This red brick, copper domed study was built in 1898 by General Lew Wallace, the author of “Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ.” Four limestone friezes display carvings by Bohemian Bohumir Kryl of characters from two Wallace novels. They are Princess Irene and the Prince of India plus Judah Ben-Hur and his sister Tirzah. Inside is the General’s 1,200 book library, his original furniture plus artifacts from his military career and inventions. Wallace is quoted as saying, “I’d rather write another book than be rich.”
