Daisy Pettles Writer’s House
The Women’s Writing House is a vintage 1920s yellow brick and limestone, arts and crafts bungalow, with all the original woodwork (refurbished oak floors and wooden doors on every room) and a working gas fireplace.
A Double porch, with sweetheart swings on each end, makes for a cozy outdoor writing office. The house is situated on a double lot with a limestone patio and shade garden for relaxing and reading or writing outside.
The ambiance is cozy and comfortable, the house and gardens reminiscent of a simpler time when one’s home was a natural refuge from the everyday worries of the world. The home is fully furnished with beds, writing desks, kitchen ware (a Keurig of course!), washer and dryer, linens, and cleaning supplies, as well as all necessary household sundries.
There is even a collection of vases should you feel like ambling out to the gardens for fresh cut flowers.
Below are some frequently asked questions about the Writer’s House, the location, and the amenities.
Location: 1201 U Street, Bedford, Indiana 47421 on old Highway US 50, south of Bloomington, Indiana.
Will I have my own bedroom?
Back Bedroom – The June Bug Room – with attached Women’s Writing Room
Yes. The house contains two separate bedrooms (one in the front as well as one in the back) and a large living room and eat-in kitchen. The front porch has two porch swings and outdoor writing spaces, one on each end of the porch. The shade gardens and limestone patio also make lovely outdoor writing spaces.
Front bedroom with double twin beds
Does the bathroom have a tub and a shower?
Main bath with walk in tile shower and soaking tub
Yes. The house contains a large, full, vintage 1920’s bathroom with a generous iron soaking tub and huge walk-in tiled shower. The back bedroom and writing room also have their own half-bath with a sink and toilet and cedar-lined closet.
New half bath off main bedroom
Large living room for gatherings
Can I have Overnight Guests in the House?
Writers in residence can have overnight guests with prior written approval for a maximum of 10 days during their stay.
Is there Public Transportation?
Yes. The small city of Bedford, Indiana, offers curb-to-curb bus service within town limits. The service operates on a daily call-in basis so you can get picked up from and delivered back to your own front porch. Monthly bus passes cost a whopping $15. Services are handicap accessible.
If you are flying in, the nearest public airport is Indianapolis.
The nearest small, private airport is located in Monroe County, Bloomington, Indiana.
Are Food and Transportation Provided?
Residents are responsible for their own travel and food expenses in 2020. The $1,000 cash award grant helps defer these expenses. (A bicycle is provided with the house and the house is served by public transportation with curb-to-curb bus service provided at $15 per month, but no auto is available as a part of the award.) We hope to be able to cover all the resident’s food and travel in future years through sponsorships and crowd-funded support. If you or your colleagues wish to contribute to this project and help support women writers we encourage you to donate what you can through our GO FUND ME page. $10 is great!
Is Laundry or Maid Service Provided?
No. The house contains a washer and dryer for resident use. We ask residents to vacuum weekly and clean up after themselves. A caretaker thoroughly cleans the house prior to and following each residency period. Cleaning supplies and kitchen sundries are stored in the house. A caretaker is also on call should any questions or emergency situations occur. Sheets and towels are provided, but you’ll need to launder these as needed.
Is the House Handicapped Accessible?
The house is all on one floor with wide hallways and doorways and a vintage 1920s walk-in tiled shower. It is not, however, handicapped accessible for those in wheelchairs or with mobility challenges. Three high steps must be climbed to enter the house from the front or the back. If you have specific access or living needs that must be accommodated let us know and we’ll answer your query.
Is There a Garden and Can I Use It?
The house occupies a double corner lot and features lovely flower gardens and a limestone patio (built by Daisy’s mother, June) as well as a full length front porch with wicker porch swings on each end of the porch that make for lovely outdoor writing spaces.
There is no vegetable garden. You will have free access to the flower garden and garden shed during your residency. A local caretaker will be overseeing the lawn and garden care and checking in weekly to see if you need anything.
Can I Bring My Pet?
Maybe. We’d need to know the type of pet and how many critters you have to answer that question. Contact: cindy@daisypettleswritingcontest.com with the specifics.
Is There Anything to Do in Bedford, Indiana, Other Than Write?
There’s lots to do in Bedford!
Bedford itself is the county seat of historic Lawrence County, and is chock full of historical limestone architecture. Bedford is surrounded by a bevy of small towns with colorful histories, such as Mitchell, home of the Persimmon Festival. Spring Mill State Park, a restored pioneer village, is a favorite tourist attraction. Lake Monroe Reservoir, a sailing, fishing and hiking paradise, is less than 20 miles away. If you enjoy caving, the area is dotted with a historical cave trail that includes Bluespring Caverns and Marengo Cave, a national historical landmark.
Of course there’s plenty to do in your own backyard. The Women Writer’s House is located on a large corner lot in a quiet cul-de-sac, but has easy access out to a main road (John Williams Blvd.) that features small malls with everything from Chicago-style deli food to a Lowe’s and a Wendy’s.
One block down from Daisy’s House is the amazing Milwaukee Railroad trail, a 10 mile, easy scenic trail through the woods and across old RR bridges. The trail is open for hiking from March through October. From the writer’s house, it is an hour’s drive northeast to scenic Brown County, noted for the small town of Nashville, a hilly folk music, pottery, and arts mecca.
If you have health issues or concerns be aware that a great regional hospital, and health center, a division of IU Health, is less than a mile away from your doorstep. (Daisy Pettles was born there!)
There is, of course, a great public library a few blocks (bicycle ride) away.
