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  • “DSC0791 Captures the Beauty of Irwin Gardens”

    Irwin Gardens _DSC0791

    The Inn at Irwin Gardens in Columbus, Indiana is a 1910 Edwardian mansion that was originally built by a family of bankers. The 13,000-square-foot home, designed in an Italianate style, was enlarged and redesigned several times over the years to accommodate generations of the Irwin family. The mansion was the work of Massachusetts architect Henry A. Phillips, hired by William G. Irwin in 1910. The mansion has intricate woodwork and moldings throughout that are reminiscent of European estates. The exterior was covered in tapestry brick with stone trim and new chimneys were added. The roof was recovered in slate and the pitch was altered to provide more space on the third floor. The east side of the home now has a raised terrace that leads to the adjoining Garden.

    The two-acre property is famous for its Italianate garden based on the Casa degli Innamorati in Pompeii. The garden features several fountains and a pool at the center. There is a statue under the center arch of the garden house designed from a lakeside structure at the Villa of Hadrian at Tivoli, Italy. The garden house also has Pompeian murals that accent the space. The tall brick wall is rounded in the manner of 16th-century gardens in Mantua, Italy. The terrace’s pergolas have wisteria vines that were planted in 1911 and bloom in the spring. The only two items that do not follow the Italian motif are the English sundial and a Japanese bronze elephant sculpture.

    Clessie Cummins, founder of Cummins Engine Co., once served as chauffeur to the Irwin family. Clessie first began ‘tinkering’ in the Irwin mansion’s garage, where he developed the ideas and technology for a high-speed diesel engine. With the backing of William Glanton Irwin, his ideas became the cornerstone product of Cummins, Inc., a $13 billion Fortune 500 company. William G. Irwin’s great-nephew and the son of Clessie’s boss, J. Irwin Miller, was born and raised in the mansion. Miller went on to become President and Chairman of Cummins and he and his wife Xenia formed the Cummins Foundation that ultimately led to the development of a trove of modern architecture in Columbus, Indiana.

    Posted by dockerdee64 on 2016-09-06 22:06:31

  • “Irwin Gardens’ Door Inn: Captured Through DSC0799_edited-1”

    Door Inn at Irwin Gardens_DSC0799_edited-1

    The Inn at Irwin Gardens is a magnificent 13,000-square-foot Italianate mansion in Columbus, Indiana, built in 1864 by banker and businessman Joseph I. Irwin. The home was remodeled in 1880 and enlarged and redesigned over the years to accommodate four generations of the Irwin family. In 1910, a Massachusetts architect named Henry A. Phillips was hired by William G. Irwin to create the current mansion, which features intricate fine woodwork and moldings throughout the house and a tapestry brick exterior with stone trim. The roof was recovered in slate and the pitch altered to provide a more spacious third floor. A raised terrace was added on the east to link the home to the adjoining garden.

    The garden on the two-acre property is the highlight, featuring a maze based on the Casa degli Innamorati in Pompeii, several fountains, and a long pool in a lowered sunken garden. There is a statue under the center arch of the garden house designed from a lakeside structure at the Villa of Hadrian in Tivoli, Italy, and Pompeian murals accent the garden house. A tall brick wall is rounded in imitation of 16th-century gardens in Mantua, Italy, and 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, which is a replica of one at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair pavilion, do not follow the Italian motif.

    Clessie Cummins, founder of Cummins Engine Co., served as chauffeur to the Irwin family and developed the ideas and technology for a high-speed diesel engine in the garage on the Irwin Gardens property. With the backing 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, along with his wife Xenia, had the vision to form the Cummins Foundation, which ultimately led to the development of a trove of modern architecture in Columbus, Indiana.

    Posted by dockerdee64 on 2016-09-06 22:06:27

  • “DSC0782: A Glimpse of Irwin Gardens in 1910”

    Irwin Gardens (1910) _DSC0782

    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

  • “DSC0779 Captures the Magnificence of Irwin Gardens”

    Irwin Gardens _DSC0779

    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

  • Irwin Gardens’ Door Inn captured in DSC0799.

    Door Inn at Irwin GardensDSC0799

    The Inn at Irwin Gardens is a stunning 13,000-square-foot home and Italianate garden located in Columbus, Indiana. Originally built in 1864 by Joseph I. Irwin, a local banker and businessman, the home has been expanded and remodeled over the years to accommodate four generations of the Irwin family. In 1910, the current mansion was built by Massachusetts architect Henry A. Phillips. The exterior features tapestry brick with stone trim, several new chimneys, and a slate roof. The interior boasts extensive fine woodwork and moldings that resemble a European estate.

    The star of the property is the two-acre garden, which is based on the Casa degli Innamorati in Pompeii. The garden features several fountains, a long pool, and a lowered sunken garden. The center arch of the garden house holds a statue that was designed from a lakeside structure at the Villa of Hadrian in Tivoli, Italy. Pompeian murals adorn 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. The garden also features an English sundial and a Japanese bronze elephant sculpture that is a replica of one at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair pavilion.

    The Irwin family had many influential connections. Clessie Cummins, founder of Cummins Engine Co., served as the family’s chauffeur and began ‘tinkering’ in the garage on the property. With the backing of William Glanton Irwin, Clessie developed the technology for a high-speed diesel engine, which became the cornerstone product of Cummins, Inc. J. Irwin Miller, W.G. Irwin’s great-nephew and former resident of the mansion, was President and Chairman of Cummins and his wife Xenia formed the Cummins Foundation, which led to the development of modern architecture in Columbus, Indiana.

    Visitors to The Inn at Irwin Gardens can expect to be transported back in time to a bygone era of opulence and elegance. The home’s rich history and stunning architecture, as well as the meticulously maintained gardens, make for a truly unforgettable experience.

    Posted by dockerdee64 on 2016-09-06 22:06:26