India Crago Harris (1848–1948), a native Connersville, Fayette County, Indiana, United States, was an art patron and civic leader in Indianapolis, Indiana, who served on the Art Association of Indianapolis's board of trustees, including roles as recording secretary (1893–1899) and its fifth president (1904–1907). The Art Association was the predecessor to the Indianapolis Museum of Art and the Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis's Herron School of Art and Design). During her tenure as president, Harris laid the cornerstone for the association's first new building, named the John Herron Art Institute, at 16th and Pennsylvania Streets. In addition, Harris established Herron's reference library. As the wife of Addison C. Harris (1840–1916), who was a prominent Indianapolis lawyer and a civic leader, she accompanied him to Vienna, Austria, during his diplomatic service as U.S. Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary (ambassador) to Austria-Hungary (1899 to 1901).
Early life and family
During the 1860s Crago enrolled at North Western Christian University (present-day Butler University) in Indianapolis, Indiana, where she met her future husband, Addison C. Harris (1840–1916), a native of Wayne County, Indiana. They were married on May 14, 1868. The couple had no children.
Addison Harris, an 1862 graduate of North Western Christian University, became a prominent lawyer in Indianapolis. He also served as a Republican member of the Indiana Senate (1876 to 1880) and as U.S. Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary (ambassador) to Austria-Hungary (1899 to 1901). India Harris accompanied her husband to Vienna, Austria, during his diplomatic service. He was also active in Indiana's legal community as a founding member and president (1883 and 1890) of the Indianapolis Bar Association, a founder and president (1899 to 1904) of the Indiana Law School (a forerunner to the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis), and president of the Indiana State Bar Association (1904). In his later years he served as a member of Purdue University's board of trustees (1905–1916), and as its president (1909 to 1916).
The couple's primary home was located on North Meridian Street in Indianapolis. Addison Harris also acquired property in rural Hamilton County, Indiana, in 1880 and later had the home remodelled and enlarged for the couple to use for entertaining and as a summer residence. The West-Harris House in Hamilton County was later nicknamed Ambassador House in reference to his diplomatic service.
Career
Following her marriage, Harris studied law with her husband and assisted him in legal research; however, she is best known for her affiliation with the Art Association of Indianapolis, the forerunner to the Indianapolis Museum of Art and Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis's Herron School of Art and Design. India Crago Harris was among the first members of the Art Association when it was founded in 1883. She also served on its board of trustees, including roles as recording secretary (1893–1899) and as its fifth president (1904–1907). (Harris was the second woman to serve as the Art Association's president; May Wright Sewall, its founder, was president from 1893 to 1898.)
While Harris was serving as its president, the Art Association began construction on its new art museum and art school building at the corner of 16th and Pennsylvania Streets. During ceremonies held on November 25, 1905, she laid cornerstone for the two-story, Vonnegut and Bohn-designed building, which was named the John Herron Art Institute in honor of its major benefactor. The new building officially opened on November 20, 1906. Harris also established Herron's reference and served as chair of its library committee. In addition to her support of the Herron Art Institute, Harris was active in other civic affairs, including support of the Indianapolis Orphans Asylum and service on the board of the Children's Guardian Home.
Later years
After her husband's death in 1916, Harris inherited the West-Harris House (Ambassador House), the couple's summer home in Hamilton County, Indiana. It served as Harris's primary residence after her Indianapolis home on North Meridian Street was demolished.
Death and legacy
India Crago Harris died in 1948. Her remains are interred at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, as are those of her husband, Addison C. Harris.