The Inn at Irwin Gardens is a stunning 1910 Edwardian mansion in the heart of Columbus, Indiana. Originally built in 1864 by Joseph I. Irwin, a local banker and businessman, the Italianate design was remodeled in 1880 and subsequently expanded and redesigned to accommodate four generations of the Irwin family. In 1910, William G. Irwin hired Massachusetts architect Henry A. Phillips to create the magnificent mansion we see today, complete with intricate fine woodwork and moldings reminiscent of a European estate. The exterior was updated with tapestry brick and stone trim, and new chimneys were added for added grandeur. The roof was recovered in slate and the pitch was altered to provide more space on the third floor.
Perhaps the highlight of the two-acre property is the Italianate garden, inspired by the Casa degli Innamorati in Pompeii. Water features, including several fountains and a long pool, form the central focus of the sunken garden. A statue located under the center arch of the garden house was designed from a structure at the Villa of Hadrian in Tivoli, Italy, while Pompeian murals decorate the walls. A tall brick wall is rounded in imitation of 16th-century gardens in Mantua, Italy. Wisteria vines cover the terrace’s pergolas that were planted in 1911 and continue to bloom every spring. The only non-Italian inspired elements of the garden are an English sundial and a Japanese bronze elephant sculpture that is a replica of one from the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair pavilion.
The Inn at Irwin Gardens holds a special place in the heart of the Cummins family, who were closely connected to the Irwin family through their automotive and engineering businesses. Clessie Cummins, founder of Cummins Engine Co., served as a chauffeur to the Irwin family and first began tinkering with engines in the garage of the Irwin estate, developing the ideas and technology for a high-speed diesel engine that would become the cornerstone product of Cummins, Inc. Today, Cummins is a Fortune 500 company worth $13 billion. W.G. Irwin’s great-nephew J. Irwin Miller, who was born and raised in the Irwin mansion, went on to become President and Chairman of Cummins and, along with his wife Xenia, established the Cummins Foundation that led to the development of the modern architecture in Columbus, Indiana.
Overall, the Inn at Irwin Gardens is a stunning example of Edwardian architecture and Italianate garden design that offers a glimpse into the history of the Irwin and Cummins families and their lasting impact on Columbus, Indiana. Whether you’re a history buff or simply looking for a unique and memorable vacation experience, the Inn at Irwin Gardens is not to be missed.
Posted by dockerdee64 on 2016-09-06 22:06:36