A Crown jewel of Greek Revival architecture

Welcome to Lanier Mansion

A NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK SINCE 1994

Lanier Mansion is one of the best examples of Greek Revival architecture in the country and is considered to be the “Crown Jewel” of Madison’s Historic District. Here you’ll have the opportunity to encounter, explore and experience history as it was in the 1840s–when America was still young and the Ohio River was the gateway to the West.

Children Under 3 Admission: Free
Youth (Ages 3 - 17) Admission: $8
Adults (Ages 18 - 59) Admission: $12
Seniors (Ages 60+) Admission: $10
Members Admission: Free

PURCHASE TICKETS

Timed, indoor tours are available Wednesday through Sunday at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Specialty tours need to be booked in advance by calling the site at 812.265.3526. Self-guided walking tours of the grounds are open all day.

Use of paranormal equipment of any kind is not permitted on tours.

All guided tours begin at the Visitor Center, which is just west of the state historic site with an entrance facing Vine Street. Parking is available near the Lanier-Madison Visitor Center.

Walk up tour tickets are subject to availability. Purchasing online or by calling the site is recommended to ensure tour registration especially when visiting on a free day or when schools are in session.

Purchase Tickets

Operating Hours

Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Thursday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Friday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Sunday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: Closed

Holidays

Easter – Closed

Memorial Day – Open for preregistered tours only

Labor Day – Open for preregistered tours only

Thanksgiving – Closed

Christmas Eve – Closed

Christmas Day – Closed

Free Days

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Presidents’ Day

Juneteenth (June 15)

smiling youth

Summer Camp

History Camp  

July 23
Youth entering grades 4 – 6

$25/camper; 10% discount for members  

Madison was a bustling and booming town in the early 19th century! During this camp, learn how to navigate the Ohio River, conduct steam power experiments and play historical games.  

Learn more

STEP BACK IN TIME WITH US

Old Lanier Mansion Photo

James Franklin Doughty Lanier was one of Madison’s pioneers. His activities in banking and railroad development made him one of the most important figures in Indiana’s history. Lanier moved to Madison in 1817 where he practiced law and served as clerk of the Indiana General Assembly in the 1820s. By 1834, he’d became president of the Madison Branch of the State Bank of Indiana and was a major investor in Indiana’s first railroad. Lanier’s business success allowed him to hire Madison architect Francis Costigan to design and build the grandest residence in Madison, which was completed in 1844.

Francis Costigan designed the mansion with many Greek Revival features. These include its square plan, the full façade porch on the south elevation, the Corinthian columns on the south portico, the Doric pilasters that appear on several locations on the exterior, the massive exterior entablature and dentilated cornice, the ornamental anthemia, the ornamental pediments over the windows and doors, and the Ionic columns that separate the double parlors on the first floor.

Lanier Mansion and Flowers
Front Steps of Lanier Mansion

During the 1990s, the Lanier Mansion and grounds were restored to their former grandeur. After many years of painstaking research, the home was painted in the original colors both inside and out. On the interior, horsehair brushes were used to paint the walls and decorative plaster moldings with a high gloss varnish as they were in 1844. The wallpapers and carpets are all reproductions of those available for purchase in the 1840s.

Archaeologists and historians have been active at Lanier Mansion since 1990, discovering the original locations of the former dog kennels, poultry house, green houses and cisterns, as well as the original Lanier home and carriage house. Archaeologists also uncovered numerous glass and ceramic items, including shards of glass bottles, dishes, bowls and ceramic serving pieces made of yellow ware, white ware and porcelain, as well as transfer ware in a variety of colors. Researchers used the transfer ware shards as a guide in selecting the set of antique transfer ware that now adorns the mansion’s dining room.

Dining Room at Lanier

Recapture life in the 19th Century

Spend a day at the Mansion and you can easily imagine what life was like for James Lanier and his family in the mid-1800s. Careful interior restoration and redecoration have recaptured the Mansion’s 19th-century splendor.

James F.D. Lanier

Explore the Crown Jewel

The Greek Revival Lanier home has been preserved and shared for almost 100 years to honor James F. D. Lanier. Mr. Lanier made major economic contributions to the State of Indiana and the nation.

Admire architectural details

Look at the beautiful architecture of the home. In addition to the spiral staircase, be sure to notice the Corinthian columns on the south portico, the Ionic columns separating the double parlors on the first floor and even a curved door near the stairs!

A look up at the spiral staircase
Man dressed as Abraham Lincoln standing in front of group of people

Volunteer with us

Become a part of something bigger. Help our visitors engage with the past and connect it to the present, carrying their newfound knowledge and experiences with them long after their visit. We invite you to become a part of this exciting institution as a volunteer. Click below to learn more and apply today.

Volunteer
lanier mansion state historic site gardens

BOOK A FIELD TRIP

Help bring history, science, art and education to life for your students with a one-of-a-kind field trip experience. Students will learn how Lanier helped to build Indiana’s economy and finance the Civil War. All state historic sites support Indiana Academic Standards, and feature a variety of academic topics. Call 812.265.3526 to schedule your visit to Lanier Mansion.

Learn more Download educator guide

So much to see (and do) here!

  • Illustration of Lanier Mansion Grounds
  • James F.D. Lanier Historical Marker
  • Lanier Mansion Grounds
  • Iron Work Detail
  • Spiral Staircase at Lanier Mansion
  • Light Fixture Detail

Plan Your Trip

  • Admission

    Timed, indoor tours are available Wednesday through Sunday at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

    Specialty tours need to be booked in advance by calling the site at 812.265.3526. Self-guided walking tours of the grounds are open all day.

    Use of paranormal equipment of any kind is not permitted on tours.

    All guided tours begin at the Visitor Center, which is just west of the state historic site with an entrance facing Vine Street. Parking is available near the Lanier-Madison Visitor Center.

    Walk up tour tickets are subject to availability. Purchasing online or by calling the site is recommended to ensure tour registration especially when visiting on a free day or when schools are in session.

    Purchase Tickets
  • Contact

  • Group Rate

    Discounted tickets are available for groups of 10 visitors or more. To receive group rates, please call the site in advance and purchase all tickets with one payment. Find prices below.

    Adults – $11
    Seniors* – $9
    Youth* – $7
    Children under 3 – FREE
    *Seniors: Ages 60 and older, Youth: Ages 3 through 17

    For group transportation to a state historic site, contact our partners at CharterUP.

  • Discounts

    Special discounts are available for educators and education groups, military, Access Pass holders and more. View all discounts >>

  • School Groups

    Field trip admission is free for pre-scheduled, accredited schools and homeschool groups of 10 or more Indiana K-12 students. Members of the Indiana Association of Homeschool Educators receive free daily admission with proof of membership. Call 812.265.3526 to schedule your visit.

    Academic topics covered include Greek Revival architecture, historic preservation, mid 19th-century life and financial literacy.

    Learn more
  • Girl Scouts

    Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site has numerous opportunities for Girl Scouts throughout the year. We also offer a free, printable Badge Explorer Guide!

    Learn more
  • Commercial Photography And Videography

    If you are a photographer looking to book a shoot at Lanier Mansion State Historic Site, please review our commercial photography policy and application process. Learn more >>

601 W. First St., Madison, IN 47250

Visit Today!

Lanier Mansion is located just north of the Ohio River between Vine and Elm streets. All guided tours begin at the Visitor Center, which is just west of the state historic site with an entrance facing Vine Street. Parking is available near the Lanier-Madison Visitor Center.