Indiana LogoIndiana Black and White Logo
Favorites
Home
  • Best of Indiana

    Best of Indiana

    • The Twenty in 20 Lists
    • State Nature Passport
    • You Voted - See the Winners!

    VIDEOS

    • Katie's Home-State Adventures
  • Things To Do

    Attractions

    • Museums
    • Historic Sites
    • Entertainment
    • Music, Art & Theater
    • Cities & Downtowns
    • Tours
    • Zoos
    • Sacred Places
    • Amusement & Water Parks
    • Casinos & Gaming
    • Spas
    • Themed Trails
    • Roadside Attractions

    Outdoors & Sports

    • State Parks & Gardens
    • Outdoor Recreation
    • Farms & Orchards
    • Lakes & Water Sports
    • Hiking & Biking Trails
    • Motorsports & Sports Teams
    • Golf
    • Ziplining
    • Camping
    • Horseback Riding

    Shopping

    • Made in Indiana
    • Antiques & Flea Markets
    • Sweet Treats & Food
    • Home & Gifts
    • Downtown Shopping
    • Outlets & Malls
    • Artisans & Handcrafts
    • Farmers Markets

    Visitor Services

    • Visitor Centers
    • Convention & Visitors Bureaus
    • Chambers of Commerce
    • Associations / Councils

    Agritourism

    • Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries
    • Seasonal U-Picks
    • Trails & Tours
    • Farming, Growing & Eating

    On a Budget?

    • Discounts
    • FREE Things to Do
  • Road Trips
  • Tourney Time
  • Events

    Events & Festivals

    • Holiday & Season Celebrations
    • History & Cultural Festivals
    • Fairs & City Festivals
    • Music & Dance
    • Arts & Crafts
    • Theater & Movies
    • Food, Beer & Wine
    • Nature & Outdoors
    • Sports & Competitions
    • Vehicles & Collectors
    • Antiques & Shopping
    • Families & Kids

    On a Budget?

    • FREE Admission
  • Lodging

    Lodging

    • Hotels / Motels
    • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns
    • Campgrounds
    • Cabins
    • Resorts / Lodges
    • Vacation Rentals

    On a Budget?

    • Lodging Discounts
  • Food & Drink

    Food & Drink

    • Restaurants
    • Wineries
    • Breweries
    • Food Tours
    • Fresh Markets
    • Distilleries
    • Event Venues

    On a Budget?

    • Discounts
  • Brochures
  • Contests
  • Discounts
  • Blog
  • About Indiana
  • Contact Us
  • Email Subscribe
  • For the Media
  • For Travel Professionals
  • Hoosiers by Choice
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Indiana Insider Blog
  • Kokomo’s Seiberling Mansion– Christmas Delight

Kokomo's Seiberling Mansion-- Christmas Delight

By Visit Indiana on December 10, 2014
Back

Beautiful Seiberling Mansion at Christmas!
Beautiful Seiberling Mansion at Christmas!

If you want to experience a breathtakingly beautiful home decorated for the holidays, tour the Seiberling Mansion in Kokomo.

With 20 rooms and just about that many Christmas trees the home that was built during Kokomo’s gas boom in late 1800s is practically a castle.

One of many decorated trees in the Seiberling in December.
One of many decorated trees in the Seiberling in December.

In its early years the house was used as a private residence. Later, it became part of the Indiana University campus in Kokomo. When a new campus was built in town in the 1960s, the house sat abandoned until 1972 when the Howard County Historical Society renovated it and opened it as a museum.

What immediately struck my husband and me as we arrived to tour the Seiberling was its immense front porch! Seriously, it would be large enough to host a good-sized class reunion– in warmer weather of course!

Oak, cherry and other woods fill the Seiberling.
Oak, cherry and other woods fill the Seiberling.

At Christmas the Seiberling is adorned with holiday décor on three floors. As if the period antiques and various types of wood trim in the house are not impressive enough— oak, cherry, Red oaks, even on the ceiling! – the lights, boughs of greenery and often whimsical bits of nostalgic holiday touches make it seem like an inviting place to curl up before a fire and listen to melodies on the piano in the music room.

Piano room at Seiberling contains old photos from an earlier era.
Piano room at Seiberling contains old photos from an earlier era.

The second floor contains bedrooms and collections of Kokomo’s automotive history (Chrysler, Hupmobile and Delco plants have been located there). Informative cue cards are helpful throughout the building with displays and unique parts of the structure, including the Butler’s pantry. Think Downton Abbey!

The third floor was where people played–I should say danced–as the house has its own ballroom. How smart was that, especially since Seiberling’s two daughters had their wedding receptions in the ballroom!

I want to play with these miniatures!
I want to play with these miniatures!

Today, the ballroom contains a military display of items from citizens of Kokomo. There is also a charming miniature town that replicates Kokomo during the Seiberling’s heyday during the gas boom.

Check out the phonograph player in back of this fake piano!
Check out the phonograph player in back of this fake piano!

One other item I found interesting that is not holiday-related in the mansion is the unusual phonograph player. If you remember ugly square cases for record players, you’ll appreciate the elegant way this one is housed – in the back of this pseudo baby grand!

Parking is along the side of the building. Self-guided tours are available or by a museum official for a fee. There is a small gift shop. This would be a fun place to take a ladies group, family outing or history group.

The Seiberling Mansion/Howard County Historical Museum is located west of downtown Kokomo.

December hours: Tuesday-Sunday 1-4 pm
The mansion is closed in January and re-opens in February.

Adults: $5.00
Senior Citizens (60+): $4
Children 12 and under: $2.00

1200 West Sycamore Street
Kokomo
765-452-4314
http://www.howardcountymuseum.org
http://www.facebook.com/hchistory

While downtown, stop for a bite at
Foxes Trail
305 South Main Street
765.450.7670

Cook McDoogal’s Irish Pub
100 North Main Street
765.450.6143
http://www.cookmcdoogals.com

or

The District
107 West Sycamore Street
765.456.3663
http://www.thedistrictkokomo.com

Map

Related Posts

No related posts.

Related Topics

  • Central
  • Family Activities
  • Historical Sites
  • Kokomo
  • Museums
  • Rural & Small Towns

Featured Post

Rebuilt & Reinvented: This Small-Town Favorite is an All New Restaurant

Featured Trip Idea

Couples: Top 8 Indiana Getaways

SIGN UP FOR UPDATES

Follow Along the Indiana Insider Blog

Get the latest blog posts to your inbox

SAVINGS

DISCOUNTS

Coupons and Special Deals

THINGS TO DO

THINGS TO DO

Plan Your Getaway

Explore VisitIndiana.com
  • Things to Do
  • Lodging
  • Food & Drink
  • Events
  • Trip Ideas
  • Discounts
  • Discounts
  • Best of Indiana
  • Brochures
  • Enter Contests
  • Local Contact Information
  • About Indiana
Other Links
  • About IDDC
  • Contact Us
  • For Media
  • For Travel Professionals
  • For Teachers
  • VisitIndianaGolf.com
  • Film Indiana
Blog Disclosure

This blog reflects the opinions of those writing and commenting and not necessarily the view opinions or endorsements of the Lieutenant Governor of the State of Indiana.

 

FTC Disclosure

Follow Us

Indiana Destination Development Corporation

 

One North Capitol Suite 600, Indianapolis, IN 46204
(800) 677-9800

 

© Copyright 2014-2020

 

Privacy Policy