Home Historic Sites Lanier Mansion State Historic Site

LANIER MANSION STATE HISTORIC SITE

A CROWN JEWEL of GREEK REVIVAL ARCHITECTURE

MADISON, IN
Tour Times (Registration Required)
  • 10 am
  • Noon
  • 2 pm
  • 4 pm
Front of 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.

STEP BACK in TIME WITH US

Archival photograph of Lanier Mansion

James F.D. Lanier

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.

Flowers in front of Lanier Mansion

The Mansion Design

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 Grounds

Restoring the Grounds

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's Dining Room

Uncovering History

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.

HOST your EVENT

AT LANIER MANSION
Kids and Band at an Event at Lanier Mansion

BECOME A PART of SOMETHING BIGGER

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.

See all that Lanier Mansion has to offer scouting groups with guides designed to help you explore.

Mr Lanier

Explore the crown jewel preserved and shared for almost 100 years to honor James F. D. Lanier. Mr. Lanier

Spiral Staircase

Bring history, science, art and education to life for your students—learning how Lanier helped build Indiana’s economy and finance the Civil War.

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