Ruthmere Mansion (Elkhart IN): Your Guide to a Fascinating Tour

Explore Ruthmere Mansion, where stunning Beaux-Arts architecture meets a rich slice of Elkhart, Indiana’s history. With our detailed behind-the-scenes tour overview, uncover what makes this historic home a must-visit, from its unique design details to the highlights of each room!

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It all began with Dr. Havilah Beardsley, a key figure in early Elkhart, who saw potential in the land where the St. Joseph and Elkhart Rivers meet. He set up a rope ferry, built six mills, and constructed Elkhart’s first brick house, laying the groundwork for the city’s future. (You can tour the Havilah Beardsley House as well.)

In the early 1900s, Dr. Beardsley’s nephew, Albert R. Beardsley, and his wife, Elizabeth Baldwin Beardsley, built the grand Beaux-Arts mansion. Albert, a successful businessman who co-founded Miles Laboratories (famous for Alka-Seltzer), and Elizabeth, who loved entertaining, made Ruthmere a social hub. They named the mansion in memory of their only daughter, Ruth, who passed away in infancy from water on the brain.

After Albert and Elizabeth, the mansion was home to Albert’s nephew, Arthur, and his wife, Stella. They modernized the house with updates like an elevator and a new kitchen pantry.

When Arthur and Stella passed away, the Deputy family moved in. They were the first to raise children at Ruthmere—six boys! Eventually, the mansion was sold to the Beardsley Foundation, which restored it as a museum. Today, Ruthmere is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and continues to showcase its rich history and architectural beauty.

Game Room

Our tour began with a short history film in the lower-level game room, which features Cuban mahogany woodwork, Egyptian velvet, and leatherette wall coverings.

There’s also a tunnel from the game room to the greenhouse conservatory where Elizabeth raised exotic plants.

Albert’s Library

Albert, ever cautious about fires, allowed only one wood-burning fireplace in the entire mansion, placing it in his favorite room. This room is a treasure trove of remarkable details, including a Georgia marble fireplace, rich Cuban mahogany woodwork, and stunning stained glass windows. You’ll also find sculptures by Auguste Rodin, elegant Tiffany lamps, a soldier’s chair, and a functioning stereopticon viewer.

The family’s annunciator call box, once used to signal staff, is outside the library—though it sadly no longer works.

French Drawing Room

The French Drawing Room features several standout pieces, including the Aurora ceiling mural, the beautifully book-matched wood grain above the fireplace, and a sculpted pomegranate—symbolizing wealth and prosperity. Look closely, and you’ll find over 280 pomegranates subtly woven into the design, both inside and outside the mansion.

Entrance Hallway

One of the highlights of our visit was hearing the choralcelo in action—a fascinating instrument that combines a piano, organ, player piano, and player organ all in one. Out of the 100 ever made, only two survive today—this one and another in Colorado Springs. When it plays, the music comes up through the floor grates in Albert’s library, and you can feel the vibrations. It’s all powered by 1,700 pipes downstairs in the pipe room, which makes the sound even more impressive.

The entryway also showcases elegantly stylized pomegranates intricately incorporated into the woodwork and burlap art. The stunning stained glass windows, designed by Enoch Hill Turnock, perfectly showcase the clean lines and elegance of the Beaux-Arts style.

Kitchen and Butler’s Quarters

The “butler’s quarters,” though they never actually had a butler—just a maid and cook—showcased their fine china and impressive teapot collection.

Dining Room

The original table and chairs sit beneath a dazzling Tiffany chandelier, while the intricately carved ceiling is a replica of an Italian design that the Beardsleys cherished.

Upstairs Landing

The ceiling skylight is set into the floor of the third floor above, where it gets natural light from yet another skylight. Our guide also showed us that the scrolls on the handrail pull out to access the upper floor’s electrical system and water pipes. Albert even installed an internal vacuum system—definitely ahead of his time!

Elizabeth Beardsley’s Sitting Room and Bedroom

Elizabeth Beardsley’s favorite spot was the sitting room, with its perfect view of the rivers converging. I have to say, it quickly became my favorite, too!

The walls are covered in pink silk wallpaper inspired by the opulence of the Palace of Versailles in France.

Pomegranates are subtly woven into the room’s design—you’ll spot them above the bed, in the corners, and within the decorative plasterwork.

The fireplace is another highlight, featuring Georgia marble and elegantly detailed plasterwork.

En Suite Bathroom

Albert Beardsley’s Bedroom

This wall safe remained sealed for over 100 years until somebody found the combination in some old papers. When it was finally opened, everyone was eager to see what was inside—but it turned out to be empty!

If you look closely at the doorways, you’ll notice screws around the frames. Albert used to tighten them in the winter when the wood contracted and loosen them in the summer when it swelled, ensuring the doors always fit perfectly, no matter the season.

Guest Room

Most of the furnishings in the guest room, including the painting on the wall, are original to the house. The guest room also has its own bathroom with stunning tilework.

Garage

The garage initially housed Albert Beardsley’s 1918 Cadillac. It featured a unique wooden turntable that could rotate cars 180 degrees—an ingenious solution for vehicles without reverse gear at the time.

Today, the garage proudly houses three vintage cars: a 1912 Pratt Forty, a 1914 Milburn Electric, and a 1917 Cadillac.

Gardens of Ruthmere

Seasonal Quilt Garden

The 2024 Quilt Garden design takes its cue from the four stained glass windows on the east façade of the historic Beardsley carriage house. Showcasing a vibrant mix of begonias and green FloraMia limon lacy potato vines, the garden beautifully mirrors the windows’ colorful essence.

Greenhouse

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