The Lanier Mansion is in downtown Madison near several other historic homes. A stroll through the area provides unique shopping opportunities as well as a view of the Madison Historic District. Special activities include a living history event, Lanier Days, in June, and candlelight tours in November and December.
Special Events 2008
Event Fair: May 4; 2 - 5 p.m.
This is the second annual event fair on the lawn of the historic Lanier Mansion State Historic Site, the "crown jewel" of Madison, Indiana. Tickets are $5 per person. This event is includes a wide variety of vendors, a fashion show, door prizes, food, music, and more.
Lanier Days: June 2008
Night Spirits: October 2008, 7 - 9 p.m.
Spirits from Madison’s past will roam the grounds of the Lanier Mansion during “Night Spirits.” Designed for adults, the program features six ghostly actors who recount some interesting true stories from Madison’s past. Participants will hear about John G. Marshall challenging Senator Jesse D. Bright to a duel in August 1852; the brutal murder of Constable Joseph Howard by Henry Holtzclaw on May 15, 1850; the tragic drowning of J.F.D. Lanier’s son, John James, on April 20, 1836; John Lodge’s death in a bizarre train accident on November 14, 1845; steamboat disasters throughout the 19th century; and the savage stabbing of Michael C. Garber by Hamilton Hibbs in front of the Courier newspaper office on January 28, 1852.
Information for the tours was provided by Wayne Sanford of Indianapolis, who has researched Madison's history for many years. This program presents some of Madison’s surprising history in an entertaining way just right for the Halloween season! Wine and cheese will be served in the basement of the mansion after the program. Participants must be 21 or older and are encouraged to wear costumes. Admission is $10 per person, $8 for members of the Lanier Mansion Foundation. Call 812.273.0556 for reservations or more information.
Spooky Mansion: October 2008, 6 - 8 p.m.
Ghosts will walk the halls of the Lanier Mansion once again during the second annual Spooky Mansion. Creepy activities designed for children ages 4 to 10 will include trick-or-treating on the mansion’s first floor, pumpkin-decorating, ghost stories, “monsters” in the basement (provided by Phil and Anne Saxe), and wandering Civil War ghost soldiers. Admission for children and adults without children is $3 per person. Adults with children are free. All children must be accompanied by adults. This program is a collaborative effort of the Lanier Mansion Foundation, the Madison-Jefferson County Public Library, and local Civil War re-enactors. For additional information call 812.273.0556.
Candlelight Tours: TBA
The Lanier Mansion will be decorated with authentic 1850 Christmas decorations. Other Madison homes will be decorated for the holidays as well.
Spirit of Christmas Past: December 2008
This children's Christmas program will include a craft project, light refreshments, stories, and an early Victorian Santa. Admission for children is $3 each. Adults with children will be admitted free. An extra $2 fee will be charged for children to have their photo taken with Santa in the main hall of the Lanier Mansion.
For more information and event descriptions, call Site Manager Gerry Reilly at 812.273.0556.