Take a look at three of IU’s most historical buildings:
Woodburn House
The Woodburn House, located on College Avenue, is more than 175 years old.
Director of Residences Elaine Finley said the Woodburn House was part of the Underground Railroad in the 19th century.
“There’s a lot of history there and antiquities inside,” Finley said.
Professor James Woodburn purchased the house in 1855, and his family lived there for 86 years.
The Woodburn House was also home to one of IU’s most notable presidents, Herman B Wells. Wells lived in Woodburn House as a young economics professor in 1932 and lived there throughout most of his residency.
For much of the house’s history, students lived there to help maintain the property. Now, no one occupies the house, but it is still used for events.
Maintaining the home proves to be a challenge sometimes, Finley said.
“Something’s always going wrong,” Finley said. “The older things get, the more upkeep is required.”
Woodburn House has undergone many renovations including a new fence, new wiring and a new kitchen.
When the new kitchen was being installed, Finley told the contractors she didn’t want to change a single thing about its style. Today, the kitchen is newly renovated, but it looks as though it is from the 1800s.
Bryan House
Built in 1924, the William Lowe and Charlotte Lowe Bryan House was commissioned for the president of the University.
William Lowe Bryan, for whom the house is named, served as IU’s 10th president. The house has been home to every University president after Bryan except Joseph Lee Stutton.
Refurbished once Herman B Wells took residence, and it serves not only as a home but as a meeting place.
The Bryan House is well-known for being host to incoming freshmen and outgoing seniors to reflect on their IU journey.
Though the Bryan House has seen many gatherings and happy times, it has also seen some hard ones.
Following the firing of men’s basketball Coach Bob Knight, students swarmed the Bryan House to protest the decision by former President Myles Brand.
The house has welcomed its fair share of visitors and people of note, and the artifacts and history found inside attest to its vibrant history.
Wylie House
Wylie House, located on East Second Street, was built in 1835 by IU’s first president, Andrew Wylie.
Today, the house is still furnished in 1840s style Wylie and his family would have lived in.
The house is now administered by IU Libraries and runs as a museum for community members, students and Bloomington visitors. The house is open for public tours and provides students and faculty research opportunities.
The Wylie House Museum is open for free guided tours five days per week 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May to November.
“The houses are very valuable in a historical sense,” Finley said. “They honor the age and the antiquities of IU. We’re very happy and fortunate to still have them as a part of IU history and Bloomington history.”
