Greenfield, Ind. Known as the Hoosier Poet, Riley was famous for writing in his native Indiana dialect such poems as "Little Orphant Annie," "Out to Aunt Mary’s," and "When the Frost Is on the Pumpkin."

As you approach the home at 250 W. Main Street, it is easy to imagine Riley sitting on the front porch in a white wicker chair on a hot summer’s day sipping lemonade. Your 45-minute guided tour begins in the foyer, where your eyes are immediately drawn to an impressive winding staircase that leads to the second floor. James’s father, Reuben Riley, built the staircase out of solid black walnut trees grown on the farm. It took him three years to build the home. He also built a beautiful "partner’s desk," a unique piece of furniture that allowed him and his partner to do paperwork in the study.

Every room has family memorabilia including the family Bible, a sewing box, chairs and many pieces of furniture that were handmade by Reuben, who was quite a craftsman. Reuben used the black walnut to design all the woodwork in the home.

Your hostess will guide you through the eight-room home and explain how James drew from his childhood experiences when he wrote many of his poems. His most famous poem, Little Orphant Annie, was about an orphan girl that lived with the Riley family.

After visiting the Riley home be sure to meander through the antique shops that line the streets of Greenfield. Stop for a leisurely sandwich and a bowl of delicious homemade soup at one of many little cafes or restaurants tucked in between the antique shops. Some antique stores take longer than others, such as the J.W. Riley’s Emporium, an antique mall that will take at least an hour to walk through. In fact, it has a unique collection of nearly 200 books by James Whitcomb Riley.

A trip to Greenfield is a pleasant one that has many other treasures to discover, including the following:

Elizabeth Ann’s Kitchen, located behind the James Whitcomb Riley Old Home and Museum, consists of a small kitchen, restroom and screened porch able to accommodate up to 30 people. Adjacent to it are the Riley Gardens and gazebo. This area is ideal for small weddings and parties and is available with the facility. Elizabeth Ann’s Kitchen is available to rent from March 31-November 8 for $25, plus a $25 key deposit. Call (317) 477-4340.

Memorial Building Gym
98 E. North Street

The Memorial Building gym is available for basketball, volleyball, indoor soccer, badminton and birthday parties. It may be rented for $20 per hour. Payment for the first hour is due at the time a reservation is made. Call (317) 477-4340.

The Patricia Elmore Center is the home of the Greenfield Parks and Recreation administration, preschool program (plus various others) and the Greenfield Senior Center. Areas available for rent include the multi purpose room (1376 square feet for up to 80 people) and the Senior Center dining room/kitchen (978 square feet for up to 40 people). The rental fee for each area separately ranges from $15-$50 hourly and $115-$400 daily, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., plus a $100 damage deposit. For more information, call (317) 477-4340.

Riley Park Pavilion, 333 N. Lincoln
The Riley Park Pavilion, located at the north end of the park, is an open air shelter with 16 picnic tables and 2 outdoor cooking grills on a concrete slab. The whole area may be rented for $30 of half (8 tables) for $15. For more information, call (317) 477-4340.

As a truly significant literary figure who wrote over 1000 poems, of which over half were written in "Hoosier" dialect, James Whitcomb Riley was not only recognized as a "National Poet," a "Poet of the People," and the "Hoosier Poet," but also characterized as the "Poet of Midwest Nature."

His poetry celebrated everyday life, everyday people, and everyday occurrences in rural nineteenth century Indiana. Riley was a careful observer and reporter of people and of nature during his lifetime. After his death in 1916, his friends were inspired to preserve his literary legacy and memory for future generations, through the establishment in 1921 of the James Whitcomb Riley Memorial Association. This led to the creation of the Riley Museum Home in Indianapolis, the James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children at the Indiana University Medical Center and Camp Riley at Bradford Woods.

James Whitcomb Riley was born October 7, 1849, in a log cabin on the site of the present Riley Home in Greenfield. His parents were Reuben Riley, lawyer, orator, cavalry captain, and wood craftsman, and Elizabeth Riley, a cultured pioneer woman.

In school Riley was a poor student in the abstract subjects but showed marked talents in the arts; drawing, music, poetry, and dramatics were his strengths. He played several instruments, sang and entertained with theatrical groups, but all the time he was dreaming and writing verse, some of which was eventually published in local papers. Riley left home with only a grammar school education and began his writing career as a sign painter. He even traveled for a short time with a medicine show before joining The Indianapolis Journal in 1877. While at the Journal he became famous for his simple folk style of writings.

His first book of poems was the 1883 edition of The Old Swimmin’ Hole and ‘Leven More Poems. The next 20 years kept him busy as Riley wrote continually and read his poems on the stage before large crowds. Riley became revered as one of the nation’s greatest poets, and his writings earned him a lasting legacy.