haunted places in the state. The legend tells the story of a freight train that derailed in the town in 1893, killing more than 30 people.

Since then, locals have reported strange sightings of a phantom train late at night, with lights that move along the tracks and screams emanating from the wreckage.

The story of the Ghost Train of Arcadia has become a popular stop on lists of haunted places near me and haunted locations near me.

Cattle Mutilations at Taylorsville

Located near Taylorsville, Indiana, this rural area has been the site of some strange phenomena that date back to the late 1940s.

Reports of animal mutilations, mysterious lights, and strange sounds have been documented in the area for years.

Witnesses have reported seeing lights in the woods, hearing strange sounds, and the mutilation of cattle. The mystery surrounding this haunted destination has been the source of numerous investigations, with no clear answers as to what is happening.

For those looking for haunted places near me, Taylorsville is a great option. It is one of the most haunted locations near me and an eerie tale that is sure to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.

Haunted Legends

Indiana is teeming with eerie and mysterious legends that evoke the state’s paranormal presence. From haunted cemeteries to abandoned hospitals to quaint towns rife with centuries of secrets, Indiana has plenty of spooky stories and haunted places to explore.

Search for ‘haunted places near me’ or ‘haunted locations near me’ to find a variety of haunted landmarks and trails throughout the state.

Many parts of Indiana have been shaped and impacted by the various hauntings and paranormal activities that have occurred in the area.

The Haunting of the Winchester Mansion

Located in LaPorte, Indiana, the Winchester Mansion is one of the spookiest places around. The mansion is said to be haunted by the spirits of the Winchester family, who tragically lost most of their members in accidents and suicides.

There have been numerous reports of paranormal activity in the mansion, such as lights turning off and on by themselves and screams coming from nowhere.

The Legend of the Leaning Tree

The Legend of the Leaning Tree is a favorite spooky tale amongst Indiana locals. It is whispered that deep in the forests of the state, there stands a single, solitary leaning tree.

Legend has it that if you approach this tree and whisper your deepest wish, it will grant it to you… no matter the cost.

While many of the locals are divided on the truth of this story, eerie sightings of an unnatural leaning tree have been reported at various haunted locations near me. Whether or not these sightings can be confirmed remains to be seen.

The Mad Gasser of Mattoon

The Mad Gasser of Mattoon is one of Indiana’s most mysterious urban legends. In 1944, the small town of Mattoon was gripped by fear as reports started coming in of an unknown assailant wielding a mysterious gas.

The gas had an uncomfortable smell and would cause intense burning sensations on the skin and eyes. For weeks, locals reported strange sightings, and residents feared that they could be attacked at any moment.

Although the Mad Gasser of Mattoon was never identified, and the gas was never traced, the tale remains a spooky local legend.

For those looking for haunted locations near me, the Mad Gasser of Mattoon provides a unique opportunity to explore the mysterious and spooky side of Indiana’s folklore.

The Demon Cat of Owen County

This haunted legend has been passed down through generations of locals in the small town of Spencer in Owen County.

According to the legend, the Demon Cat is a gigantic black feline entity with glowing eyes. It is said to appear in a cemetery near the town and vanish whenever someone comes near.

Those brave enough to venture out in search of the Demon Cat often find themselves in some of the most haunted places near them.

Sightings of the Demon Cat have intrigued and scared locals for centuries.

Ghostly Tales

Every state has its share of haunted places, and Indiana is no exception. Indiana has its own creepy stories of the supernatural. Whether you live in the state or are just passing through, plenty of ghostly tales exist to explore.

The Ghostly Goats of Jackson County

The legend of the ghostly goats has been around for decades, although no one is sure of the exact origin of the tale.

Many believe that the ghostly goats, which are said to haunt the forests of the area, are the spirits of fallen soldiers from the Civil War. Those visiting the area have reported unusual animal sounds, ghostly lights, and strange mists.

Those who are brave enough to venture out to Jackson County will find plenty of haunted places near them, offering a unique glimpse into Indiana’s paranormal history.

Whether venturing out alone or with a small group, visitors can explore the eerie forests of Jackson County in search of the ghostly goats and other haunted locations near them.

The Haunting of the Willard Library

Nestled in the heart of Evansville, Indiana, the Willard Library has been home to some eerie occurrences for over a century.

This richly decorated, two-story Victorian building is the city’s oldest library and one of its most haunted. A friendly, gray-dressed spirit is said to interact with visitors and staff, while other paranormal phenomena include strange knocking and rustling of ghostly hands lurking in the stacks.

While some of the Willard Library’s ghostly activity has sparked speculation of its supernatural history, no conclusive explanation has ever been reached.

To this day, locals and tourists continue to flock to the library to uncover the secrets and mysteries of this haunted location near me.

