A mansion, glass objects from Greentown’s industrial history, and a paved urban trail connecting parks with historic downtown Kokomo: Howard County can be explored through the many traces of its history and landscape. Architecture, glass, and nature observation offer different perspectives on the region.
History at the Seiberling Mansion
The Seiberling Mansion was built in 1891 by industrialist Monroe Seiberling. Its architecture combines Richardsonian Romanesque Revival and Queen Anne styles. If you’re interested in architectural history, you can see two named styles in a single historic house here. Since 1972, the Seiberling Mansion has been listed on the U.S. Department of the Interior’s National Register of Historic Places.
Several exhibits about the history of Howard County are on display at the Seiberling Mansion. The Howard County Historical Society campus includes the Seiberling Mansion (Howard County Museum), the Elliott House, offices and archives, and a collection of more than 60,000 artifacts. This brings exhibits on the county’s history together with a large collection and the Historical Society’s other facilities.
The Howard County Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.; check opening hours before your visit, as they may change. Free parking is behind the building and can be reached via West Walnut Street. The public entrance is at the front of the mansion; there is an access ramp at the rear entrance.
Greentown’s Glass History
The Greentown Glass Museum displays more than 2,000 pieces of glass and historical objects. The extensive exhibition places original pieces from the Indiana Tumbler and Goblet Company alongside reproductions. This makes the difference between original and replica a tangible focus of a museum visit. The company’s history provides a time and place for this comparison: the Indiana Tumbler and Goblet Company operated in Greentown from 1894 to 1903.
Trails and Nature along Wildcat Creek
The Wildcat Creek Walk of Excellence is a 3.4-mile paved urban trail connecting several parks with historic downtown Kokomo. It’s suitable for walking, hiking, running, cycling, and inline skating. Its length, paved surface, and range of uses give you practical details to consider when planning some time outdoors as part of your explorations.
Nature observation is another option in Howard County. You can observe plant and animal life in the woodlands and wetlands along Wildcat Creek in Foster Park. The Kirkendall Nature Center, a science-based facility, offers free access, activities, crafts, and animals on-site. Special visits and demonstrations are available by appointment.
More Traces of Industrial History
The Industrial Heritage Trail connects historic industrial sites and continues to the Nickel Plate Trail. This gives it a different focus from the Wildcat Creek Walk of Excellence, whose described uses range from walking to inline skating. Highland Park is also home to Old Ben and the Sycamore Stump—two other named stops on an exploration of the region.
Discover more destinations: Kokomo, Madison County, Greene County, Boone County, Noble County, Miami County, Vigo, Delaware.
For the broader travel overview: Indiana.
