Modern Architecture Extravaganza: Trip to Columbus, Indiana

Over the weekend, a few of us took a day trip to the 6^th most architecturally significant city in America: Columbus, Indiana. Since beginning grad school at IU, I have been pleasantly surprised by all of the goodness and culture that Indiana has to offer; a booming farmer’s market, amazing restaurants, yoga sessions in the IU art museum, and more festivals, concerts, and film screenings than you could ever ask for. But Columbus, Indiana took my new found love of the Hoosier state to a whole 'nother level.  

Back in the 40s, J. Irwin Miller (a Columbus native and CEO of Cummins Engine Company) was able to persuade some of the biggest names in architecture to begin designing churches, office buildings, schools, homes, and even a library in this small farming community.  Some of the famous architects and artists whose famous work can be seen around town are Eliel Saarinen, Eero Saarinen, I.M. Pei, Henry Moore, Harry Weese, and Dan Kiley.

Lucky for us, Columbus offers tours of the town, including interior tours of such buildings as Eliel Saarinen’s First Christian Church, and the Cleo Rogers Memorial Library, which was designed by I.M. Pei. 

The library is a large, open space with high ceilings and plenty of natural light. There is even an interior garden on the second floor loft. 

   Exterior shot of the Library with Henry Moore Bronze sculpture

Airy and bright -- this is the back half of the library

Art librarians posing in front of the library

After our city tour, I took a tour of the J. Irwin Miller home, which was designed by Eero Saarinen. The tour of the Miller home was especially interesting to me because of a trip SALS took to the IMA back in May. It was then that we learned that the museum had recently acquired the Miller Home and Garden Archives, and were just beginning to sort through the correspondence, cards, and architectural plans. What a wonderful job that archivist has!

No photography was allowed at the Miller residence, but I can tell you that it was absolutely stunning.

Overall, we had a great day exploring Columbus and learning all about its interesting design history. I can't wait to go back!

If you want to read more about Columbus's history, check out these links:

Smithsonian Magazine
Chicago Tribune