The Inn at Irwin Gardens is a stunning Edwardian mansion built by a family of bankers in 1864 in Columbus, Indiana. The mansion has undergone various transformations over the years to accommodate four generations of the Irwin family. In 1910, William G. Irwin hired Henry A. Phillips, a Massachusetts architect, to create the current mansion with intricate details throughout the house that reflect European estates. The old brick exterior was covered by tapestry brick with stone trim, new chimneys were added, and the roof was recovered in slate, creating a more spacious third floor. A raised terrace was added to connect the mansion to the adjoining garden on the east.
The two-acre property’s highlight is the garden, based on the Casa degli Innamorati in Pompeii. The maze features several fountains and a long pool, which form the focal point of a lowered sunken garden. A statue is placed under the center arch of the garden house designed from a lakeside structure at the Villa of Hadrian at Tivoli, Italy. Pompeian murals accent the garden house, and a tall brick wall is rounded in imitation of 16th-century gardens in Mantua, Italy. Wisteria vines on the terrace’s pergolas were planted in 1911 and continue to bloom in the spring. Only the English sundial and a Japanese bronze elephant sculpture do not follow the Italian motif.
Clessie Cummins, founder of Cummins Engine Co, served as the Irwin family’s chauffeur on this property, where he began tinkering in the garage, developing the ideas and technology for a high-speed diesel engine. With the support of William Glanton Irwin, his ideas became the cornerstone product of Cummins, Inc., now a $13 billion Fortune 500 company. W.G. Irwin’s great-nephew J. Irwin Miller, who was born and raised in this house, was President & Chairman of Cummins, and he and his wife Xenia had the vision to form the Cummins Foundation that ultimately led to the development of a treasure trove of modern architecture in Columbus, Indiana.
In conclusion, the Inn at Irwin Gardens is a testament to the Irwin family’s legacy, showcasing their wealth and influence in the community. The mansion and garden are well-preserved, giving visitors an insight into the grandeur of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Furthermore, the property’s history extends beyond the family, with Cummins Engine Co. founder Clessie Cummins conducting his research here, leading to the development of the high-speed diesel engine that revolutionized the industry. Cummins’ founder and J. Irwin Miller, who was raised on this property, played an instrumental role in developing Columbus, Indiana’s modern architecture scene, shaping the town’s identity and attracting visitors. The Inn at Irwin Gardens stands as a remarkable historical landmark and a testament to the region’s wealth and influence.
Posted by dockerdee64 on 2016-09-06 22:06:39