Around The Bend: The Oliver Mansion

Whether you’re drawn by the architecture, the history, or the seasonal touches throughout the house, exploring Copshaholm is a memorable way to connect with South Bend’s past.

Around The Bend takes a deeper look into the stories of beloved favorites and hidden gems throughout St. Joseph County that make this place unforgettable. These places we cherish didn’t just appear—they were built with passion, purpose, and stories worth telling.

Copshaholm, also known as the Oliver Mansion, was the home of one of the most famed families in South Bend, Indiana. The Oliver family.

Copshaholm is named after the Oliver family’s ancestral home in Scotland from which James Oliver moved to the United States.

Construction on Copshaholm began in 1895 from granite that was deposited by glaciers in Indiana fields. It was handpicked by J.D.’s father, James. Inside the home, most notably in the main hall as you walk inside, you can see walls of English and American oak. Also found in the home are mahogany, birch, and cherry wood.

Completed in 1897, the Queen Anne Romanesque home on 808 W. Washington Street has 38 rooms, and was designed by New York architect, Charles Alonzo Rich.

The Oliver family lived in the mansion for 72 years. It was donated to the Northern Indiana Historical Society in 1988 after all four of J.D.’s children had passed away, with all original furnishings inside to honor the family’s legacy. This gives visitors a glimpse into exactly the way the mansion looked while the family was there. Though, over time, updates were made to the home by one of J.D.'s daughters, Catherine.

You can take guided tours Monday through Saturday at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., and Sundays at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. However, Christmas might be the most spectacular time to see the mansion.

The entire home is decorated for the holidays, and during Christmas at Copshaholm events, self-guided tours are offered. You can take your time strolling through the home and admiring all 14 fireplaces, 22 Christmas trees, and just maybe be inspired with ways to decorate your home!

While every room is spectacular, there is something extra special about stepping into the Den (also known as J.D.’s home office) during Christmas time.

You can also see some very interesting portraits hanging on the wall.

Rooms such as the Kitchen you can definitely see where Catherine (one of J.D.’s children) changed the house after her parents passed away. It has modern countertops as well as stainless steel and enamel coverings, among other noticeable details.

The Morning Room in the home takes on a dual meaning. The women of the home would relax in the morning and plan their days in this room, but also this is where caskets would be placed for funeral services, giving the room a very different connotation.

It is fascinating to note that the Oliver Mansion is just steps down W. Washington Street from the original home of the Studebaker family. Both families were integral to the roots and history of South Bend and St. Joseph County.

Not only were the original families neighbors, but The History Museum and Studebaker National Museum are also neighbors and share a museum campus. While separate museums, they do work closely together, particularly on one special annual event.

Concours de Elegance at Copshaholm is the premiere celebration of automotive design and styling in northern Indiana. Beautiful, classic vehicles from near and far decorate the Oliver Mansion lawn. It’s truly a spectacular show every July.

During the summer it is a must to experience the Historic Oliver Gardens, an Italianate garden designed circa 1907 by Alice Neale. These sunken gardens have also been preserved and are meticulously cared for by garden volunteers. The flowers in bloom change from the spring to the summer, and the changing trees are a sight to behold in the fall.

Every October The History Museum hosts their Mystery at the Mansion event inside Copshaholm. Tour through different rooms and scenes in the home and see if you can figure out “whodunnit.” The mystery theme is often related to the featured exhibit in the museum. This is a great experience for the whole family! Not to mention, there are spooky decorations throughout the home to fit the vibes.

There is truly never a bad time to experience the beauty and wonder of Copshaholm.

Visit the history museum

808 W. Washington Street South Bend, IN 46601

The History Museum's mission is to collect, preserve, interpret, exhibit and teach the heritage of the St. Joseph River Valley region. First organized in 1867, it is the second oldest historical society in Indiana. The History Museum is also the national repository for the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL).

The Oliver Mansion and its gardens are listed on the National Record of Historic Places and is registered as an American Treasure.

The Navarre Cabin: The oldest structure in St. Joseph County that formerly belonged to the firest person of European descent to settle in The Bend, Pierre Freischutz Navarre.

The Worker's Home: A home that tells the story of the community's African American history as well as the Great Migration and the Civil Rights Movement.

The History Museum's Exhibits: Lose yourself in exhibits telling stories of local history and momentus events in St. Joseph County.

Kidsfirst Children's Museum: An interactive space that engages children’s imaginations through hands-on environments and provides fun ways for young ones to discover local history.

The History Museum Boutique: The perfect treasure is bound to be found here with exclusive merchandise, one-of-a-kind items, officially licensed apparel, and carefully selected antiques.

Studebaker National Museum (Next door): Home to roughly 120 vehicles spanning 150 years of automotive history that all took place right here in South Bend. The museum is also home to one of the largest collections of Presidential Carriages in the country, including the carriage that carried President Lincoln to Ford's Theatre on the night of his assassination.