Wylie House holds open house

Candlelight filled the air and smells of warm apple cider sifted through the Wylie House Museum, 307 E. Second St., Saturday, as the home was showcased for the annual "Wylie House by Candlelight" open house.\nThe Wylie House, built in 1840 by Andrew Wylie, the first IU president, has had an annual open house for about 13 years, Museum Director Jo Burgess said.\nUpon arriving at the house, guests were welcomed by costumed hostesses dressed in clothing styles from the 1840s. Sherry Brunoehler, an IU staff member and volunteer at the museum, was one of those greeters.\n"This is my fourth year working the open house, and it's been very pleasant," she said.\nHer mother, Carol Wise, who assured that the costumes were warm enough to brave the weather, accompanied Brunoehler. \n"I'm wearing a dress, a wool petticoat, cotton petticoat, drawers and a cape interlined with wool," she said. "We're staying very warm."\nInside, visitors were treated to a candlelight atmosphere with a wide assortment of cookies and warm apple cider. The house, which is one of Bloomington's oldest structures and is listed on the National Registrar of Historic Places, showcased furniture and displays from the 1840s.\nVisitors ranging from faculty and staff to Bloomington residents and students streamed in to see the festive sights of the interior of the house.\nWhile live music accompanied the atmosphere, volunteers like Cindy Smith, who teaches public speaking at IU, were on hand to show visitors around.\n"I love this," she said. "Last year I saw the report about the event after it happened and was so disappointed I missed it."\nSmith, who also took part in the atmosphere by dressing in costume, said Wise made many parts of her costume.\nSenior Erica Kendall, an intern at the Wylie House Museum, also dressed up in costume and said they were "quite comfy" for the atmosphere inside. \nThe open house, which lasted from 5 to 8 p.m., is an annual tradition, but not the only one. The Wylie House also features events like antique quilt exhibits, an heirloom garden, plant sales and recitals. Guided tours are available November through March, when the upper floor can be seen. \n-- Contact staff writer Rachel Ward at raward@indiana.edu.