STATEHOUSE (Feb. 6, 2019) — Local lawmakers introduced a resolution celebrating the 150th anniversaries of the Culbertson Mansion and the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites Corporation.
State Reps. Ed Clere (R-New Albany), Karen Engleman (R-Georgetown), Rita Fleming (D-Jeffersonville), Steve Davisson (R-Salem) and Terry Goodin (D-Austin), and State Sens. Ron Grooms (R-Jeffersonville) and Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) came together to support the measure on Monday.
“The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites Corporation is a treasure, and it houses and interprets countless Hoosier treasures,” Clere said. “It reminds us of where we have been, as we think about where we are going and what we can be.”
The legislators were joined by President and CEO of the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites Corporation Cathy Ferree, Culbertson Mansion Program Developer Kaitlyn Tisdale, Regional Director for the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites Corporation and former Site Manager for Culbertson Mansion Jessica Stavros, and Chief Curator and Research Officer for the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites Corporation Susannah Koerber.
“We appreciate all of the support we have received over the past 150 years, and we are proud to continue to champion education, Hoosier heritage and the preservation of some of our most significant stories,” Ferree said. “We are the keepers of more than 500,000 Indiana treasures, and sharing the real stories about real Hoosiers will allow us to influence and impact future generations for even more years to come.”
The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites Corporation was established in 1869 by the Indiana General Assembly as the State Geological Department. Today it manages the Indiana State Museum in downtown Indianapolis and operates 11 historic sites statewide, including the Culbertson Mansion.
“Over the years, Hoosiers have worked hard collecting and sharing historic items that preserve our state’s rich heritage,” Davisson said. “With the Indiana State Museum in Indianapolis and the other 11 historic sites housing these artifacts, we can all enjoy Indiana’s story.”
“We were so honored to receive this recognition, as we believe the Culbertson Mansion is an incredible asset for the state of Indiana and the region,” Stavros said. “We will continue to share our history in a way that is engaging and inclusive for all Hoosiers, dedicating our work to building communities as part of the Indiana State Museum system. We are grateful to Representative Clere and Senator Grooms for this honor.”
According to Stavros, in addition to offering guided tours of its 25 rooms and exploring the grounds, the museum hosts community events.
“The city of New Albany is blessed to have the Culbertson Mansion as a state historic site, and it serves as a community anchor and asset to the city,” Grooms said. “The restoration and renovation program of the mansion has given visitors a first-hand glimpse of what it was like when William S. Culbertson lived on the property 150 years ago.”
As one of the wealthiest men in Indiana in the 1800s, William S. Culbertson built the 20,000-square-foot mansion with hand-painted ceilings, a carved staircase, marble fireplaces and elaborate plasterwork.
“For those who have yet to explore this beautiful mansion, you are missing out,” Engleman said. “This old home is highlighted as an example of how the wealthy lived in the 1800s, and the grounds are breathtaking.”
Guided tours of the mansion begin at the top of each hour, starting at 10 a.m. and the last starting at 4 p.m. The museum and other historic sites are closed Mondays.
Learn more about the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites Corporation by visiting www.indianamuseum.org.
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State Rep. Ed Clere (R-New Albany) represents House District 72, which includes
most of Floyd County, including New Albany, Georgetown and Floyds Knobs.
A high-resolution photo of Clere can be downloaded by clicking here.
State Rep. Steve Davisson (R-Salem) represents House District 73,
Washington County, and portions of Orange, Lawrence, Jackson, Clark and Harrison counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Karen Engleman (R-Georgetown) represents House District 70,
which includes portions of Clark, Floyd and Harrison counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Sen. Ron Grooms (R-Jeffersonville) represents Senate District 46,
Floyd County and portions of Clark County
For a high-resolution photo of Grooms, click here.
