benton house home tour

Home Tour Coffee Table Book

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We’ve reached a milestone anniversary!

The Benton House is 150 years old! Celebrate with us by donating $150 for 150 years! Will you help us?

Join Us for the 51 st Annual Tour of Homes

We are excited to showcase some of Irvington’s beautiful homes and classy cars of all kinds.

The gem in the heart of historic Irvington!

Built in 1873, on a beautifully wooded lot, The Benton House is a charming example of the Second Empire style of architecture. For twenty years, it was the home of Allen R. Benton, twice president of Butler University in Irvington.

The Irvington Historic Landmarks Foundation was formed in 1966 to oversee the purchase and restoration of The Benton House. The Benton House Association was formed in 1969 to maintain the home and arrange for its use. In 1973 the home was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Benton House is listed as an Indiana Museum and is the only house on the East Side listed in the Historic Register that is available to the public.

This ten-room brick house has fine woodwork and oak floors and was restored and furnished as a cultural, historical, social and civic center for community use.

The Benton House is maintained through the volunteer support of The Benton House Association under the administration of the Irvington Historic Landmarks Foundation. The Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization.

The historic garden is maintained by and through the generosity of the Irvington Garden Club under the supervision of master gardener Ed Myers. For more information on how you can support the Irvington Garden Club, please visit their website .

The Home Tour Coffee Table Book

Preorder now

The Tour of Homes turns fifty!

We are celebrating yet another milestone this year! Join us for the annual Home Tour on September 17th.

Become a member

Support The Benton House by becoming a member.

Weddings & Events

The beautiful backdrop of The Benton House makes any event a memorable occasion!

Photo Courtesy of Kelly Marcelo Photography

Get in touch.

Have questions? Want to schedule a tour?

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The Benton House Tour of Homes & Classy Car Show

he Benton House Association’s annual Benton House Tour of Homes and Classy Car Show will be held on Sunday, Sept. 19 from noon to 5 p.m. The oldest  consecutively run home tour in Marion County, the Benton House Tour of Homes is celebrating its 48th year with a great selection of historic and unique homes showcasing the rich history and architectural diversity of the Irvington community. Five homes will be featured in addition to the Historic Benton House at 312 S. Downey and The Bona Thompson Memorial Center at 5350 University Ave.: • 358 S. Audubon Rd. • 40 S. Ritter Ave. • 5202 E. North St. • 5601 E. St. Clair St. • 6641 Spring Brook N Dr. In addition to these properties, the historic Kile Oak, 5939 Beechwood Ave., is a suggested stop. The ancient burr oak, estimated to be well over 300 years old. It has been a “silent witness” to the growth of the city, and of the neighborhood. The Benton House will be open to viewing inside and outside will be the Classy Car Show as well as live music by Audio Diner and food donated by Shoo Buddy’s BarBQue. Built in 1873, the Benton House was once home of Butler University president Dr. Allen R. Benton. The home is available for rental for small events. The Bona Thompson Memorial Center will feature Presenting Irvington Artists, a gallery of local artists and their recent works, which will be on display (and for sale). The Madge Oberholtzer exhibit will also be available for viewing through Nov. 15. The homes on the tour are great examples of the eras of Irvington development, from the 1893 Queen Anne on Audubon to the Mid-Century ranch style on Spring Brook N. Dr. in the “Hilltop” division on the edge of Irvington. Visitors will be able to see the unique vision of the current owners, and learn a little about the history of the properties. All proceeds from the Tour & Car Show benefit the maintenance of the historic Benton House. This year, to limit contact, wristbands will be used instead of paper tickets. Also, face masks must be worn inside the homes. Tickets are $15 in advance of the tour and $20 the day of the tour. Advance tickets are available at Hampton Design & Gifts (5515 E. Washington), Central Ace Hardware (10th & Arlington), Black Sheep Gifts (5626 E. Washington) or online at thebentonhouse.org/home-tour. Tickets can be purchased at any of the tour stops on the day of the tour. Those buying their ticket with a credit card on the day of the tour need to do so at The Benton House. The annual Benton House Tour of Homes is the biggest fundraiser for the Historic Benton House. All proceeds from the tour will go directly towards the upkeep and maintenance of the house, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Proceeds from past tours have gone towards permanent signage in the front yard, a new slate roof, gutters and downspouts, new event chairs, landscaping, and foundation repairs, just to name a few.

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Indianapolis Car Shows Events

Car shows happening next in indianapolis, in, clean culture x slammedenuff indiana, 2024 freedom fest, hoosier heroes appreciation day (hhad), 9/11 freedom ride, freedom fest - freedom ride 2024, 51st tour of homes of greater irvington & classy car show sponsored by martine locke realtor, cars & gravy, 10th annual cruisin’ with cops car show, bikers / car show & fashion show (( sip and paint )) @mxp shop / sept 2nd.