Indiana Landmarks has placed the historic Kemper House, located downtown at 1028 North Delaware Street, on the market. The listing continues the organization’s long-standing practice of rehabilitating historic properties for use as regional offices before returning them to the community through strategic sale.

Eli Lilly, one of Indiana Landmarks’ founders, saved the 1873 house from demolition and restored it in 1962 for use by the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis, renaming it for Bishop Kemper, the first Episcopal bishop in Indiana.

Following Mr. Lilly’s death in 1977, the diocese donated the property to Indiana Landmarks, a private, statewide historic preservation organization founded in 1960. The house served as the organization’s Indianapolis and Central Regional Office from 1977 to 2009, later returning to residential use as the home of Indiana Landmarks’ president from 2013 to 2025.

Following the retirement of Indiana Landmarks President Marsh Davis in 2025, the organization’s board of directors voted to sell the Kemper House, with proceeds supporting ongoing preservation work throughout the state.

Nicknamed “the wedding cake house” for its ornate roof cresting and highly detailed architecture, it was constructed by Charles Pierson as a wedding gift for his bride, Mary Alice Scofield. At 2,800 square feet, the home conveys the presence of a grand residence with a richly detailed façade, high ceilings, detailed woodwork, and fireplaces in two front parlors. Situated near the intersection of 11th and Delaware streets, the property is zoned commercial and includes a three-car garage accessed from the rear alley.

Recent improvements include window restoration, repairs to ornamental plaster, landscape updates, and full interior and exterior painting. Individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Kemper House has also been locally designated by the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission, a status that protects the landmark from inappropriate exterior alterations.

The Kemper House and an adjacent parking lot are listed at $800,000. The house will be sold with Indiana Landmarks’ protective covenants safeguarding its architectural character.

Additional details are available at www.indianalandmarks.org/kemper-house/.

“We are grateful for the Episcopal Diocese’s generosity in entrusting the Kemper House to us in 1977. It has been our honor to steward this remarkable property for nearly fifty years,” says Brad Ward, president of Indiana Landmarks. “We look forward to finding the next caretakers who will continue its legacy.”

“The Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis is proud to have been a part of the long history of Kemper House,” says Reverend Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis. “We are grateful for the care provided by our trusted partners at Indiana Landmarks and their commitment to ensuring its continued legacy.”

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Indiana Landmarks revitalizes communities, strengthens connections to our diverse heritage, and saves meaningful places. With nine offices located throughout the state, Indiana Landmarks helps people rescue endangered landmarks and restore historic neighborhoods and downtowns. People who join Indiana Landmarks receive its bimonthly magazine, Indiana Preservation. For more information on the not-for-profit organization, call 317-639-4534, 800-450-4534, or visit www.indianalandmarks.org.

MEDIA CONTACT: Mindi Woolman, 317-822-7904, mwoolman@indianalandmarks.org