About the Wylie House

Wylie House, circa May 1872.

The Wylie House was built in 1835 by Andrew Wylie, Indiana University’s first president. Andrew Wylie and his wife Margaret moved to Bloomington, Indiana from Pennsylvania in 1828. With them they brought multiple wagons full of essentials, and some sentimental items, for them and their children. Until their “mansion on the hill” was built, they rented a house near the State Seminary which was Indiana University’s original campus. Their new home was a working farm with about 20 acres for orchards, crop farming, and animal raising.

Around 1859, Andrew and Rebecca had passed away so the Wylie House and its 20 acres were divided up between Wylie Relatives. Theophilus A. Wylie, Andrew’s cousin, acquired the house and the surrounding five acres. Theophilus and his family lived in the home until he and his wife Rebecca both passed away.

Professor Theophilius Wylie and his family were interested in beautifying their five acres and growing less practical plants compared to the animal raising and farming his cousin Andrew did on the property before. This is a great example of the transition from large scale agriculture to floriculture in Bloomington.