The estate is one of the few remaining examples of the American Country Place era in the United States.
The mansion was designed by architect Lewis Ketcham Davis.
The gardens were originally designed by the renowned landscape architecture firm Percival Gallagher of the Olmsted Brothers.
The house served as the primary residence for J.K. Lilly Jr. from 1933 until his death in 1966.
The property contains a 'Ravine Garden' which uses indigenous plants to create a naturalistic, woodland aesthetic.
Oldfields was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2003.
The estate was donated to the Art Association of Indianapolis by the Lilly family in 1966.
The Lilly House interior was extensively restored to reflect its 1930s appearance.
Oldfields–Lilly House & Gardens is a National Historic Landmark estate located on the campus of Newfields. The property features a 1913 French Chateau-style mansion that serves as a preserved house museum, showcasing the lifestyle of the J.K. Lilly Jr. family. The surrounding 26-acre grounds are designed in the American Country Place era style, incorporating formal gardens, meadows, and woodlands. Originally known as 'Oldfields,' the estate was home to Josiah K. Lilly Jr., a prominent philanthropist and pharmaceutical executive. The gardens feature a distinctive ravine garden, a lush lawn, and an allée of trees. As part of the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields, the estate bridges historical architecture with contemporary cultural programming. It provides an authentic look at early 20th-century residential landscape architecture in the Midwest. Visitors can explore the interior of the home to view period-accurate furnishings and art collections.
The central fountain and formal garden terrace looking back toward the Lilly House façade.
Walk the wooded trails along the canal for a quieter experience than the formal gardens.
Check the Newfields calendar for seasonal flower bloom schedules before arrival.
Combine your visit with the nearby Indianapolis Museum of Art galleries located on the same campus.
Do not overlook the garden pathways that extend beyond the main mansion lawn, as many visitors mistakenly limit their visit to the house exterior.
Closed on Mondays.
Maintain a respectful tone inside the house museum; flash photography is prohibited indoors to protect antique textiles.
