Hendricks County Gains Piece of History: Miles House Offered as Museum

Hendricks County Museum Board President Pat Baldwin (left) and realtor Jack Lawson discussed the future of the Miles House at the meetingCounty Comm of the Hendricks County Commissioners.

Longtime realtor and auctioneer Jack Lawson showed up at the first meeting of the Hendricks County Commissioners in the new year.

After the pledge of allegiance the county commissioners held a short vote to choose officers for 2026. Commissioner Dennis Dawes retained his role as president; Commissioner Bob Gentry retained his role as vice president and Commissioner Brad Whicker continues on as “member.”

The first order of business for the new year was a presentation from longtime Realtor and auctioneer Jack Lawson. Lawson attended the meeting on behalf of Larry Miles. Miles was the owner of the 400 acre Miles Farm subdivision west of Danville, Indiana.

Miles retained his family’s house, log barn, and two and half acres out of the 400 acre farm. The historic log barn was built in the 1830’s prior to the house. The Miles log barn was taken apart and moved to land set aside by Waste Management in Danville last year.

The house was built approximately 150 years ago and has been well taken care of. According to Lawson, Miles is willing to leave the house furnished as it is decorated with historical pieces of furniture such as a coveted Wooton desk, a cherry wall cupboard with pie shelf, and several items from when Miles was born there.

Each of the commissioners had taken separate visits to the Miles House and each agreed the house would be a “no brainer” for the county to take over and use for historical and educational purposes.

Regarding the cost of upkeep, Lawson provided the commissioners with an estimate of annual costs that came to approximately $13,000.

President of the Hendricks County Historical Museum Pat Baldwin attended the meeting with Lawson. Baldwin shared that the board of the museum is confident they can manage the upkeep and use of the Miles House. “We haven’t figured out everything we can use the property for but we agree it would be a great asset for the county.”

There are still some things that will need to be worked out such as how the county will take title and an appraisal will need to be completed for Miles to use for tax purposes.

President Dawes told Lawson that the county is grateful for the generous donation of Mr. Miles. All three commissioners nodded their heads in agreement to take ownership of the property once all the details have been worked out.

Lawson said he would hope to have the transaction completed by March of this year.