Elkhart Indiana, An Art and Cultural Center

This is turning into an Indiana summer for me! With a trip to Elkhart, Indiana, I am finding myself in the beautiful Hoosier state again and again for good reason!

Recently on a hosted trip I was in Elkhart County, Indiana, with a wonderful group of Midwest Travel Network travel bloggers. Hosted by the Elkhart County CVB, in the city of Elkhart, I found a lot to love.

The Hotel Elkhart

While we traveled around Elkhart County, our base was the Hotel Elkhart. Denita Henry, general manager made us all feel welcome. This hotel is part of the Hilton Tapestry Collection. It is the only full-service boutique hotel in downtown Elkhart. Hotel Elkhart is located one block from the historic Lerner Theatre. The hotel boasts dining at the Relish Cafe and Corner Bar, along with the rooftop bar, The High Note. I had breakfast at the Relish and dinner at the wonderful Corner Bar, both restaurants were superb.

My room, one of 93 guest rooms, was cozy and comfortable with a great bathroom. Across the street they offer beautiful murals. The Hotel just had their grand reopening on September 28, 2021.The property was originally constructed as a hotel in 1923. They featured a coffee shop, restaurant and various meeting spaces. During its operation they served famous people like Ed Sullivan and Robert Kennedy!

Lerner Theatre

Dinner for our first evening we dined at the Corner Bar at the Hotel Elkhart. Mayor Rob Roberson joins us. We were all amazed when he invited us to see “Weird Al” Yankovic,. He is a comedic musician, that was performing at the Lerner Theatre. We planned on touring it later in the week, but Mayor Rob said we should see it in action as a contrast! We watched in the beautiful theatre to a full house.

Later we toured this historic theater which, Michelle Frank, general manager said first opened in 1924. Eventually it became the Elco theatre, then the Elco sold it to the City of Elkhart. Thankfully it was preserved and didn’t hit the wrecking ball like so many!

The theater first opened with Vaudeville acts and early motion pictures. During my hosted visit to Elkhart County Indiana this was one of my favorite stops. We learned that the Lerner was restored in 2011. No tax money was used. “Ten million came from the city, and ten million from the community,” Michelle shared.

The theatre is paired with the Crystal Ballroom, which is open for receptions and events! The Lerner is also a mini art museum with art provided by the nearby Midwest Museum of American Art. The Lerner is open is open to tour by appointment.

Ruthmere Museum Campus

I’m a big fan of historic homes. I was thrilled when Bill Firstenberger, the Executive Director took us on a tour of the Ruthmere mansion! The Ruthmere house was built by Albert Beardsley, of the Miles Laboratory of Alka seltzer fame. His Uncle, Dr. Havilah Beardsley was of the founder of the city of Elkhart. In 1838, Dr. Beardsley, purchased land at the junction of the St. Joseph and Elkhart Rivers. The land was purchased from the Indian Chief, Pierre Moran. According to the website, “With this $1,500.00 purchase, Beardsley founded the City of Elkhart, so named because an island at the rivers’ conflux was believed to resemble an elk’s heart.”

While we did not go in it, the Havilah Beardsley House is also open to tour.

The Ruthmere House was built in 1910. It is in the Beaux Art style. The house is named after Albert and Elizabeth’s infant daughter Ruth that passed. They added Mere, which means near water to the name. Inside there are beautiful artworks like Rodin-bronzes, Tiffany art glass, and more.

At the end of the tour, we saw lovely vintage automobiles!

Recently Andrea “Dree” Barbour wrote a children’s book titled Follow the Mousleys. The book is about the friendly mouse couple who live beneath the garden shed at Ruthmere.

At Ruthmere, they offer concerts inside and outside the mansion. The campus is a beehive of activity!

Wellfield Botanic Gardens & Epic Art Adventures Quilt Gardens

The Wellfield Botanic Garden is a success story. Eric Garton, executive director shared how this area was once a local public playground that needed a bit of assistance. When the Elkhart Rotary Club celebrated 100 years in 2005, they undertook raising funds for the master garden plan. Since then, in 2006, the project took off. With 13 active wells onsite this is the water base for the city, so it is an important water source besides being a public garden. The garden is breathtakingly beautiful with a mix of art and landscaping, it is a great place to stretch your legs and get out in nature in the center of the city!

Besides the children’s garden, Japanese garden and more, currently visitors can enjoy the Epic Art Adventures Quilt Garden out front with a lovely Monet statue by Seward Johnson as well! This year Elkhart County is celebrating 15 years of the Epic Art Adventures Quilt Gardens.

The Midwest Museum of American Art

The Midwest Museum of American Art is located directly across the street from the Hotel Elkhart! The bloggers got the chance to head over and tour this wonderful museum situated in a former renovated neo-classical bank. Brian Byrn the curator and director of the museum shared information with us about the collection with coffee and donuts to boot!

The collection is a wonderful mix-based Midwest art collection of the 19th and 20th century. The collection started with Jane Burns and her husband’s original art collection and went from there. With a few original Grant Wood and Norman Rockwell paintings, the collection is expansive. They also have a huge Overbeck pottery collection as well! Currently there is a great photography exhibit ongoing.

What I really loved though is that they have a lot of educational talks and presentations, and they also offer art education to school age children each week!

There is also a River Walk and tons to do in the surrounding area. Hotel Elkhart is a great place to stay to be in the heart of Elkhart, Indiana and Elkhart County. The Hoosier state has so much going on. With Fort Wayne not too far away and Jay County just a hop skip and a jump away, it is easy to plan a long stay and have a Hoosier break!