The Reitz Home Museum

09/03/2026

☕✨ Come for the tea. Stay for the history.

Imagine spending an afternoon surrounded by the beauty and elegance of one of Evansville’s most remarkable historic homes.

The Reitz Home Museum’s Tea & Tour experience combines Victorian-inspired hospitality with the chance to explore the stories, architecture, furnishings, and history that make the Reitz Home so special.

Guests will enjoy a beautifully presented selection of teas, lemonades, and local delectables, followed by a guided tour of the mansion led by one of our knowledgeable docents.

Whether you’re planning an outing for a garden club, historical society, organization, group of friends, corporate gathering, or visiting tour group, Tea & Tour offers a memorable way to spend time together while experiencing a little Victorian elegance.

Advance reservations are required, and availability is limited. We would love to help you plan a Tea & Tour experience for your group.

📧 Interested in learning more? Contact Diane at [email protected]
🌐 reitzhome.com

09/02/2026

🍷 WINE DOWN TO THE WEEKEND UPDATE‼️

Due to the extreme heat expected tomorrow, September 3rd, our Wine Down to the Weekend has been rescheduled. ☀️🌡️

📅 New Date: Thursday, October 8th
⏰ 5:00–7:00 PM
🎶 Featuring Gina Moore, Dave Matthews & Bob Green
🍷 Wine & beer available for purchase
🤝Sponsored by Andrew Herbertz & Tim Black

We want everyone to be able to enjoy the evening comfortably and safely, so we hope you’ll join us on October 8th instead! 🍁🍷🎶

Mark your calendars and come Wine Down with us! 🍷

Thank you for understanding! 🧡

09/01/2026

The Reitz Home Museum is pleased to welcome historian Randy Mills as our next featured presenter. Randy will present "A Christian Duty: A Tragic Tale of the Southwest Indiana Underground Railroad," sharing a powerful and compelling story from our region’s past.

After the Fugitive Slave Law Act of 1850, southern Indiana was full of slave catchers. The law forced citizens, even those in free states, to help capture and return runaway slaves to their owners. As a result of these occurrences, underground railroad activity exploded.

This particular southwest Indiana underground railroad story has an amazing cast of characters who play out their often-dangerous roles on both a national and a local stage. The players include prominent black newspaper owner, William Still, of Philadelphia, and his courageous brother, Peter; the famous Hoosier anti-slave leader, Levi Coffin; derring-do abolitionist Seth Conklin from New York; and an Alabama slave owner named Bernard McKiernan. Locally, another derring-do character, Evansville’s Marshall and later county Sheriff, John Smith Gavitt, takes a more sinister role in the story. Finally, there was the very low-keyed Princeton, Indiana farmer, David Stormont, a strict Presbyterian covenanter who was a fearless stationmaster on the Underground Railroad.

Fate brings these people together in a thrilling and sad story that will be shared by historian Randy Mills in a fascinating evening at the Reitz House on September 16, at 6 p. m

Save the Date:
📅 September 16
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Reitz Home Museum

08/31/2026

We were excited to welcome guests traveling with American Cruise Lines to the Reitz Home Museum today!

As part of their visit to Evansville, guests enjoyed a special tea time at the Reitz Home, followed by a guided tour through our historic Victorian mansion. It was a wonderful opportunity to showcase not only the beauty and history of the Reitz Home, but also the unique experiences our city has to offer visitors from across the country.

We are proud to be part of what makes Evansville and Henderson a memorable destination and always enjoy sharing the story of the Reitz family and our community with new audiences.

Thank you to American Cruise Lines and their guests for making the Reitz Home Museum part of your journey!

08/27/2026

The Reitz Home Wine Downs are made possible through the generosity of our wonderful community sponsors!

We are incredibly grateful to Andrew Herbertz and Tim Black sponsors of Gina Moore, Dave Matthews & Bob Green, and to Tim & Becky Robards, sponsors of Happy New Month. Your generosity helps us bring these special evenings to our community.

Our Wine Downs offer an evening of live music, local art, and fellowship on the beautiful grounds of the Reitz Home Museum—all with FREE admission. Open to all ages!

To help us continue offering these free Wine Down evenings and showcasing talented local artists, we welcome additional sponsorships from individuals, families, and local businesses.
Become a Wine Down Sponsor!

Your support helps keep the music playing, the art on display, and these wonderful evenings free for our community.

Interested in sponsoring an upcoming Wine Down? Please contact the Reitz Home Museum for sponsorship opportunities.
Support local history. Support local music. Support local art.

08/25/2026

We are looking forward to having Sr. Rebecca Abel on Saturday, August 29th! Her presentation shares insight into what the Reitz Home was like when it was "The Bishop's House." This presentation is free and open to the public.

This presentation is made possible from funding from Indiana Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

On Saturday, August 29, Sister Rebecca Abel will be presenting at the Reitz Home Museum. Last year she spoke to a packed house — standing room only! So be sure to RSVP and come listen to her presentation on The Bishop’s House, 1944 - 1972.

Saturday, August 29 | 3:00 p.m. Central Time
112 Chestnut St, Evansville, IN 47713
812-426-1871 or [email protected] to RSVP

08/25/2026

Great music, wonderful art, a glass of wine, and one of Evansville's beautiful historic homes-what more could you ask for? FREE!

08/24/2026

Tea & Tour at the Reitz Home Museum
Experience Victorian Elegance in the Heart of Evansville
Join us for an exquisite experience where history meets hospitality, immerse yourself in the
authentic Victorian splendor of Indiana’s finest historic home.
The Experience
● The Victorian Tea: Enjoy an elegant selection of teas and lemonades as wel as artisanal
pastries served in a stunning historic setting.
● The Guided Tour: Explore the breathtaking architecture, original period furnishings, and
the rich history of the Reitz family guided by our expert docents.
Event Details
● Location: Reitz Home Museum | Evansvile, Indiana
● Perfect For: Garden clubs, historical societies, corporate outings, and private group
gatherings.
● Availability: Advanced reservations are required. Custom packages are available for
private groups and shore excursions.

Plan Your Visit
Space is strictly limited to ensure an intimate and authentic experience.

For booking inquiries and reservations:
Email: [email protected]
Website: reitzhome.com
Preserving History, Sharing Elegance.

08/24/2026

We are delighted to feature local artist Linda Volz at our September 3rd Wine Down.

Linda recently earned Second Place at the Paducah Plein Air Event, sponsored by the Yeiser Art Center. Her beautiful work captures the character and charm of the places and subjects that inspire her.

Join us from 5:00-7:00 pm for an evening of wonderful art, live music, wine, and the beautiful surroundings of the Reitz Home Museum. Admission is FREE!

08/16/2026

🍂Fall Wine Down to the Weekend is almost here! 🍷
We are less than one month away from kicking off our Fall 2026 series at the Reitz Home Museum!
Join us Thursday evenings from 5–7 PM for:
🎵 Live music
🍷 Wine & beer available for purchase
🍿 Snacks available for purchase in the Gift Shop
🎨 Local artists showcasing and selling their works in the Carriage House
🍁 A fun way to welcome the fall season
We still have sponsorship opportunities available! If you or your business are interested in sponsoring a Wine Down to the Weekend event, please contact us:
📞 812-426-1871
📧 [email protected]
Come join us, bring your friends, and Wine Down to the Weekend! 🍷🎶🍂