T.C. Steele State Historic Site features a variety of tours and programs throughout the year. Look for special activities include about gardening, art, crafts and more.
Artist-in-Residence Program The Artist-in-Residence (AIR) program promotes the awareness of the fine arts in Indiana and illustrates how the natural elements of the site inspire artistic creativity. These artists will stay on the property for a determined amount of time (between a week to a month) and will create original art and interact with visitors.
Hiking Sundays: Outdoor Series June 2, July 7, 2013; 1 – 3 p.m.
$2 per member; $3 per non-member Join outdoor enthusiests for this guided hiking series at T.C. Steele State Historic Site. Hikers will trek through various trail systems on site and, if possible, hike leaders may even utilize the Nature Conservancy/Yellowwood trail system. Each adventure will be different and cover a veriety of topics ranging from identification, orienteering, ecology, above ground archaeology and history.
June 2: The Significance of Historical Trees: Come learn the story behind the historic trees on the property: how trees can hold historical signifance, best practices to preserving historical/growing landmarks, and some interesting areas of historic tree maintanence.
July 7: Tree Management for Home Owners: Learn the best practices to designing and maintaning the trees and shrubs around your home. Come learn from example as the historic site faces challenges to preserving the mature landscape of historic trees due to weather and time.
Sundays at Home June 9, 2013; 1 – 5 p.m.
$5 per adult; $3 per child (5 – 12 years old) children 4 and under free Volunteers and staff members in early 20th century period costume lead special tours and programs. The event will have a traditional music component. Families are encouraged to participate in “old-fashioned” games and activities. The admission fee includes a building tour.
Brown County Studio and Garden Tour June 21 – 23, 2013
Tuesday – Saturday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
$5 per adult; $4 per senior; free for members for special house tour The Large Studio is open on a stationed basis, and special house tours are scheduled every hour. A special guided garden tour will be offered on a twice-daily basis. There is no fee for visitors to tour the studio or the gardens, but the regular fee applies to the house tour. T.C. Steele will also host a "Visiting Artist" who will create original art on-site and interact with the general public all three days during the hours of the tour. This artist will have use of the Guest Cottage to use as studio space to create and display their work.
Camp Steele Session 1: July 11 and 12, 2013; 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Session 2: July 18 and 19, 2013; 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
$45 per member child per session; $77 per member child for both sessions
$50 per non-member child per session; $80 per non-member child for both sessions Campers entering grade 4 through 7 will discover T.C. Steele, his work, his life and his home by participating in art activities and tours. Campers will explore the grounds and learn more about using the site’s natural elements as inspiration. Participants will need to bring a sack lunch, but some snacks and drinks will be provided.
Herbal Daze Aug. 9, 2013; 4 – 6 p.m.
$27 per member; $30 per non-member Sample and enjoy herbal drinks and a variety of herbal dishes and discover some of Brown County’s local farmers. Listen to a short lecture on the historical uses of herbs, focusing on the pioneer days and how we can still use them today. There will a craft activity suitable for all ages. There will be a tour of the house at the end of the program. Registration is required.
Great Outdoor Art Contest and Local Tastings Sept. 14, 2013; 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Adult registration: $10 ($9 for members); child registration: $5 ($4 for members)
$2 parking donation for general public T.C. Steele State Historic Site presents the 25th annual Great Outdoor Art Contest in Brown County, Indiana. The event will feature artists painting on the site grounds from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., a 1 p.m. outdoor concert and Local Tastings, a specialty tasting fair from 1 to 4 p.m., featuring local artisanal wine and desserts.
Brown County Backroads Tour Oct. 1 – 30, 2013; site hours
$5 per adult; $4 per senior; $2 per child This driving tour is of artist's studios in Brown County throughout the entire month of October. Visitors can see artists at work in their studios and interact with individual artists.
True Nature, Write and Hike Workshop Oct. 5, 2013; 3 – 7 p.m.
$30 per person (18+) Writing for a Change Bloomington faculty members Allison Distler and Beth Lodge-Rigal will lead this autumn workshop featuring a leisurely guided meditative hike, individual writing time and opportunity for deep listening in a beautiful setting. Participants will write and share their words. In the picturesque landscape of southern Indiana’s Brown County, participants can expect an environment of goodwill and generosity with a focus on finding what is strong in each other’s words and voices. New and seasoned writers are welcome. Participants should bring a notebook and pen, sturdy hiking shoes and water. Light snacks will be provided. Registration is required and can be done by calling the site.
Ghost Tours, Stories and Pumpkins, oh my! Oct. 25, 2013; 7 – 9 p.m.
$5 per adult; $3 per child (age 5 – 12); children 4 and under are free Enjoy Halloween activities including a ghost tour of the house, garden, cemetery and log cabin (weather permitting), ghost stories, a presentation on owls and an art project. Light refreshments will be served in the classroom.
Member Art Show Nov. 1 – 30, 2013; site hours
Included with tour admission Check out the works of art created by members of the Friends of T.C. Steele State Historic Site. The show’s theme is taken from one of Steele’s quotes which will change every year. The theme for 2013 is TBA. This multi-media exhibit in Steele’s Large Studio features paintings, photographs, sculptures, ceramics and other fine crafts.
Steele’s Country Christmas Dec. 7, 2013; noon – 4 p.m.
$5 per adult; $3 per child (ages 5 – 12); children 4 and under are free Go back in time to the early 1920s, when the Steeles celebrated the holidays at the House of the Singing Winds, inviting neighbors and friends into their home. St. Nicholas will visit the Large Studio, where children and families can have their photographs taken with him. Visitors will make ornaments and small, hand-crafted gifts. Enjoy live music in the Large Studio and refreshments.
All programs are sponsored by the Friends of T.C. Steele State Historic Site. Friends members will receive a discount on programs. $1 for programs $5 and under, $2 for programs over $5 but under $10, and $3 for programs over $10.
For more information on programs at T.C. Steele State Historic Site, contact the site at 812.988.2785 or tcsteeleshs@indianamuseum.org.
PATCH PROGRAMS FOR SCOUTS Earn your Historic Preservation Patch at the Indiana State Historic Sites! Grades 3 – 12 Find out how your Scout group or youth organization can learn to love and protect old architectural treasures in our communities. Designed for both older and younger youth, visit one of the participating state historic sites and do the rest of the activities on your own, or request a program be provided for your group at $3 per person.
When the requirements are completed, you may purchase this patch for $3 at the Lanier Mansion State Historic Site. For information and patch requirements, contact Anne Fairchild at 812.273.4531 or afairchild@indianamuseum.org.
