Pictures From Gene Stratton-Porter's Special Home in Geneva, Indiana
The living room of the Limberlost. This postcard is copyright by
the Indiana State Museum Shop. It owns all rights.
The Limberlost is an Indiana State Historic Site, administered by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. There are only 16 of these historic sites in Indiana. The Porters built their home in 1895 after the birth of their only child, Jeanette.
The style is an unusual "Queen Anne Rustic," (in my humble
opinion, Arts and Crafts style,) on the outside. The rich frame
interior is late Victorian (in my humble opinion Arts and Crafts
style,). Much of the wood is quarter-sawn red oak paneling. The
timbers came from Wisconsin.
A
photo on the bio page shows the exterior of the house.
Photo copyright Indiana Museum Shop
The music room's lincrusta is beautifully restored, but this picture was made before the restoration. There is just no comparison.
I took this picture of the painstakingly restored lincrusta decorations around the top of the walls. I hope you can go see for yourselves. All these rooms are so much more gorgeous than the photos show.
The Limberlost Cabin has 14 rooms, many of them restored to their original detail by skilled artisans. Remember that this was a very visual lady. Her home reflects a fantastic attention to detail, yet is as warm and embracing as any you will ever see. Becky Smith is in costume, and the Friends Of The Limberlost, local knowledgeable enthusiasts, present events throughout the year, as well as welcoming you and showing you each room.
The "cabin" was obtained by the Limberlost Conservation Association of Geneva and donated to the state of Indian in 1947. Some kind people have donated pieces of the original Grand Rapids (Michigan) furniture back to the cabin. Some of the furniture was still in the home when it was donated to the state. Only one family had lived in it after the Porters sold it. It was sold because the swamp was drained, ruining it for nature study.
I am probably telling you too much about the site! Really, there is such a wealth of detail at the cabin, imparted in an enthralling way in a peaceful bucolic setting. I couldn't begin to spill all the secrets. Come visit my favorite house, the Limberlost Cabin.
Photo copyright Indiana Museum Shop
Here is the dining room before it was restored.
Photo copyright by Indiana Museum Shops. Here is Gene
Stratton-Porter's beloved conservatory, flooded with light for
painting. This room opens off the dining room. This room and the
gardens outside are painstakingly tended by the Geneva area herbal
group named An Herbal Affair. Contact them through the Limberlost
office.
The Friends of the Limberlost present, each December, Christmas at the Cabin. It's a Victorian Christmas Open House. Most of the foods served, prepared by Friends of the Limberlost, are mentioned in one or more Porter books. Santa comes to talk with the children.
Herb's Friends (a club for herb fanciers) and the Friends of the Limberlost present programs at the house. At this event, author Susan Wittig Albert spoke about her mystery series starring China Bayles, a feisty Texas woman who owns an herb shop. Some of her series titles are Rosemary Remembered, Hangman's Root, Witches' Bane and Thyme of Death. Susan writes a Victorian series with her husband Bill Albert. They have a beautiful website.
Photo by Sandra Weinhardt
Here, Susan Wittig Albert signs copies of her books for us. She is one of my main role models. This was another magical afternoon at the Limberlost Cabin. Whenever you are here, you definitely feel that Gene Stratton-Porter is present and approving.
Photo copyright Indiana Museum Shop
Here is the Porters' bedroom, at the back, on the
main floor of the house. At the foot of the bed, above the
fireplace, is Mrs. Porter's framed, extensive moth collection. I
can imagine waking up in this room, looking out this window into
the sanctuary of the yard, seeing the birds, flowers and
butterflies.
Escape Hatch
Here's a link to the
Index
of this Gene Stratton-Porter site.
Official State Historic Site Website
For the official word, go to the Indiana State Historic Sites website.
I'm Sandra Weinhardt, with no connection to the DNR, the State of Indiana Historic Site office or actually much of anything else. I can't answer any questions about anything. I plead ignorance! Please phone the Limberlost State Historic Site if you have questions. I do only one thing well, and that is bring information to you. Thanks for stopping in.
The Limberlost cabin in Geneva has email, limberlost368@embarqmail.com