41st Wildflower Foray

Families can celebrate the arrival of spring and experience nature through several special events taking place at the T.C. Steele State Historic Site. Featuring guided hikes, special tours, family activities and more, all scheduled from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 24-26, the festivities are part of the 41st annual Brown and Monroe’s Spring Wildflower Foray. This three-day community showcase offers visitors a chance to explore the outdoors and discover the area’s diverse flora and fauna through a variety of events at 10 participating locations, many of which are free.

Arts of the Earth Day will be the highlight of the historic site’s activities during the Wildflower Foray. Happening from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on April 25, this free event spotlights the natural beauty that inspired renowned Hoosier impressionist T.C. Steele. Visitors can watch a live limestone-carving demonstration by local artist Sidney Bolam from noon-2 p.m. and take self-guided walks through the gardens, where the vibrant daffodils and other spring flowers are in full bloom.

Scheduled at the site throughout the weekend, outdoor enthusiasts of all abilities can explore the Selma Steele Nature Preserve during free guided hikes, focusing on topics like finding and identifying flowers, plants in poetry, and foraging wild edibles.

The site’s beloved Teddy Bears’ Picnic returns at 1 p.m. on April 25. Children are invited to bring their teddy bears and dolls dressed in their springtime best to enjoy a reading of “The Teddy Bears’ Picnic” along with cookies and lemonade. The event is $4 for children and advance registration is encouraged.

The Wildflower Foray also offers a perfect opportunity to see the historic site’s centennial exhibition that commemorates the 100th anniversary of Steele’s death. During scheduled tours throughout the weekend, visitors can browse the large studio that showcases nearly 30 works spanning Steele’s career, including rarely seen paintings and newly acquired pieces to the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites’ collection. The site will also offer a special tour at 11:15 a.m. on April 25 focusing on Libbie Steele, T.C.’s first wife who the artist said taught him how to “see beautifully.” All tours are included with site admission, which is free for members, $12 for adults and $7 for youth.

Happening elsewhere for the Wildflower Foray, visitors can enjoy guided hikes, nature walks and workshops highlighting plants, birds and other native wildlife. Attendees can participate in a spring wildflower census, contributing valuable data to conservation efforts by documenting plant species found in the region. Events will take place at Allens Creek State Recreation Area, Brown County State Park, Flatwoods Park, Kent Farm Preserve, Morgan-Monroe State Forest, Paynetown State Recreation Area, Porter West Nature Preserve, Stone Head Nature Preserve and Yellowwood Lake.

All hikes are free and will take place rain or shine, though some locations may have gate fees. A complete schedule of events for the Wildflower Foray is available from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

The Wildflower Foray is supported by the T.C. Steele State Historic Site, Brown County State Park, Hoosier National Forest, Indiana Division of Nature Preserves, IU Research & Teaching Preserves, Monroe County Parks and Recreation and Monroe Lake, and sponsored by Friends of Brown County State Park, Friends of T.C. Steele, Images Botanical, Indiana Native Plant Society, Sassafras Audubon Society and Sycamore Land Trust.