Limberlost

Limberlost

A lasting legacy of natural history

The Land That Inspired The Books

To famed Indiana author Gene Stratton-Porter, the Limberlost Swamp was the perfect playground, laboratory and inspiration for her acclaimed articles, fiction and photographs. At a time when most women were homemakers, Stratton-Porter created a lasting legacy of northern Indiana’s vanishing natural history through her writings and photos. In the 25 years that she lived at Limberlost, she wrote six of her 12 novels and five of her seven nature books, including the best-selling “Freckles” and “A Girl of the Limberlost.” An estimated 50 million people worldwide have read her works, and many of her novels were produced as motion pictures.

Gene Stratton-Porter Portrait

Born in 1863 near Wabash, Indiana, Geneva Grace Stratton grew up with a passion and love for the unspoiled outdoors — a love she kept throughout her life as a respected author, naturalist, photographer and illustrator. After the birth of her daughter, Jeannette, Gene and her young family moved in 1888 to Geneva, near the Limberlost Swamp — an area once described as a “treacherous swamp and quagmire, filled with every plant, animal and human danger known — in the worst of such locations in the central states.”

Stretching for 13,000 acres the vast forest and swampland was legendary for its quicksand and unsavory characters. The swamp received its name from Limber Jim, who got lost while hunting in the swamp. When the news spread, the cry went out “Limber’s lost!” The Porters lived here until the swamp was drained in 1913. She then built a new home on the shore of Sylvan Lake near Rome City.

Directional Signage at Limberlost
Children Under 3 Admission: Free
Youth (Ages 3 - 17) Admission: $5
Adults (Ages 18 - 59) Admission: $8
Seniors (Ages 60+) Admission: $7
Members Admission: Free

PURCHASE TICKETS

Timed, indoor tours are available Wednesday through Sunday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 pm. Self-guided tours of the Limberlost Conservation Area Nature Preserves are available all day. Trail Maps are available at the Visitors Center.

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

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

July 4th – Open

Labor Day – Open for preregistered tours only

Thanksgiving – Closed

Christmas Eve – Closed

Christmas Day – Closed

New Year’s Eve – Closed

New Year’s Day – Limited hours with preregistered tours only

Free Days

Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 20)

Presidents Day (Feb. 17)

Juneteenth Celebration (date tbd)

Loblolly Marsh

Get Lost in the Swamp

Gene Stratton-Porter wrote more than half her novels and nature books while living in Geneva. She wrote six novels – including “Freckles” and “A Girl of the Limberlost” — while living in Limberlost Cabin. This cabin houses her legendary desk that once belonged to Booth Tarkington, one of only three different novelists to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction more than once.

Cabin at Limberlost

Tour the House

Step inside the actual cabin where Gene lived — a 13-room Queen Anne rustic log cabin furnished in Victorian and Arts and Crafts styles that contains a must-see greenhouse room.

Explore the Grounds

Gene Stratton-Porter spent years documenting moths in the wild. Today, you can explore a portion of her moth collection, then take to the great outdoors and find out how many moths you can count and identify on the grounds.

Typewriter at Limberlost
Loblolly Sign

Take a Hike

Hike through Loblolly Marsh to see many different types of birds and other wildlife that call the site home. Nature programs throughout the summer also offer visitors a chance to enjoy guided tours of the land surrounding the site with an on-staff naturalist.

Explore Nature Preserves

Experience the amazing nature preserves that inspired Hoosier author and photographer Gene Stratton-Porter on this tour led by a certified naturalist.

Choose from one of five different Limberlost nature preserves – one of which includes a trail that is accessible for persons using wheelchairs – or explore Gene’s world  and visit sites important to her writings and personal life. Tours are available year-round, weather permitting.

Cost is $40 per group (up to 10 people) for a 90-minute tour. To find out more and to make a reservation, call 260.368.7428 or email [email protected].

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 about the home and natural environment that inspired Gene Stratton-Porter to write her bestsellers. All state historic sites support Indiana Academic Standards, and feature a variety of academic topics. Call 260.368.7428 to schedule your visit to Limberlost.

Learn more

The Legend of Limberlost

Smithsonian Magazine writer Kathryn Aalto visited with Indiana State Museum and Historic Site staff members to better understand the impact of Gene Stratton-Porter’s legacy, and its connection to Limberlost.

Read the Story
Gene Stratton-Porter Illustration
Kids Learning at Limberlost

See all the natural beauty of Limberlost as a Member today!

Limberlost offers members year-round opportunities to explore nature and walk away inspired and refreshed.

Become a Member Today

The beauty of Limberlost

  • Study at Limberlost
  • Bedroom at Limberlost
  • Dining Room at Limberlost
  • Greenhouse at Limberlost
  • Organ at Limberlost
  • Loblolly Marsh
  • Trails at Limberlost
  • Caterpillar at Limberlost
  • Trails at Limberlost
  • Crane at Loblolly Marsh
  • Bench at Limberlost
  • Cabin at Limberlost

Plan Your Trip

  • Admission

    Timed, indoor tours are available Wednesday through Sunday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 pm. Self-guided tours of the Limberlost Conservation Area Nature Preserves are available all day. Trail Maps are available at the Visitors Center.

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

    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. To ensure your group is able to visit the site on a specific day, we recommended calling or emailing at least two weeks in advance. We will try to accommodate your request made less than two weeks out, but it is not always possible.

    Adults – $7
    Seniors* – $6
    Youth* – $4
    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 260.368.7428 to schedule your visit.

    To ensure your group is able to visit the site on a specific day, we recommended calling or emailing at least two weeks in advance. We will try to accommodate your request made less than two weeks out, but it is not always possible.

    Academic topics covered include natural history, environmental science, multidisciplinary learning to combine art, science and reading and writing from 1880s-1913.

    Learn more
  • Girl Scouts

    Limberlost 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 Limberlost State Historic Site, please review our commercial photography policy and application process. Learn more >>

200 Sixth St., Geneva, IN 46740

Visit Today

Located on the South side of Geneva, right off of State Road 27. Look for the big red log cabin or the bright blue Limberlost State Historic site signs.