T. C. Steele State Historic Site

T. C. Steele State Historic Site See our community guidelines under "About." Selma created several acres of gardens around the home. From 1907 to 1921, the Steeles wintered in Indianapolis.

Theodore Clement Steele (1847-1926), noted Indiana artist and member of the Hoosier Group of American regional impressionist painters, was inspired by the picturesque scenes that he encountered in Brown County. In 1907, Steele and his second wife, Selma Neubacher Steele, purchased property in Brown County and began construction of their home, which they named "The House of the Singing Winds." They

built the Large Studio in 1916 to accommodate Steele's work and landscaped the surrounding hillsides to enhance the beauty of their property. They established a home in Bloomington when Steele became artist in residence at Indiana University in 1922. Each spring they returned to their Brown County property. As Steele's popularity grew, an increasing number of visitors were attracted to Brown County to meet the artist and to see his work and estate. Steele was at the forefront of the state's art movement and is still one of Indiana's most honored artists. His appreciation of nature, combined with his intelligence and capacity for concentrated study, raised his works to an extraordinary level. Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites Social Media Community Guidelines
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Foray update: Poetry of Plants and Wild Edibles hikes at T. C. Steele are cancelled today for hike leader illness! We ho...
04/26/2026

Foray update: Poetry of Plants and Wild Edibles hikes at T. C. Steele are cancelled today for hike leader illness! We hope she feels better soon! Apologies for the inconvenience!

It’s Arts of the Earth Day! Thanks to Sidney Bolam for coming out to demonstrate limestone carving, and to the painters ...
04/25/2026

It’s Arts of the Earth Day! Thanks to Sidney Bolam for coming out to demonstrate limestone carving, and to the painters who joined us! Thanks also to the participants of the Teddy Bears‘ Picnic, who enjoyed cookies, lemonade, and story time!

Important announcement! The first peonies and iris are here for Little 5 weekend, and just in time for the 41st annual W...
04/23/2026

Important announcement! The first peonies and iris are here for Little 5 weekend, and just in time for the 41st annual Wildflower Foray! They’re early, but they sure are pretty!

Since they’re not wildflowers, we won’t be counting them in our species checklist, but we wanted to be the first to tell you, since Fri. April 24 thru Sun. April 26, the site’s grounds, gardens and trails are FREE!

Want a tour? That’s still regular admission and reservations are available for our three daily tours, including for our *bonus* special tour on Saturday at 11:15, Libbie Steele and the ”Art of Seeing Beautifully,” a tour focused on the painter’s beloved first wife Libbie, the mother of the Steele children.

Did you know that  Hobbit Studio: Unique Stone Carvings's Sidney Bolam will be at the site next Saturday, April 25th for...
04/21/2026

Did you know that Hobbit Studio: Unique Stone Carvings's Sidney Bolam will be at the site next Saturday, April 25th for Arts of the Earth Day?

Sidney will offer an outdoor limestone carving demonstration from 12-2pm on that day, FREE, for Arts of the Earth Day, part of the 41st annual Spring Wildflower Foray!

Heads up, Nature Lovers! The gardens, grounds, and trails of T.C. Steele SHS will be FREE Fri. April 24 thru Sun. April 26! Just come to the Visitor Center and say you're part of the Foray!

Because we've had questions about what EXACTLY will be happening at T.C. Steele during the 41st Wildflower Foray, here i...
04/19/2026

Because we've had questions about what EXACTLY will be happening at T.C. Steele during the 41st Wildflower Foray, here is a list of hikes and programs taking place at this spot next weekend, April 24-26:

On Friday, April 24:

9:15 a.m. Wildflowers at Selma Steele A

Wildflower author Kay Yatskievych's signature hike will be led by Mary Damm and Jill Vance, Monroe Lake interpretive naturalist. This is a 2 ½ to 3-hour MODERATE wildflower walk in and around this state nature preserve.

Meeting Location: T.C. Steele SHS, parking lot

9:15 a.m. Wildflowers at Selma Steele B

Tom Swinford, an ecologist and Land Preservation Director
for Sycamore Land Trust, and naturalist Cathy Meyer will lead
a 3-hour RUGGED wildflower walk around this state nature preserve.

Meeting Location: T.C. Steele SHS, parking lot

***
On Saturday, April 25:

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Arts of the Earth Day
Welcome springtime on a self-guided walk through the gardens and grounds of T.C. Steele State Historic Site. Artists are invited to work en plein air (outdoors) as T.C. Steele once did. Sidney Bolam will offer a limestone carving demo from 12 to 2 p.m.

Meeting Location: T.C. Steele SHS, Singing Winds Visitor Center

Additional activities on Arts of the Earth Day include the Teddy Bear’s Picnic ($4/child; limit 12, member discount) from 1-2pm; and Special Tour: Libbie Steele and the Art of Seeing Beautifully, 11:15am-12pm ($12/adult; $10/senior; $7/child). Tickets available online and at the door as space allows!

