Home › Historic Sites › T.C. Steele State Historic Site ›
A field trip to T.C. Steele’s historic home and studio provides students with a chance to step into the world of a celebrated Indiana artist. Immerse your class in the beauty of Steele’s landscape paintings, explore the house where he lived and worked, and engage with nature through hands-on learning. Our field trips are designed to blend art, history, and nature, and are aligned with Indiana Academic Standards.
Call 812-988-2785 to schedule your field trip to T.C. Steele State Historic Site.
Free Admission
Free for preregistered Indiana schools of 10+ K-12 students, teachers, bus drivers and one additional adult per five students. Additional chaperones pay the group admission rate of $11/person.
Free Admission
Free for preregistered groups of 10+ students, including one free adult per five students. Additional adults pay the group rate.
Pre-Registration
All field trips must be booked at least two weeks in advance. This ensures a personalized, engaging experience for your students.
Group Size
A minimum of 10 students is required for field trips.
Lunch
Picnic areas are available, and there are nearby restaurants for students and chaperones.
Contact
Call 812.988.2785 or email [email protected] to schedule your field trip to T.C. Steele.
Enrich your students understanding of T.C. Steele with a selection of recommended books. Our T.C. Steele book list offers resources for different grade levels, from biography and art books to children’s literature inspired by Steele’s works.
Take a look at our collected educator resources from across the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites.
Whether it’s at the site, outreach or virtual, we offer hands-on, exploratory and interactive programs on a variety of topics that provide your students a fun way to learn about Indiana’s people, places and things. All programs fulfill select Indiana Academic Standards for multiple grade levels. At site K-12 programs cost $4/student with a maximum number of 25 students, while at-site PreK programs cost $2/student with a maximum number of 20 students. Outreach programs cost $100/1st session and $75/additional sessions. Travel fees are 30-60 miles: $20; 60-90 miles: $40; 90+ miles: $60. Program length is 45-60 minutes. See programs below:
Experiment with line and color when we explore the works of the Hoosier artist T.C. Steele. Create your own masterpiece with paint you mixed yourself. Afterwards, make a splash creating a collaborative work of art.
Available: At site and outreach
Early Learning Standards: CA3.1, CA3.2, CA3.3, CA2.1, SS2.1, SS2.2, APL1.2, APL2.1, SC1.2, SC4.1, ELA1.3, M4.2, APL3.1, PHG3.1
BIG animals roamed Indiana a long time ago! Together we will identify Ice Age fossils and learn how paleontologists dig for these interesting creatures with hands-on activities.
Available: At site and outreach
Early Learning Standards: SC3.1, SC2.2, SC4.1, SC1.1, SC1.2, APL4.1, SC5.1, SC1.1, SC1.2, APL4.1, APL1.2, M3.1, M5.1, APL1.2, APL1.2, APL3.1, SS2.2, SS3.3, PHG3.1, PHG3.2
What is living under our feet? Identify and investigate what creeps and crawls underground at the T.C. Steele State Historic Site, and how these creatures prepare for the changing seasons.
Available: At site and outreach
Early Learning Standards: M2.1, M3.1, M5.1; M5.2, SE4.1, APL1.1, APL2.1, APL3.1, APL4.1, SC1.1, SC1.2, SC2.2, SC3.1, SC4.1, SS2.2, SS3.1, SS3.2, SS3.3, CA3.1, CA3.2, CA3.3, CA4.1, APL1.2; SC5.1; SS3.3, PHG3.1, PHG3.2
You’re invited to be a naturalist-in-training, while we use our senses to explore the outdoors at the T.C. Steele State Historic Site (weather dependent).
Available: At site
Early Learning Standards: ELA1.1, ELA1.3, M2.2, M3.1, M4.1, M5.2, APL1.1, APL1.2, APL2.1, APL3.1, APL4.1, SC1.1, SC1.2, SC2.1, SC3.1, SC5.1, SS3.1, CS3.1, CS3.2, CA4.1, PHG2.1, PHG2.2, PHG3.1
The school group tour includes a guided tour of the 1907 home and 1916 Large Studio of artist T.C. Steele and his wife Selma. Students will see the grounds, visitor center and T.C.’s Outdoor Studio.
Indiana Academic Standards: K.H.1, K.H.3, K.C.2, K.E.1, K.E.2, 1.H.1, 1.H.3, 1.G.1, 2.H.2, 2.H.3, 2.H.4, 2.C.3, 3.H.3, 3.H.4, 3.H.6, 4.H.7, 4.H.8, 4.H.9, 4.H.15, 4.G.6, 6.H.12, 6.H.13, VA:Pr6.1.K, VA:Pr6.1.1, VA:Pr6.1.2, VA:Re8.1.K, VA:Re8.1.1, VA:Re8.1.2, VA:Re8.1.3, VA:Re9.1.K, VA:Re9.1.1, VA:Re9.1.2, VA:Re9.1.3, VA:Re9.1.4, VA:Re9.1.5, VA:Cn11.1.K, VA:Cn11.1.3, VA:Cn11.1.4, VA:Cn11.1.5
Educators may request a specialty program or activity for an additional fee. Programs include art, history, nature, science, engineering and multidisciplinary learning. Call 812.988.2785 for details.
Line! Shape! Texture! Space! Color! How did T.C. Steele use art elements to create his masterpieces? Find out when your students create their very own three-dimensional sculpture. Students will explore how artists use these elements as tools to create with this hands-on workshop.
