Exhibits
Click on the name of the exhibit on the left to read more information about the exhibit and see images on the right.
The French Lick Springs Hotel
Dr. William Bowles set it all in motion in the Springs Valley when he opened the French Lick Springs Hotel in 1845. A physician, Bowles emphasized the healing powers of the mineral springs in the area. The hotel and Dr. Bowles had some rollicking ups and downs.
Things really started to happen in 1901 when Tom Taggart bought the place and decked it out in Gilded Age grandeur. He brought electricity to the hotel added entire wings. A former Indianapolis mayor and national chairman of the Democrat Party, Taggart’s connections brought many famous people and big events to the hotel.
In 1946, the Hotel was sold and went through a succession of owners as it went through a slow downward spiral. In 2005 it was purchased by the Cook Group and underwent a year -long multi-million dollar renovation. On the National Historic Register, the gold lobby glitters once again. This grand history is told in multiple ways in our exhibit.
An early brochure advertising "How to Slenderize the French Lick Way" by William Edward Fitch, MD.
Postcard of a fresh water spring behind the French Lick Springs Hotel. Guests came from all over the country to take the 'healing' waters.
This photo postcard dated November 29, 1907 shows front and main entrance to the French Lick Springs Hotel.
Guests linger on the front porch of the French Lick Springs Hotel in the early 1900's.
Note the openings on the side that allow the match to be struck. This pattern is known as "Black Knight" china because of a knight on horseback stamped in black ink on the bottom. The Bavarian china also says "made expressly for the French Lick Hotel" and is dated 1930.
A color lithograph advertisement depicts a typical guestroom at the French Lick Springs Hotel in the early part of the 1900's.
This unusual piece of china is a combination match holder and ash tray. The photo above shows the piece empty and the photo below depicts the holder with the box of matches added.