Howard Hewitt - West Baden, Ind. - Present Indiana, in its third year, gives students an opportunity to study some pretty unique locations and interesting things about the Hoosier state. Each year a couple of group trips or community service is planned around one of the Lilly Endowment-funded internships.

French Lick was the destination June 7 for the nine PIP'ers and the group's leadership team. But we really enhanced the trip by having the Experience Indiana program join us for the long ride south. In total, we had 30 members of the Wabash Community visit the historic French Lick Springs and West Baden hotels. See a photo album from the trip here.

The stunning hotels and day-long trip demand more than one point of view. So we've worked up a photo album and have two blog entries. Matt Goodrich is the intern doing the French Lick project. The Thursday trip was a repeat from him but exciting to see his fellow students react to the incredible hotels.

Matt Goodrich '09 -Having been to the two French Lick Hotels  before I knew why the trip to tour a couple of resorts in southern Indiana had become such an event. Both of the structures and the history that follows them are amazing. I was lucky to have the interesting perspective of one who is currently studying the structures. I found it intriguing to hear the tour guide’s speech compliment my own knowledge gained from various sources with information that elaborated on things I already knew with new facts. 

The enjoyment was nothing next to the entertainment I received from watching the reactions of all those who had never visited before. I had to resist the urge to let my jaw drop and stare so that I could catch everyone else’s expressions. I believe “wow” was the most common verbalization to the utter grandeur and splendor of West Baden’s Eighth Wonder of the World as the group passed into the atrium.  

Aside from these couple of personal joys, the trip was just as pleasing as the first. I was given the opportunity to experience a few new things this time that was not available the last trip. The first was being given the chance to dine at French Lick’s Grand Colonnade Dining Room. We all had the buffet but believe you me, this was no normal buffet. If you can imagine an endless supply of excellent quality foods with no lines then you won’t be surprised in the least when you arrive. With entrees and sides from at least three countries I took it upon myself to be an unofficial taste tester in order to report a full and complete review of the offered dining options. It was delectable. All of it. Having a soft spot for food (I believe that spot is somewhere in my middle), this was a fantastic addition to my experiences at the resorts. 

Down the road at West Baden I was allowed to pass into the guest only areas and travel the fourth floor. The rooms on this floor are rather nice and blow away any hotel accommodations I have ever previously experienced. This floor also has the first ring of balconies looking into the massive atrium. This new view gave me a brand new “wow” moment as I looked down into the intricately decorated space below. 

This trip was just as fun, if not more so, as my first and I most definitely look forward to returning soon. It is easy to see why so many feel such a strong connection to these resorts and do their best to recreate and maintain the magnificence they posses.  I must say that I’m beginning to become quite attached myself.

Hewitt - We had a big contingent of faculty and staff join the trip. They were equally 'wowed." Jeff Beck, Reference Librarian, works with with PIP project each summer. We asked him to share his experience.

Jeff Beck - Over the past three years of the Lilly Endowment sponsored Present/Experience Indiana Programs, the twin destinations of French Lick and West Baden Springs have extended their siren call enticingly. It seemed inevitable that the sites of springs of reputedly medicinal waters and of the “Eighth Wonder of the World” would draw a fleet of red Wabash vans onto their beckoning shores … eventually.

On Thursday, June 07, 2007, several dozen intrepid explorers from Wabash waited expectantly on the steps of the Chapel at 8 AM for wonders reminiscent of lost lands in mythology.  Just as most of the Argonauts were protected by the healing music of Jason’s lyre, we arrived at the French Lick Resort fortified by Einstein’s Bagels to resist the charms of the gambling table.  Indeed, a student of Greco-Roman mythology would find much familiar in the references to Pluto, Persephone, Neptune and related dwellers of realms dark and deep.  Various golden statuary and devilish friezes abounded. Even the familiar took surprising forms.  Using the ingenious technique of scagliola, artisans crafted richly textured columns of “marble” made of layers of plaster and dyed silk threads.  Only to the touch did the smooth surface reveal warmth unlike the coolness of true marble.

Following a rich buffet that appealed to vegetarians and omnivores alike, we departed for the short trip down the road to the wondrous West Baden Springs.  In a rivalry as heated as that of the Monon Bell (by the way, the Monon Railway served both resorts in their heyday), West Baden Springs Resort claimed unparalleled superiority over its lesser neighbor despite successive challenges of fire, bankruptcy, and neglect.  Of the sumptuous pleasure dome, words fail.  Perhaps it was the humble influence of the Jesuits which shielded the dome from the decay that doomed the other surrounding structures.  Or perhaps it would be best to leave this to Wabash’s Present Indiana expert on this locale, Matt Goodrich, to tell the story in good time.

In photos: Top left, PIP interns listen to tour guide talk about the grand atrium. On right, Matt Goodrich looks over the atrium from a fourth floor balcony. Center left, students crowd around the Pluto Springs well. Center right, the faculty/staff group in awe of the atrium. Lower left, the French Lick Hotel lobby has more than $600,000 in 24 karat gold trim work.