Available: At site and outreach
Indiana Academic Standards: VA:Cr1.1. Ka, VA:Cr1.2.Ka, VA:Cr2.1.Ka, VA:Cr3.1.Ka; VA:Cr1.1.1a, VA:Cr1.2.1a, VA:Cr2.1.1a, VA:Cr2.3.1a, VA:Cr3.1.1.a, VA:PR4.1.1a, VA:Re8.1.1a, VA:Re8.1.2a; VA:Cr1.2.2a, VA:Cr2.1.2a, VA:Cr3.1.2a; VA:Re9.1.2a
Students will learn how artists create composition, using math. Using the Rule of Thirds, they’ll create their own compositions and paint a one-of-a-kind masterpiece, keeping in mind the art elements and principles of design.
Available: At site and outreach
Indiana Academic Standards: VA:Cr1.1.3a, VA:Cr1.2.3a, VA:Cr2.1.3a, VA:Re7.1.3a, VA:Re.7.2.3a, VA:Re8.1.3a, VA:Cn10.1.3a; VA:Cr1.1.4a, VA:Cr2.1.4a, VA:Cr2.2.4a; VA:Pr5.1.4a, VA:Re8.1.4a, VA:Re8.1.4a; VA:Cr1.1.5a, VA:Cr2.1.5a, VA:Cr2.2.5a; VA:Re7.1.5a, VA:Re8.1.5a, VA:Re8.1.5a, VA:Cn10.1.5a
Nature is full of engineers! Explore how our animal friends construct their homes and select their habitat. Students will use the design process to brainstorm solutions, build prototypes and test their own habitat design.
Available: At site
Indiana Academic Standards: 3-LS1-1, 3-LS3-1, 3-LS4-2, 3-LS4-3, 3-LS4-4, 3-5-ETS1-1, 3-5-ETS1-2, 3-5-ETS1-3, 4-LS1-1, 4-LS1-2, 5-LS2-1
Inspired by Steele’s paintings that model Realism and Impressionism, your students will discover their own tastes and aesthetics when they experiment with their preferred style, and subject!
Available: At site and outreach
Indiana Academic Standards: VA:Cr1.1.6a, VA:Re8.1.6a; VA:Cr1.2.7a, VA:Re8.1.7a; VA:Cr1.2.8a; VA:Cr2.3.8a, VA:Re7.1.8a; HS Proficient VA:Cr1.1.la, HS Accomplished VA:Cr1.2.lla,HS Advanced VA:Cr1.2.llla, HS Accomplished VA:Cr2.1.lla, HS Accomplished VA:Pr6.1.lla, HS Accomplished VA:Re.7.1.lla; DSF-3.1, DSF-3.2, DSF-3.3, DSF-3.4
An ekphrastic poem is inspired by a work of art. Students will read poems inspired by two famous paintings, then look to one of T.C. Steele’s paintings to inspire – then write – their own poems.
Available: At site and outreach
Indiana Academic Standards: VA:Cr1.1.6a, VA:Re8.1.6a, VA:Cr1.2.7a, VA:Re8.1.7a, VA:Cr1.2.8a; VA:Cr2.3.8a, VA:Re7.1.8a; HS Proficient VA:Cr1.1.la, HS Accomplished VA:Cr1.2.lla, HS Advanced VA:Cr1.2.llla, HS Accomplished VA:Cr2.1.lla, HS Accomplished VA:Pr6.1.lla, HS Accomplished VA:Re.7.1.ll; 3.RC.1, 3.RC.3, 3.RC.4, 3.RC.5, 3.RC.11, 3.RC.13, 3.W.2, 3.W.3, 3.W.4, 3.CC.1, 4.RC.1, 4.RC.3, 4.RC.4, 4.RC.5, 4.RC.8, 4.W.3, 4.CC.1, 5.RC.1, 5.RC.3, 5.RC.4, 5.RC.6, 5.RC.11, 5.RC.12, 5.W.3, 5.CC.1, 6.RC.1, 6.RC.3, 6.RC.4, 6.RC.6, 6.RC.7, 6.RC.10, 6.W.3, 6.CC.1, 7.RC.1, 7.RC.6, 7.RC.7, 7.RC.10, 7.RC.11, 7.W.3, 7.CC.1, 8.RC.1, 8.RC.4, 8.RC.5, 8.RC.8, 8.RC.11, 8.W.3, 8.CC.1
Walk through the home of T.C. Steele. This historic residence, nestled among the rolling hills, offers a glimpse into the personal and professional life of one of Indiana’s most beloved artists.
Explore the expansive space where Steele created many of his iconic works. The studio offers an incredible view into the artistic process and the world that inspired Steele’s work.
Wander through the beautifully preserved gardens and surrounding natural spaces that influenced Steele’s landscape paintings. Learn how the scenery shaped his artistic vision.
Start your journey at the visitor center, where interactive exhibits tell the story of T.C. Steele’s life and artistic contributions. Explore Indiana’s natural beauty through his eyes.
Visit the very spot where Steele painted “en plein air,” capturing Indiana’s landscapes. See how his works were shaped by the environment around him.
We look forward to welcoming your students to the T.C. Steele State Historic Site, where art, nature, and history come alive. Call us at 812.988.2785 to book your trip or send us an email at the link below.
