The Bird Woman
An Introduction to Gene Stratton-Porter's Limberlost Swamp and Home in Geneva, Indiana
This Page's Contents
Hours and phone number
Note to Students
Gene Stratton-Porter
The Cabin at the Limberlost Swamp
Links Out
And on the
second
page about the cabin,
Friends of the Limberlost information,
Wetlands Dedication notice,
New list of upcoming activities, and
A bit about Gene Stratton-Porter books
Gene Stratton-Porter, World-Famous Naturalist
Gene (born Geneva) Stratton-Porter is one of Indiana's most famous female authors. Her life and intellect are fascinating. She was a prime example of an independent woman, an accomplished naturalist, a perfectionist extraordinaire and a born story-teller. Born near Wabash, Indiana in 1863, she lived until 1924. A streetcar accident claimed her life in Los Angeles at the height of her movie production career.
For a thorough biography of Gene Stratton-Porter, see her
daughter Jeanette Porter Meehan's book, The Lady of the
Limberlost, ©Doubleday-Doran Company.
Back to the page contents
The Cabin
This home 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 the home in 1895 after the birth of their only child, Jeannette. The white cedar logs used to construct the home came from Wisconsin. The architectural style is an unusual "Queen Anne Rustic," actually Arts and Crafts style. The interior is more indicative of the late Victorian period. Much of the interior paneling is quarter sawn red oak. The music room's lincrusta is beautifully restored.
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 the Curator, 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 Indiana 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 by 1913, the swamp was drained, so Mrs. Porter lost her outdoor laboratory and her Geneva area source of inspiration. There is a successful program underway among the local admirers to buy and re-flood the acres.
Seeking a less developed area, in 1913, the Porters built Wildflower Woods on 150 acres on Sylvan Lake in Rome City, Indiana. Mrs. Porter was recently re-interred at this site, having been previously buried in California. She was living there when she was killed because her chauffeur drove into the path of a trolley. She had moved to California to be near her daughter. Her daughter's husband was producing movies of her books!
Here is the house a few years ago, before it was painted and
landscaped. I'll post a newer postcard of the cabin! This doesn't
do it justice at all. This photo is copyright by the Indiana State
Museum Shop. It owns all rights.
Hours, Dates and phone
Limberlost State Historic Site
is one block east of U.S. 27 in Geneva Indiana in Adams County,
the county nearest the Ohio state line. The parking lot and house
are visible from that road. It is well marked, on the south side
of the little town. Now you can email the staff at the Limberlost!
Just write to
limberlost368@embarqmail.com
Hours are April 1 through late December, Wednesday through
Saturday, 9 AM to 5 PM Indiana time, and Sunday 1 PM to 5 PM, EST.
daylight savings time. CLOSED MONDAYS and TUESDAYS.
The site is semi-closed late December through March. Call or email if you need to bring a tour or school group here during these "closed" 3 months. The response may be slow in coming, since the curator is not at his desk continuously.
To call ahead or to arrange larger group tours, dial
260-368-7428. The mailing address is Box 356, Geneva, Indiana
46740.
Fax 260-368-7007
Remember, the cabin's closed on most
Mondays and Tuesdays.
Back to the page contents
A Note to Students
Some of these pages have a
great deal of material to help you with you writing projects.
You may be able to rent a video of one of her books, but I don't
know for sure. And if you can persuade your teacher to do a field
trip, the Limberlost is a great place to visit. Maybe you have a
relative who loved these books, and that friend could bring you.
The rest of this page has been subdivided.
No wetlands were drained in the subdividing.
The wealth of information about the Limberlost Swamp has been
moved to the section on the
Loblolly Marsh Wetlands Preserve dedication. Loblolly
was the Native American name for what the settlers called the
Limberlost. Also note that what the settlers referred to as
"swamp" was what we today term a marsh.
Official State Historic (Web)Site
The Indiana State Historic Sites website is the official word on all Indiana State Historic Sites. This is an unofficial website set up by Friends of the Limberlost.
CREDITS
The great telephoto bird pictures are borrowed from the superb
birding website of Ron Rothman.
Be sure to visit his newest site, 2005.
The goldfinch facing left should be credited to
Michael H.
Myers who is kind to share it with us.
Links Out