Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites

The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites is in the final stages of a detailed cultural landscape report for the Culbertson Mansion State Historic Site. Set to be completed later this year, this comprehensive study will serve as a valuable resource for the management of the historic site, which has been part of the museum system since 1976.

The project has been funded in part from a grant provided by the U.S. Department of Interior, National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Fund, administered by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology. The study, which began in 2023, is being prepared by CRA Inc. and staff from the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites.

This initiative will support the museum system’s stewardship of the historic site by identifying strategies for the mansion’s long-term preservation and management. It will also enhance the visitor experience by providing deeper insights into the historical context of the mansion and its surroundings.

Culbertson Mansion tells the story of an Indiana community through the lens of Gilded Age culture, distinctive architecture and historic preservation. Built from 1867-69, it was the home of William Stewart Culbertson, a prominent 19th-century merchant and banker who was one of Indiana’s wealthiest citizens. Culbertson’s successful dry goods business and investments in banking, land speculation and manufacturing significantly contributed to the economic and social development of New Albany. His philanthropic efforts, including investments in clean drinking water, gas heat and housing for widows and orphans, helped reshape the community.

The mansion itself is a stunning example of Second Empire architecture, reflecting Culbertson’s wealth and status. It served as the family’s private residence until the mid-1940s but afterward fell into disrepair and within 20 years the building was slated for demolition. Since becoming part of the museum system, the mansion’s exterior and intricate interior have undergone meticulous restoration, funded through a combination of state and private resources, including contributions raised by the Friends of the Culbertson Mansion through their annual haunted house and other events.

Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, the opulent Victorian home is open for public tours Wednesday through Sunday. Visitors can explore the mansion’s beautiful architectural details — including hand-painted ceilings and an ornate spiral staircase — and learn about the lives of the Culbertson family and domestic servant staff as well as the connection between the house and the people of New Albany for the past 150 years.

The cultural landscape report marks the first study to contextualize the Culbertson Mansion within its broader surroundings. This resulting document will provide a complete overview of the landscape, outlining strategies for its preservation and management to support long-term interpretive and visitor experience goals. By emphasizing the landscape as a critical component of the property, the report will offer recommendations for a multi-layered interpretation for visitors, detailing how the entire estate functioned during the Culbertson period and how it fit into the wider context of the surrounding area in New Albany, along the Ohio River and beyond.