Oldfields ~ Indianapolis, Indiana

An American Homestead

On the north side of

Indianapolis, on the grounds

the Indianapolis Museum of Art

is the house called Oldfields.

It is a grand house and gardens

in the American Country Home

style.  When I visit it always

makes me think of the

Magnificent Ambersons.

It is the type of place

where a car like this would

drop you at the front door

and then pull around

to the garage in back.

This is the beautiful, sunny

front parlor with views

out on to the front lawn,

the allee of trees and

the fountain.

The cozy game room.

The library where all

the walls are lined with

beautiful leather bound books.

This is the desk in the

library which faces

into the room.  It would

have to be this way because

the view out the windows

to the gardens would be

too distracting and you

would never get any work done.

The back parlor.

This would be a perfect

spot to enjoy afternoon tea.

Is it because I spend so

much time in my own

kitchen that I am always

so fascinated by the kitchens

of these grand houses?

I would LOVE to

 have this stove.

The gardens were designed

by a landscape architect from

the Olmstead Brothers firm, the

designers of Central Park.

The gardens include this

formal garden but also

hillside rambles, a ravine,

wooded walks and the

grand allee at the front

of the house.

The gardens are filled

with birdsong and the

scent of Spring blossoms.

As you stroll along the

garden paths you come upon

beautiful statues.