The 1957 Miller House and Garden, in the architecturally significant town of Columbus Indiana, is one of the most iconic examples of Total Modern Design. The House being only one of a few Eero Saarinen residential designs, is paired with an Alexander Girard interior, and a beautiful garden designed by Dan Kiley.

Ben Wever has cared for the site in various capacities over the last three decades. His presentation will not only cover the history of the house and garden but also focus on the preservation efforts that have taken place since the site was given to Newfields, a 152-acre cultural campus featuring Indianapolis Museum of Art, galleries, two historic homes, nature preserve, sculpture park and performance spaces, in 2009. Since that date, numerous important restoration efforts have been ongoing, including reproductions of Girard textiles and many projects in the garden.

The Miller House and Garden was awarded a Keeping it Modern grant from the Getty Foundation that helped fund a conservation management plan by Penn Praxis. As Newfields continues to care for the house, interior, and garden, this plan is instrumental in assuring best practices for the care, upkeep, and restoration of this historic site.

Three major projects in Kiley’s Garden have been restored including the private entrance allée, the arborvitae hedge around the pool, and the North and South orchards. These projects will be discussed, as well as an exciting update on the restoration of the North Garden.