From Trails to Museums: Experience Indiana’s Cool North Heritage
Posted on October 1, 2025 by Dina Miller
Indiana’s Cool North is rich with history, offering travelers a journey through time. Explore historic sites like the Barker Mansion and Buckley Homestead, wander scenic heritage trails in Amish Country and Indiana Dunes Indigenous Cultural Trail. Celebrate diverse ethnic heritage through cultural events, museums, and community festivals, while strolling charming small towns. From Native American roots to immigrant influences, history and culture come alive across this northern Indiana region.
Historic Elegance in a Beaux-Arts Gem: The Ruthmere Experience
Ruthmere Museum in Elkhart, is a Beaux-Arts mansion built in 1910 by Albert and Elizabeth Beardsley. Designed by architect E. Hill Turnock, the home features silk wall coverings, hand-carved woodwork, and painted murals. Its fine art collection includes works by Rodin, Tiffany, and vintage automobiles. The museum is part of the Ruthmere Campus, which also includes the Havilah Beardsley House, built in 1848 by the city’s founder.
For information on nearby lodging. Request a destination guide for Elkhart County.
- 65 Minutes to Michigan City
- 72 Minutes to Indiana Dunes
- 87 Minutes to South Shore