The Phantom Elevator of the City-County Building

The Phantom Elevator of the City-County Building is one of the many haunted locales in Indiana. This spooky tale is set in the City-County Building in Indianapolis, the capital city of the state of Indiana.

According to legend, the building is haunted by a phantom elevator that moves up and down the floors on its own.

Witnesses say that the elevator suddenly appears and then disappears, leaving an eerie chill in the air. Those brave enough to approach it find that it is a normal-looking elevator that is unresponsive to calls and buttons.

If you’re looking for haunted places near me or haunted locations near me, this is a great place to start your exploration into the paranormal.

The Ghostly Bride of the White River

Local folklore tells of a young bride who drowned in the White River in the late 1800s. To this day, visitors to the riverbank have reported hearing the voice of a woman singing and feeling an icy chill emanating from the area.

Those brave enough to look into the river have even claimed to have seen a white figure in bridal robes leaping into the water.

White River is a must-see destination if you’re looking for haunted places near you. Although the area is no longer known for its ghostly bride, it still remains one of the most haunted locations near me.

Indiana is home to multiple hauntings, legends, and ghostly tales from around the state. Each site has a unique past and story, making them all fascinating and worth visiting. If you’re looking for a few thrills and chills, be sure to add Indiana’s infamous Hoosier Haunts to your bucket list.

Whether you believe in the supernatural or not, Hoosier ghosts, legends, and hauntings are an amazing way to learn about the state’s past and experience our unique culture.

Visiting some of these eerie sites can be an unforgettable experience. Though you may not see any extraordinary happenings, the stories of these supernatural beings will surely add mystery to your trip.

So if you’re feeling brave, why not explore the strange, spooky, and unforgettable tales Indiana has to offer?

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The State Tretyakov Gallery

The State Tretyakov Gallery (usually being called Tretyakovka) is an art gallery in Moscow, specialized in Russian visual arts and it’s one of the world’s biggest collections. The Gallery is named after Pavel Mikhailovich Tretyakov, Moscow merchant and patron of arts, and it’s been bearing his name with proud and gratitude for over a hundred years. In 1856 Tretyakov started his collection by acquiring two works by Russian artists, "Skirmish with Finnish Smugglers" by V.G. Khudyakov and "The Temptation" by N. G. Schilder.

Gallery of European and American Art of the 19th-20th Centuries

Moscow City Center - Tour Duration: 1 hour

The Art Gallery is a section of the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts. It's rooms  contain the artworks by masters  of the 19th and 20th centuries:  Art of Romanticism, Realism, Academic and Salon Art, Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Symbolism, Avant-garde and artistic trends of the 19th century as well as the paintings of Ingres, Delacroix, Corot, Daumier, Courbet, Millet, Monet, Renoir, Cezanne, Gauguin, Van Gogh, Toulouse-Lautrec, Matisse, Picasso, Kandinsky, Chagall, Rodin, Maillol, Bourdelle and other masters of the 19th and 20th centuries.

About Me in Short

My name's Arthur Lookyanov, I'm a private tour guide, personal driver and photographer in Moscow, Russia. I work in my business and run my website Moscow-Driver.com from 2002. Read more about me and my services , check out testimonials of my former business and travel clients from all over the World, hit me up on Twitter or other social websites. I hope that you will like my photos as well.

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Boris Pasternak's museum house

Pasternak’s “important achievement both in contemporary lyrical poetry and in the field of the great Russian epic tradition" was honored with a Nobel Prize for Literature in 1958. For many readers outside Russia, Pasternak is known mainly as the author of the touching historical novel Doctor Zhivago written in 1957. The novel as a whole communicates the haphazard, uncertain and chaotic quality of life caused by the Russian Revolution and the heroic case of quiet humanism demonstrated by a single person.

Pasternak’s translations of Georgian poets favored by Joseph Stalin probably saved his life during the purges of the 1930’s. However, the individualistic Pasternak was not suited to the Soviet artistic climate when art was required to have a clear socialism-inspired agenda and so Russian publishers were unwilling to print Pasternak’s novel. In fact, Doctor Zhivago first appeared in Italy in 1957.

Pasternak won his Nobel Prize the following year. Despite Pasternak politely declining his Nobel Prize quoting: “because of the significance given to this award in the society to which I belong”, the award nevertheless spread his fame well beyond Russia. He ended his life in virtual exile in an artist's community in Peredelkino village. His last poems are devoted to love, to freedom and to reconciliation with God.

Pasternak was rehabilitated posthumously in 1987. In 1988, after being banned for three decades, "Doctor Zhivago" was published in the USSR. In 1989 Pasternak's son accepted his father's Nobel medal in Stockholm.

