Ruthmere Mansion

Ruthmere Mansion is a three-story residence in Elkhart featuring buff-colored Belden brick walls, Indiana limestone trim, and a marble portico at the main entrance. The Beaux-Arts structure displays classical proportions and ornamental details characteristic of this architectural style.

The mansion was designed in 1910 by architect Enoch Hill Turnock for the Beardsley family, who resided there through the 1920s. It represents a period when affluent families in the Midwest commissioned elaborate residential estates.

The mansion displays Cuban mahogany, hand-painted Italian murals, and silk wall coverings that reflect early 20th-century American design tastes. These details reveal the wealth and cosmopolitan preferences of the family who called it home.

The house operates as a museum and can be visited through guided tours that provide insight into the rooms and their history. The art reference library is available to visitors who arrange visits in advance.

The name combines "Ruth," the daughter of the original residents, with "mere," referencing its location near the St. Joseph River. The house retains much of its original furniture from 1910, allowing visitors to see how it was arranged when first furnished.