James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home

James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home This Museum Home is a true preservation, not a restoration, of the Victorian home. Visit us for a tour, public event or private event.
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528 Lockerbie Street is a true preservation of the Victorian home the great Hoosier Poet, James Whitcomb Riley, resided in the last twenty-three years of his life. The James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home opened to the public in 1922, and has been offering a glimpse into the history of James Whitcomb Riley and his Victorian world for the last ninety-nine years. The home features the same furnishings a

nd ornate décor Mr. Riley enjoyed during his lifetime. Visitors to our Museum Home will see beautiful ceilings painted by Italian Artisans, the desk where Mr. Riley penned some of his most well known works such as Little Orphant Annie and The Raggedy Man, and a myriad of other treasures. Please visit the Museum Home soon and learn about the life and legacy of James Whitcomb Riley, the Indiana poet who helped define what it meant to be a Hoosier.

We are kicking off with the band 'Midnight Drive Indy' as our first concert on Friday, June 19th ✨Midnight Drive is a hi...
06/01/2026

We are kicking off with the band 'Midnight Drive Indy' as our first concert on Friday, June 19th ✨

Midnight Drive is a high-energy rock cover band built to light up the stage and keep crowds moving from the first note to the last. Covering hits from the ‘80s through the 2000s, Midnight Drive delivers the songs everyone loves—but not the ones every other band is playing. From Lady Gaga to The Killers, Foo Fighters, The Cranberries, Poison, and even Led Zeppelin, the setlist is packed with unexpected favorites that keep audiences singing, dancing, and staying until closing time. 🎶

🎉$6 drinks from Tito's Handmade Vodka and Sun King Brewery
🎉Order ClusterTruck directly to the Museum to enjoy during the concert
🎉Listen to great live music outside on a beautiful Friday evening
🎉Relax on your own blanket or lawn chairs
🎉All ticket and beverage sales go to Riley Children's Foundation
🎉Grab your tickets today before they sell-out!

Grab your tickets through Eventbrite 💿🤩

Fun Fact Friday! Anaglypta... another pressed cardboard.Created by Thomas J. Palmer in 1888 to be less expensive than li...
05/29/2026

Fun Fact Friday! Anaglypta... another pressed cardboard.

Created by Thomas J. Palmer in 1888 to be less expensive than lincrusta, anaglypta is lighter due to being hollow. While less durable, it is better suited for ceilings than lincrusta and can immitate plasterwork well.

Fun Fact Friday! Is it wood? Is it leather? No! It is... lincrusta! What??Lincrusta is made out of linseed oil and wood ...
05/15/2026

Fun Fact Friday!

Is it wood? Is it leather? No! It is... lincrusta! What??

Lincrusta is made out of linseed oil and wood flour... basically pressed cardboard. Invented in 1877 by Frederick Walton, who also had pioneered linoleum. Its known to be customizable, durable, and easy to clean. Used in homes (like in our formal dining room), hospitals, schools, luxury ships (ex: the Titanic), and trains.

While it lost popularity after the 1930s, its still made today!

Happy Birthday Charlotte Nickum! Born May 1, 1822, she was the daughter of John Davis, a private in the American Revolut...
05/01/2026

Happy Birthday Charlotte Nickum! Born May 1, 1822, she was the daughter of John Davis, a private in the American Revolution, and his wife, Nancy. She married John Nickum in 1843 and had two children, Caroline, who died in infancy, and Magdalena. Riley often referred to Charlotte as his second mother.

Happy Belated National Telephone Day!!📞Today we're highlighting a book in our collection called "The Telephone," by Prof...
04/26/2026

Happy Belated National Telephone Day!!📞

Today we're highlighting a book in our collection called "The Telephone," by Professor A. E. Dolbear, as well as the telephone in the home. Dolbear's book was published in 1877 while he was a professor at Tufts College.

Adoptable dogs Maco and Petunia with Sketchy Mutts are on site! More pooches will be here throughout the day at the Lock...
04/25/2026

Adoptable dogs Maco and Petunia with Sketchy Mutts are on site! More pooches will be here throughout the day at the Lockerbie Garden Party!

Address

528 Lockerbie Street
Indianapolis, IN
46202

Opening Hours

Thursday 10am - 11am
11:30am - 12:30pm
Friday 10am - 3:30pm
Saturday 10am - 3:30pm

Telephone

+13176315885

Website

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