Pastenak loved his house in Peredelkino, the house and surrounding nature featuring in his poetry. The poet considered the cycle of poems "Peredelkino", which he completed in the spring of 1941, to be his best work. The poet spent the first difficult months of the war in Peredelkino; he completed the novel "Doctor Zhivago" here, wrote the Lara poems and translated Shakespeare and Goethe. It was in this house that he learned he was to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature on October 23rd 1958. He died here on May 30 1960.

The house in Peredelkino only acquired the status of a museum in 1990, thirty years after the poet's death and a century after his birth. The museum has fully preserved the environment and atmosphere of the house where Boris Pasternak lived and worked. The director of the museum is Elena Pasternak, grandaughter of Boris Pasternak.

Pasternak’s grave can be found in Peredelkino cemetery which is situated 20 minutes walk from the poet’s house.

Tour duration: 6-7 hours

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Owners of multimillion States before the revolution could afford everything-and monumental three-storey manor, and neo-Gothic mansions, and English castles. "Guide for you" tells in what houses lived the richest merchants and Industrialists of his time.

Demidov city estate Gorokhovskiy per., 4

Under Peter I, the Demidov dynasty became one of the richest in Russia: they founded several mining and weapons plants in the Urals and in Tula. At the end of the XVIII century Ivan Demidov built in the Basmanny quarter of Moscow city estate in the style of classicism.

The author of the project was the architect Matvey Kazakov. On the site of one-storey chambers, he built a monumental three-storey building with a solemn colonnade: Corinthian portico decorated with sculptural decoration. The interiors of the house looked impressive - especially the "Golden rooms" (Zolotye komnaty). In the main halls wooden carving of furniture, cornices were covered with gold-on the architect's drawings.

Subsequently, the estate has repeatedly changed its owners and rebuilt. In Soviet times it housed the Institute of geodesy, aerial photography and cartography engineers. Since 1993, the estate is the State University of geodesy and cartography.

Nikolay Vtorov's Mansion Spasopeskovskiy pereulok, 10

At the beginning of the XX century, the banker and entrepreneur Nikolai Vtorov was the richest man in Russia. Its state historians estimate at 60 million gold rubles (more than 60 billion in terms of modern money). In Moscow, commissioned by Vtorov architects Vladimir Adamovich and Vladimir Mayat built a large mansion in the neoclassical style. They designed a symmetrical building with a half-tone supporting the balcony. The interior of the house was designed by the artist Ignatius Nivinsky. After the revolution, the mansion was nationalized — it began to accommodate apartments and offices. Since 1933, the building is the residence of the us Ambassador, and the mansion is named "Spaso house".

Zinaida Morozova's Mansion 17 Spiridonovka street

The Morozov family was one of the richest merchant dynasties in Russia. They owned cotton fields, textile factories, chemical plants. Morozov owned numerous real estate in Moscow and Moscow region. One of the most famous mansions of the capital is the house of Zinaida Morozova, wife of Savva Morozov.

The estate was completed in 1898, the project was led by architect Fyodor Shekhtel. He built the estate in the neo-Gothic style with a tower with massive Windows. Facades he decorated quite succinctly-the main detail was a number of arched Windows. For interior decoration Shekhtel invited young Mikhail Vrubel. The artist painted three panels for the living room, created the stained glass window " Knight " and the sculpture"Robert and the nuns". With the advent of Soviet power in the mansion housed the food Committee, an orphanage. Today it is the home of receptions of the Ministry of foreign Affairs.

The House Of Peter Smirnova Tverskoy Boulevard, 18

In the XIX century, Russian businessman Peter Smirnov was nicknamed "vodka king" of Russia: he owned the " Partnership of a vodka factory, warehouses of wine, alcohol and Russian and foreign grape wines P. A. Smirnov in Moscow." When Emperor Alexander III tried Smirnov's products, he made it the only supplier of the court Of his Imperial Majesty.

His son and heir Peter Smirnov in 1900 acquired the estate on Tverskoy Boulevard. He commissioned the architect Fyodor Shekhtel to reconstruct the house. Externally, the architect gave the estate a chic modern style-designed glazed Bay Windows, added a balcony, changed the shape of the Windows. Inside, he created a Suite of rooms, designed in a variety of styles: classicism, Rococo, Egyptian, Greek and others. In the estate had electricity, ventilation and steam heating. In Soviet times, the mansion was the Revolutionary Tribunal, the people's court and the Prosecutor's office, today there is a Banquet hall.

City estate of Andrei Knop Kolpachny lane, 5

One of the richest people in Russia in the XIX century was Johann Ludwig Knop — entrepreneur, cotton merchant. He helped to open textile factories throughout the country: more than 200 enterprises were built under the direction of Knop. After the death of the businessman, his two sons inherited not only factories, but also the city estate. They shared it with each other. In one of the areas in 1900 by the architect Karl Treiman built for Andrew Knop town house in the Gothic revival style. Similar to the English castle, the building was decorated with a toothed turret, plucked endings and sculptural Baron's coats of arms of the Knop family. Inside the estate was also decorated in the style of English Gothic-the walls were decorated with collectible guns and tapestries.