***
On Sunday, April 26:

10:30 a.m. Wild Edibles and Useful Plants
Ramble, roam, and wander with naturalist Jules Erwin at the flora found in T.C. and Selma Steele’s gorgeous forest. We’ll saunter and stop to check out wild plants that are edible or just plain useful. This 1-mile, 1-hour MODERATE hike is perfect for beginners and enthusiasts.
Meeting Location: T.C. Steele State Historic Site, Singing Winds Visitor Center

1:00 p.m. The Poetry of Plants
Explore the written word with naturalist Jules Erwin, as we take a writer's ramble to hear and share examples of the poetry of plants and do some writing of our own during a 1.5-hour EASY hike of about 1 mile. Bring your favorite pen and notebook, and a quote or passage to share in this relaxing and meditative look at the place plants hold in literature.
Limited to 10 people; registration required, call site for details
Meeting Location: T.C. Steele State Historic Site, Singing Winds Visitor Center

The lilies of the valley think it’s May.
04/18/2026

The lilies of the valley think it’s May.

It's World Art Day! For the fans, and for those who are new, today we present T.C. Steele's enduring Brown County master...
04/16/2026

It's World Art Day!

For the fans, and for those who are new, today we present T.C. Steele's enduring Brown County masterpiece, "Selma in the Garden," featuring the painter's wife at work in her flower garden beside the House of the Singing Winds.

BONUS! This painting is currently on view in the Large Studio! Sign up for one of our three daily tours to go see it! Gentle reminder for those in the back: Tours are the only way to visit indoors and see the paintings!

Thank you to everyone who came out to Calling on the Widow! Your words and sympathies were deeply appreciated!
04/11/2026

Thank you to everyone who came out to Calling on the Widow! Your words and sympathies were deeply appreciated!

Visitors wishing to pay their respects and call upon Mrs. Steele in the House of the Singing Winds are invited today bet...
04/11/2026

Visitors wishing to pay their respects and call upon Mrs. Steele in the House of the Singing Winds are invited today between the hours of 1 and 4 o’clock.

Getting ready for tomorrow afternoon! Which friend of the Steeles’ would you most like to portray? Or you can come as yo...
04/10/2026

Getting ready for tomorrow afternoon! Which friend of the Steeles’ would you most like to portray? Or you can come as yourself, or a former student, or an IU undergrad, a fellow artist, a patron, a Brown County neighbor…the possibilities are infinite.

The funeral wreath will be placed on the front door of the House at noon to signify a house in mourning. Calling on the Widow begins at 1pm and finishes at 4pm.

It's almost time! Calling on the Widow is THIS Saturday, April 11, from 1-4pm!We're so excited! Are you dressing up? You...
04/09/2026

It's almost time! Calling on the Widow is THIS Saturday, April 11, from 1-4pm!

We're so excited! Are you dressing up? You don't have to, but if you want to we'll love it and may take pictures! Some of our staff will be in costume, others will not be.

What you need to know:

* Regular site admission is $4/adults & $2/youth between 1-4pm on this day. Indiana State Museum Members get a discount. Admission is available online or at the door.

*We will not be offering regular building tours at 1:15 or 3:15pm on Saturday. If you would like a regular tour on Saturday, 10:15am is our only option that day.

*Site staff will be on hand to guide you in the creation of a sympathy note and/or an funereal armband in the Visitor Center, then walk you to the House to introduce you to Mrs. Steele and her sister, Miss Neubacher. If you would like to portray a historical figure known to the Steeles, we'll have options for you! If you'd prefer to be yourself, that's a great choice too.

* When you visit you will have a chance to see the living room of the House of the Singing Winds where you will visit with Selma Steele and her sister Edith Neubacher (played by two of our site staff; the real Mrs. Steele and Miss Neubacher passed away years ago). Since you will be visiting a bereaved widow and her sister, this is not the time to ask to see the rest of the House or ask biographical questions. Don't worry, we'll give you notes on what to say. Save your questions for your visit in the Studio!

*After your visit in the House you'll be asked to leave a flower on Mr. Steele's grave. It is important that you do this! We're taking a picture of the accumulated flowers at the end of the day--we think Mr. and Mrs. Steele would have liked this!

*After your visit to the cemetery you can stop by the Large Studio to see Steele's paintings and visit with our local busybody, the Nosy Neighbor, who can fill you in on any burning questions you might have!

*When you have visited with Selma and Edith, visited the family cemetery and visited the Large Studio, we hope you will enjoy the glorious gardens and grounds left to us all by Selma and T.C. Steele! The site will close at 5pm as usual.

We are hoping for a good turnout! We hope to see you! Please remember that community is what helps us all through hard times. Visits like this can seem daunting, but you'll be glad you went.

Address

4220 T. C. Steele Road
Nashville, IN
47448

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+18129882785

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