Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site

What a wonderful preservation of nature and beauty. Has a natural spring, several remarkable gardens, and is a great spot for photos. Especially in the fall. Thank you to those responsible for maintaining and managing such a special space.

We scheduled a cabin tour and trail walk. Everyone in the office and park was friendly and helpful. Our guide, Sara, was delightful, very informative, and knew her history. It was a beautiful day all around.

Very nice, clean and quiet place to go fir a nature outing. Nice picnic area.

We first visited Gene Stratton-Porter's home in Geneva, IN, and couldn't wait to see this home in Rome City, IN. It was such a nice day for a stroll through the woods. We enjoyed her flower garden and the lovely view of Sylvan lake through her huge picture window. Gene was well ahead of her time with forward thinking and being an independent woman. She was a writer and a self taught photographer. When she didn't approve of how her books were made into a movie, she became the first woman to own her own movie production company, and then produced her own movies. It was interesting hearing more about her life and family. Gene's love of nature almost becomes a central character in her books. Be sure to check what times and days tours are being given. We almost missed the last one for the day. And we would have been so disappointed! Well worth our time.

My 7-year-old daughter started visiting this site with me when she was much younger in order to view the many animals, insects, and interesting plants. Over time, we wandered more often into the site’s visitor center where we met the knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff who encouraged our interest and inspired us to read Gene Stratton-Porter’s books in order to learn even more. My daughter’s (and my own) interests in nature and GSP have grown so much over the course of several visits to this site that she has begun to see Gene Stratton-Porter as a kind of role model.

This State Historic Site is a kind of sanctuary with knowledgeable and dedicated staff that skillfully bring together nature, history, and literature in ways that make your visits educational and interesting for all ages. Ask the staff plenty of questions and you will learn much. Read a book by GSP and you will want to know even more. Highly recommended.