After the revolution, the estate was nationalized, at different times there was a representative of the Ukrainian SSR, the reception of the Chairman of the State Commission for electrification of Russia Gleb Krzhizhanovsky and the Moscow Committee of the Komsomol organization. Today, the building houses commercial offices.

Kozma Soldatenkov's Estate Myasnitskaya street, 37

Kozma Soldatenkov went down in history as the owner of his own art gallery, bookseller and one of the largest benefactors: he donated more than 5 million rubles (for comparison — 50 rubles at the time you could buy a cow or a horse). Income brought him to a textile factory, inherited from his father.

In the 1850s, he acquired the estate built by Osip Bove and Afanasiy Grigoriev. Its reconstruction he commissioned the architect Alexander Rezanov. He expanded the wings and built the front lobby. The architect designed the interiors in different styles-Byzantine, Pompeian, Renaissance. In addition, the estate was arranged old believer chapel. There was also a picturesque collection and a library. When Soldatenkov mansion was one of the centers of cultural life in Moscow — it was visited by Vasily Klyuchevsky, Anton Chekhov, Sergei Solovyov and others. After the revolution, the estate housed a sanatorium, a kindergarten; during the war-the Headquarters of the Supreme command and the state defense Committee. Today, in one of the wings of the estate has a restaurant.

Nicholas Stakheev's Mansion Novaya Basmannaya street, 14

Nicholas Stakheev were the gold mining and merchant. In Moscow, he owned several apartment houses. It was he who built the apartment house on Myasnitskaya street-today in this building there is a bookstore "Biblio-Globus". Stakheev himself lived in a neo-Greek estate on Novaya Basmannaya street. The manor house for the merchant was built in 1899 by architect Mikhail Bugrovsky. In front of the monumental asymmetrical building was a garden and a fountain "Goddess of the night" (it works today). The interiors combined different styles: there were rooms in the Baroque, Rococo, Gothic, etc. After the revolution, the mansion housed a division of the Commissariat of Railways, and then the Central house of railway children.

Mansion Of Stepan Ryabushinsky 6 Malaya Nikitskaya street

In the middle of the XIX century the old believers of Kaluga founded a small textile factory. Over time, the number of factories increased, and Ryabushinskys were among the richest people in Russia. One of the most famous Moscow addresses of this name is the mansion of Stepan Ryabushinsky on Malaya Nikitskaya street, which became one of the main monuments of modernism in Moscow.

The mansion was built in 1903 by architect Fyodor Shekhtel. He designed a three-storey house. However, due to the Windows of different sizes, located on different levels, it looked on the one hand as a two — storey, and on the other-as a multi-storey. The facade of the building is decorated with a mosaic of irises. The interior of the house is designed in a marine style-the first floor is a wave-like staircase: its prototype was the staircase in the house of French actress Ivette Gilber.

In the hall hangs a chandelier in the form of jellyfish, and the door handles are cast in the form of seahorses. The main secret of the building was a secret old believers ' chapel, located in the attic. After the revolution, the mansion was nationalized. In Soviet times it belonged to the people's Commissariat of foreign Affairs, Psychoanalytic Institute and even kindergarten. Now the building is a Museum-apartment of Maxim Gorky: the writer lived here in 1931-1936.

Manor Prokhorov-Khludovs Podsosensky lane, 30

The Prokhorov family owned the oldest textile enterprise in Moscow — the trekhgornaya manufactory. It made them a huge profit. In 1860 Konstantin Prokhorov wife Praskovia Lugovoi (the heir of a merchant dynasty of Hladovych) moved to the house on Vorontsovo field. The building was built in the late XVIII century, and then restored after a fire in 1812. Externally solved in the classical style, inside it was decorated more diverse — in Moorish, Greek, and other styles. In 1997, the building was completely renovated, today it houses the offices of ROSENERGOBANK. Once a month in the mansion conducted tours.

Manor Krasilshchikov Mokhovaya street, 6

For 100 years the Krasilshchikov family has made its way from serfs to one of the richest Industrialists in Russia. They earned their capital in the textile industry. In 1906, Nikolai Krasilshchikov bought a large house on Mokhovaya street, which at different times was owned by princes Nikita Zotov, Fyodor Golitsyn and Peter Shakhovskaya.

The last reconstruction of the house was made in 1868 by the architect Alexander Kaminsky: he combined the main building with side wings and built a classic ionic portico. After the revolution Krasilschikov emigrated to France. The house housed a hostel, and later-the Institute of library science. Today the center of Oriental literature of the Russian state library is located in the estate.

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