the Inn
Goldsmith House is a small, four-room bed & breakfast in Terre Haute’s Farrington’s Grove Historic District within walking distance of ISU, the Convention Center, and downtown restaurants and within a short drive of Rose-Hulman, St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Ivy Tech, and other local attractions. The house was built in 1876 by Luther Hager, an ice merchant, for his family, but sold a few years later to Charles White, an insurance broker and politician. After serving as a boarding house for a series of Normal (ISU) students, Frederick Goldsmith, a wholesale grocer, bought the house in 1907 and proceeded to make extensive renovations. Goldsmith House has been restored to that 1907 footprint. In the 1950s, Frank & Mary Ryan converted and enlarged the house for use as a mortuary. The Ryans’ care and concern, extended into a second generation by Pat & Joann Ryan and afterward by Joe & Linda Mattox, made the funeral home a beloved, local institution. Since 2017, the Gedricks have taken on the project of returning the structure to a residence and since 2023 have offered hospitality to guests at Goldsmith House.
the innkeeper
John Gedrick lives around the corner from Goldsmith House as his family has for five generations, and this bed & breakfast is a project in his retirement from the pulpit of St. James Church in Vincennes, Indiana. As an Episcopal priest, he hopes to offer a sense of monastic welcome by offering place of sanctuary, respite, study & nourishment.
the kitchen
John, the innkeeper, and Susan Royce, a local baker, work out of the kitchen in Goldsmith House to offer guests simple nourishment to start their day. A hot breakfast may include eggs, bread & a salad; a cold breakfast may include yogurt, granola, fruit & toast; and what we think of as potable coffee will be readily available.
the baker
Susan Royce also lives in the neighborhood, convenient not only to the Inn but also to Bar Bosco, where Susan supplies bread and desserts. As a well-respected and sought-after local baker, Susan has supplied many kitchens in Terre Haute including Baesler’s Market, Clabber Girl, and Richard’s Townhouse.
About Terre Haute
Terre Haute is a city of approximately 60,000 people, situated along the Wabash River in west central Indiana. Terre Haute is home to four colleges, beautiful parks & nearby attractions.