OVERVIEW
The Propylaeum is the fourth in a series of Indianapolis
Historic Landmark caches. There is only a log so please
BYOP. Enjoy the cache and the location!
CACHE SITE
You're looking for a
micro container. Please be careful of the landscaping while
searching for the cache. This is a beautiful, historic site which
has been a part of the Indianapolis scene since the 19th
century.
Take pictures if you're able and post
them!
SITE OVERVIEW
The Indianapolis
Propylaeum, a literary and social club for women, was founded
in 1888 by a stock company led by May Wright Sewall, Mary N.
Walcott, Harriet McIntire Foster, and Carrie F. Mulligan. The
idea originated when Sewall and others were searching for a
meeting place for the Indianapolis Woman'sClub. They decided
to form a stock company composed only of women that would own
and maintain a building for various literary, social, and
artistic clubs. The Indianapolis Propylaeum was incorporated
on June 6, 1888, with a capital stock of $15,000. Sewall was
elected president of the corporation and Mrs. Henry D. Pierce
was named treasurer. The stockholders soon located a lot on
North Street between Meridian and Pennsylvania, and a building
was constructed and opened in January, 1891. In addition to
the Indianapolis Woman's Club, other organizations using the
building included the Fortnightly Literary Club, the Matinee
Musicale, and the Contemporary Club. Sewall resigned as
president of the corporation in 1907 and was succeeded by Mrs.
Henry D. Pierce.
In June, 1923, the Propylaeum's building was
purchased by the city of Indianapolis for the construction of the
World War Memorial. After some corporate reorganizing, the
Propylaeum purchased the Schaf property at 14th and Delaware
streets. The building, which was built in 1890 by John William
Schmidt, president of the Indianapolis Brewing Company, who in turn
sold it to Joseph C, Schaf, also a brewer, in 1902. The College of
Music and Fine Arts bought the building from Schaf, but they were
unable to make the payments. In January, 1924, the Propylaeum Club
was formed within the association of stockholders to maintain
social functions.
The building, which was put on the National
Register of Historic Places in 1973, is a combination of Romanesque
Revival, Neo-Jacobean, and Queen Ann styles. Among its more
noteworthy features are the impressive windows, leaded glass doors,
Rockwood fireplace tiles, the grand staircase, and the intricate
Italian carvings. Organizations currently meeting in the Propylaeum
include the Indianapolis Woman's Club, the Fortnightly Literary
Club, the English Speaking Union, the Daughters of the American
Revolution, and the Portfolio Club.
The Propylaeum has maintained a Tea Room for
lunches and dinners since September 1924, and the corporation
frequently rents the facility for special functions. Guest rooms
are located on the second floor of the building for the use of
guests and members.
Sources: Caroline Dunn, A History of The
Indianapolis Propylaeum (1938).
Encyclopedia of Indianapolis, pp. 1136-1137.