James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home

Finally got around to check this out during a free open house in the fall. The interior has mostly beautiful features and decor. The workers are usually all volunteers, so while they might know every question you ask, they're still very helpful and passionate about JWR's work. They have random events in the lawn during warmer months and host special private events, if I'm not mistaken.

I knew very little about James Whitcomb Riley until my elementary-school-aged child began learning about this Hoosier poet in school. Then I learned that Riley had a house in Indy that was also a museum. Then I learned that Riley was also considered a (I mean, THE) "children's poet" because he wrote poems for kids. Then I learned that Riley was also "that" Riley, of Riley Children's Hospital. Basically, James Whitcomb Riley is an established pillar of Indianapolis. He also has a museum that you can tour!I visited the James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home as a chaperone on a school field trip. If you're not a part of a school field trip, though, I believe you need to make an appointment to visit the museum. I don't think it has regular hours. There are tour guides who lead you through the home and talk all about it. The walk-through of the house took us a little over 30 minutes.The museum home is beautiful. If you like old artifacts (like me), then you'll have lots of things to gaze upon and take photos of. You really get a feel for who Riley was, and his impact on society.It's kind of crazy to me that that the home of this renowned poet is located right in Indianapolis' Lockerbie Square, on a street with houses full of families and individuals, so nondescript and unassuming. But that's also what makes it cool. It's accessible to the people, which is probably just what Riley would have wanted.

I recently went to James Whitcomb Riley Museum to read with Silent Book Club Indy and it was really cool! There is parking reserved for the museum that is easily accessible from the road. The lawn is picturesque and there are a few benches on the perimeter of the lawn.

If you are into Indiana and/or Victorian history, architecture, literature or just like old stuff, this is the place for you. Gotta love the cobblestone road leading here. Just be the entrance is a big solid platform in the ground to help you exit your carriage without getting your feet dirty. You can also tie your horse at one of the many horse stakes. For the rest of us, there is a small parking lot to the west of the building reserved for visitors. The grounds are immaculately kept. And in itself something to look at. The tours start out in the new visitor center, which is really nice and spacious. I believe you can even rent this for special events. After a short video about Riley's life, you are led into the house itself. So many things to see even in the entry way. The guide did a fabulous job in explaining things, pointing out oddities, answering the many questions we had, not only about the house and its contents, but also about Riley's life. Many original items have been preserved here. Too many to mention. You just have to come see for yourself. It is truly one of the most interesting historic sites in Indy and I have learned a lot from this tour.

This is quite the under-the-radar gem. Not being a native Hoosier, I knew little about Indiana's Poet Laureate. A visit to his home changed that. Part snapshot of Victorian life/part literary journey, I highly recommend a trip here, regardless of your age. There are numerous original, signed artifacts throughout. Also, having a conversation with the man himself was quite an experience for my 8-year-old.

The James Whitcomb Riley home is beautifully preserved home on the historic Lockerbie street. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable on the history of the home, era, and James Whitcomb himself. The home emersed us back into the early 1900s in design, originality, and artifacts. We will definitely be returning for more events this summer!

Really nice museum! We grew up in Hancock County so we knew a lot about Riley since that is where he grew up. Even with that we learned a lot today about him that we had not heard before. Our docent was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. The home itself had original furnishings that were there when Riley stayed there. The really interesting thing about the house was all of the features that it had that were original to the house from that time period. One of the most interesting things was a built in shoe drawer that was built into the woodwork. Whoever designed this house thought of every convenience that was available at the time. A definite must see for anyone who appreciates history.

We held a wedding vow renewal for friends here at the Riley home. The staff was professional and courteous, the site was beautiful-immaculately kept. Thank you for a wonderful location to host our special event!

Nestled in the Lockerbie neighborhood stands a special historic house. Not only is it the house that beloved Hoosier poet James Whitcomb Riley lived in during the last 23 years of his life, but also it is the only late-Victorian preservation in the United States. The James Whitcomb Riley Museum home was originally built in 1872 by baker John Nickum, who passed the house down to his daughter Magdalena in 1893. She was a close friend of Riley and recognized his immense talent, hence why her intention was to make the house a tribute to him. After her and Riley's death in 1916, the house was shut down and passed to the James Whitcomb Riley Memorial Association five years later. Since 1922 the house has been dedicated as a museum.Outside of the kitchen (The room used to be the former caretaker's residence - now it has restored pieces that one would have found in a typical house during that time period.) the house is preserved as it was in the early 1900s. Each room is decked out with pieces that you've only seen on an episode of Downton Abbey. The furniture is ornate; the designs on the walls and ceilings are exquisite. Words can't do the home justice - you've got to come see it for yourself!45-minute tours are offered at the home Tuesday-Saturday from 10:00-3:30. The guides are knowledgeable about the home and would love to give you a tour. I highly recommend the time hop!

What a piece of history, it's really a learning experience!!when living in Lockerbie many years ago, it was a monthly visit for my daughter & iit's like going back in a time machine& it only costs a few bucks