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About the Wylie House Museum

Built in 1835, Wylie House was the home of Indiana University's first president, Andrew Wylie, and his family. Today Wylie House is owned and operated by Indiana University as an historic house museum recreating the Wylie home prior to 1860.

The house is distinctive and unusual for south-central Indiana, a blend of Federal and Georgian styles of architecture more characteristic of southwest Pennsylvania, where Wylie was born and raised. It is one of the few pre-1840 structures remaining in Bloomington.

Wylie House contains an outstanding collection of early to mid-19th century American furnishings, including many Wylie family artifacts. A large collection of Wylie family letters and personal papers are housed in University Archives.

The mission of the museum is to preserve and study the house, artifacts and documents and through them to interpret for the public our local history and domestic heritage as it is embodied by the early Wylie home.

The interpretation is meant to engage the visitor in an experience of history which is stimulating, thoughtful, and enjoyable; which is factually accurate and respectful of the period and people we interpret; and which excites an interest in and appreciation of domestic history, the heritage of Indiana University and Bloomington, and the visitor's own personal history.

The programs at Wylie House include many volunteer opportunities, such as guiding tours, quilting, heirloom gardening, and seedsaving.