Wylie House Tours: Garlands & Greenery 2025

A painting of the Wylie House kitchen hearth

Wylie House Museum gratefully acknowledges the artwork of Chris Kellams featured here. Her watercolor painting, created in 2024, beautifully captures the museum’s historic kitchen adorned for the winter holiday season.

Come visit the Wylie House Museum, the 1835 home of IU’s first president, decorated in all its seasonal splendor. Visitors to the free Garlands and Greenery Tours at the museum will learn of holiday observances and traditions spanning the 19th century when President Andrew Wylie and wife Margaret resided there, followed by Professor Theophilus Wylie and wife Rebecca and their families. The house, at 307 E. Second Street, is interpreted and operated by IU Libraries as a resource for classes and research. As part of its educational mission, the home will be decorated with fresh greenery, holiday décor, and a Christmas tree for a couple weeks this December and accessible for special tours. Cookies and craft activities will also be available in the Morton C. Bradley, Jr. Education Center neighboring the house, so stop by before or after your tour!

The free tours will be offered between 10 a.m.–4 p.m. on two Fridays and Saturdays: Dec. 12–13 and Dec. 19–20, occurring every hour on the hour. The last tour will be at 3 p.m. Please RSVP for one of the hour-long slots on your desired day. There will also be a few spaces held for walk-ins. More information about parking and accessibility can be found on the event listings. Looking forward to seeing you there!

An employee putting decorative oranges in a vase in the Wylie House Museum.
A selection of historic cookie cutters on a table with other baking implements in front of a window with festive decorations in the Wylie House Museum.
An employee opening a sewing kit for tour guests at the Wylie House Museum.

Step into the warmth and charm of 19th-century holiday traditions at the historic Wylie House Museum, beautifully adorned with fresh garlands and greenery.

Garlands & Greenery 2025 Tour Dates

December 12, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Garlands & Greenery Tours & Festivities: Friday 12/12

Please RSVP for one of the hour-long sessions to reserve your spot. We’ll hold a few spaces for walk-ins.

Available time slots: 10 a.m. / 11 a.m. / noon / 1 p.m. / 2 p.m. / 3 p.m.

December 13, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Garlands & Greenery Tours & Festivities: Saturday 12/13

Please RSVP for one of the hour-long sessions to reserve your spot. We’ll hold a few spaces for walk-ins.

Available time slots: 10 a.m. / 11 a.m. / noon / 1 p.m. / 2 p.m. / 3 p.m.

December 19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Garlands & Greenery Tours & Festivities: Friday 12/19

Please RSVP for one of the hour-long sessions to reserve your spot. We’ll hold a few spaces for walk-ins.

Available time slots: 10 a.m. / 11 a.m. / noon / 1 p.m. / 2 p.m. / 3 p.m.

December 20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Garlands & Greenery Tours & Festivities: Saturday 12/20

Please RSVP for one of the hour-long sessions to reserve your spot. We’ll hold a few spaces for walk-ins.

Available time slots: 10 a.m. / 11 a.m. / noon / 1 p.m. / 2 p.m. / 3 p.m.

Contributors

  • A person with ear-length, brown hair and red glasses smiles at the camera, wearing a dark green button down shirt with a black and white elephant vest over top.
    Authored by

    Maesa Ogas

    Railsback Fellow for Library Engagement 2025-2026

  • Graphics by

    Chris Kellams

    Custom Watercolor Painter

  • Photography by

    Ann Shertz

    Photographer