Wylie House

Stepping back in time to the early 19th century, the Wylie House in Bloomington, Indiana, stands as a testament to the rich history and pioneering spirit of the region. This historic structure, built in 1835, was the home of Andrew Wylie, the first president of Indiana University, and has since been transformed into a fascinating museum that offers visitors a glimpse into the lives of its early inhabitants.

The Andrew Wylie Family Period (1835 - 1859)

Andrew Wylie, a distinguished academic from Pennsylvania, was invited to Bloomington in 1829 to lead the newly renamed Indiana College, which would later become Indiana University. In 1835, Wylie constructed the house on a 20-acre tract of land he had acquired near the college. The house, a two-story brick structure with a Flemish bond facade, is an elegant blend of Georgian and Federal architectural styles, reflecting the cultural influences of southwestern Pennsylvania, where Wylie originated.

The Wylie House was not just a residence but a bustling farmstead surrounded by numerous outbuildings. These included a smokehouse, double-pen barn, log chicken house, carriage house, and a two-story utility building. The Wylie family, consisting of Andrew, his wife Margaret, and their twelve children, undertook various activities such as butchering, smoking and salting meats, gathering wood, preserving foods, and laundering clothes, often without the aid of hired servants, who were scarce and unreliable in frontier towns like Bloomington during the 1830s and 1840s.

The Theophilus Adam Wylie Family Period (1859 - 1913)

In 1837, Andrew Wylie invited his half-cousin, Theophilus Adam Wylie, to join the faculty of Indiana College. Theophilus, a scholar of mathematics, natural philosophy, and chemistry, moved to Bloomington with his new bride, Rebecca Dennis, in 1838. Following the death of Andrew's widow, Theophilus purchased the house in 1859 and moved in with his large family.

During this period, Bloomington began to transition from a frontier settlement to a burgeoning college town. Theophilus and Rebecca's household often included extended family members, boarders, and servants. One notable servant was Lizzie Breckinridge, an African American woman who came to work and live with the family in 1856 at the age of thirteen and remained with them until her death in 1910.

Theophilus was a man of scientific curiosity and technological innovation. He experimented with photography soon after the invention of the daguerreotype process in 1839, and many of his photographs taken at the house survive today. He also used a telescope for celestial observations from the roof of the house and installed the first telephone in Indiana in 1876, connecting the house to a college laboratory.

The Wylie House Museum

After the death of Rebecca Wylie in 1913, the house changed hands several times. Dr. Amos Hershey, a professor of political science at Indiana University, purchased the house in 1915 and made significant changes, including modernizing the kitchen and bathrooms and adding a furnace. In 1947, Indiana University acquired the house, and major restorations were conducted between 1960 and 1965 to return it to its original configuration.

Today, the Wylie House operates as a historic house museum managed by Indiana University Libraries. The museum presents the house as it would have looked prior to 1860, with furnishings that include Wylie family heirlooms and period pieces. Visitors can explore the meticulously restored rooms and learn about the daily lives of the Wylie families through guided tours and educational programs.

The Wylie House Museum offers a unique opportunity to step back in time and experience the rich history of Bloomington and Indiana University. From the Georgian and Federal architectural details to the stories of scientific and technological advancements, the museum provides a fascinating glimpse into the past. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a fan of architecture, or simply curious about the early days of Indiana University, the Wylie House Museum is a must-visit destination that promises to enlighten and inspire.