Discover Howard County

Get to know Howard County through its many different facets: architecture and county history at the Seiberling Mansion, glass objects in Greentown, nature activities at the Kirkendall Nature Center, and trails along Wildcat Creek. The visits differ considerably in how you plan them: for the museum, specific opening hours matter; special visits and demonstrations at the Nature Center require an appointment; and details about trail surfaces, lengths, and permitted uses help you decide what to expect.

Seiberling Mansion and County History

The Seiberling Mansion was built in 1891 by industrialist Monroe Seiberling and combines the Richardsonian Romanesque Revival and Queen Anne architectural styles. It features several exhibits on Howard County history and has been listed in the U.S. Department of the Interior’s National Register of Historic Places since 1972. The Howard County Historical Society campus includes the Seiberling Mansion, also known as the Howard County Museum, the Elliott House, offices and archives, and a collection of more than 60,000 artifacts.

The Howard County Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Visiting hours may change, so check them before you arrive. Free parking behind the building is accessible via West Walnut Street. The public entrance is at the front of the mansion; an access ramp is available at the rear entrance.

Greentown’s Glass History

The Greentown Glass Museum displays more than 2,000 glass pieces and historical objects. An extensive exhibit compares original pieces from the Indiana Tumbler and Goblet Company with reproductions. The company operated in Greentown from 1894 to 1903. In Greentown, the focus is on specific glass objects and comparing them, while the Seiberling Mansion brings together architecture and county history. The two places thus offer different ways to explore local history: through a historic building and exhibits on the one hand, and through glass pieces and their comparison with reproductions on the other.

Nature Activities and Trails

The Kirkendall Nature Center is a free, science-based facility offering activities, crafts, and animals on site. Special visits and demonstrations are available by appointment. If you plan to take part in one of these special offerings, keep the appointment requirement in mind when planning your visit.

The Wildcat Creek Walk of Excellence is a 3.4-mile paved urban trail. It connects several parks with the historic downtown of Kokomo and is suitable for walking, hiking, running, cycling, and inline skating. The Industrial Heritage Trail connects historic industrial sites and continues to the Nickel Plate Trail. When comparing the trails, the Wildcat Creek Walk provides information about its length, surface, and several permitted uses; the Industrial Heritage Trail focuses on industrial sites and its connection to the Nickel Plate Trail.

Another way to experience nature is among the woodlands and wetlands along Wildcat Creek in Foster Park, where you can observe plant and animal life. Highland Park is home to Old Ben and the Sycamore Stump, two named local attractions.

Discover more destinations: Benton County, Gibson County, Lake, Rush County, Warren County, Adams County, Starke County.

Go to the main travel overview: Indiana.