T.C. Steele State Historic Site features a variety of tours and programs throughout the year. Look for special activities include about gardening, art, crafts and more.

Special Events
Print a list of 2010 events at T.C. Steele State Historic Site.

Unparalleled Paisley Shawls
Nov. 3, 2009 – June 2, 2010
Eight shawls, from Jacquard woven European silk to Indian twill tapestry wool shawls, will be on display in T.C. Steele’s large studio and home in Brown County. A great day-trip for any fabric fanatic!

Get A Clue at T.C. Steele: Murder Mystery
Feb. 13; 6:30 p.m.
$30 per person
Test your sleuthing skills Mardi Gras style! The T.C. Steele State Historic Site is having a murder mystery. A group of jewel thieves meet at the T.C. Steele Art Gallery masquerade ball to sell their loot to a prestigious buyer. Knowing each other only by the colors they are wearing, the drop goes very wrong with the jewels gone and someone dead. Try to solve the mystery while enjoying scrumptious appetizers and decadent desserts. Sign up to be a character in the mystery with either speaking or non-speaking roles. Participants must register by Feb. 9 and spaces are limited. For more information or to register, contact catkinson@dnr.in.gov or 812.988.2785.

Textile Workshop: Hand Felting
Feb. 27; 10 a.m. – noon
$10 per person
Fiber artist Sarah Noggle will teach participants how to use unspun wool and turn it into a cohesive fabric. There will be some spinning on the side and participants take home a handspun sample. Noggle will talk about the evolution of fiber art and what you can create with it. The artist will bring all the supplies. This program is open to participants of all ages and experience. Reservations required; call 812.988.2785 or catkinson@dnr.in.gov.

Gardening Series: Panel Discussion
March 11; 6:30 p.m.
$5 per person
This garden panel discussion on a variety of topics will feature knowledgeable speakers and a question and answer session.

Gardening Series: Growing Future Gardeners – Digging into the Past
March 28; 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
$25 per person
This youth workshop includes activities that provide hands-on experiences in planting, terrarium building, activities that teach about eco-systems and preseration, flower pressing, container gardening and how Selma Steele planned and maintained her gardens. Participants will plant flowers that they will take home and grow. As a follow up activity, they will bring their plants back to the site after six weeks and plant them in the site's gardens or flower boxes. Reservations required; call 812.988.2785 or catkinson@dnr.in.gov.

Gardening Series: Mad Hatter Tea Party
April 10; 11 a.m.
$15 per person
Don’t be late for the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party! Guests should come wearing their silly hats or costumes for an afternoon of tea, refreshments and fun. Enjoy readings and reenactments from Alice in Wonderland, write some silly limericks, make some crafts and play some games. Reservations required; call 812.988.2785 or catkinson@dnr.in.gov.

25th Annual Wildflower Foray
April 23 – 25; Time TBD
Cost TBD
Enjoy a weekend of hiking and special programming focused on the natural history and environmental concerns of Brown County, especially as they relate to wildflower and bird populations. Included are wildflower and bird walks, wetlands hikes, a boat trip, nature photography and more.

Gardening Series: Garden Gala and Plant Sale
May 8; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
FREE
Spring is in the air! Purchase a variety of perennials and herbs for your gardens and enjoy demonstrations on various gardening topics. Enjoy some live music and lunch on the grounds.

Container Gardening Workshop
May 8; 11 a.m.
$15 per person
Enjoy a relaxing day and make a beautiful container garden to take home and enjoy all summer.

Gardening Series: Festival of Flowers PaintOut
May 15; 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
FREE to the public; artists $10 per person, $5 per child
Artists are invited to create art — and visitors have the opportunity to observe the process of creation — outdoors on the grounds of T.C. Steele State Historic Site. Artists must be pre-registered. All work submitted for judging must be created the day of the contest. Artists must register in advance; call 812.988.2785 or catkinson@dnr.in.gov.

National Trails Day
June 5; 10 a.m.
FREE
Celebrate National Trails Day and the 20th anniversary of the Selma N. Steele State Nature Preserve with a guided hike. Discover some of the preserve’s unique plants and the Steeles connection with nature. Learn the history of the site’s trail system and see locations where T.C. Steele likely painted.

Knee Deep in June
June 5; 5:30 p.m.
$50 per person
This collaboration with the Good Life Culinary Institute includes a cooking class and meal, along with readings of James Whitcomb Riley’s poems. Reservations required; call 812.988.2785 or catkinson@dnr.in.gov.

The Artist in the Garden – The Garden in the Artist: An Evening with Award Winning Author Sharon Lovejoy
June 10; 6:30 p.m.
$5 per person
Just as Monet’s garden influenced his art, his art influenced his garden. Join best selling and award winning author and illustrator Sharon Lovejoy as she takes us on a personal walk through the garden with examples from around the world. Lovejoy will show you how to use colors, textures, patterns, water elements and whimsy to transform even the smallest space into a living work of art, a collage of flora and fauna. Learn how a garden can be used as a canvas and how art can be inspiration in a garden design. Reservations required; call 812.988.2785 or catkinson@dnr.in.gov.

Sunday at Home Series
June 20, July 18, Aug. 15; 1 – 5 p.m.
$3 per person per event
Enjoy special tours, old-fashioned games and activities.