Bonniebrook Homestead

Bonniebrook Homestead is a 19th century property on 172 acres in Walnut Shade featuring a reconstructed 14-room main house, an art gallery, and a museum set within natural grounds. The buildings house collections and a research library serving visitors interested in the site's history and artistic significance.

The original building was destroyed by fire in 1947, but the Bonniebrook Historical Society reconstructed the homestead structure in 1993. This restoration preserved the memory of the O'Neill family and their life at this location.

This property was the home of Rose O'Neill, a groundbreaking illustrator who created the Kewpie dolls and championed women's rights through her creative work. Her artistic legacy remains visible throughout the grounds, reflecting her passions and values.

The property is accessible from April through October, reached via U.S. Route 65, with grounds requiring comfortable walking. Plan time to explore both the buildings and the surrounding natural areas at a leisurely pace.

Rose O'Neill became America's highest-paid female illustrator by 1914, and her Kewpie dolls became a worldwide phenomenon. This financial success allowed her to design and operate the Bonniebrook property entirely on her own terms.