Architects Eero Saarinen and Alexander Girard traveled to Columbus, Indiana in September 1953 to meet with the Millers as Saarinen and Girard designed the house.

Eero Saarinen to J. Irwin Miller, 1 September 1953, 1/2, Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana. (MHG_Ia_B001_f002_133)

During the survey of their property, the Millers discovered they may not be purchasing as much land as they had originally thought. Working to find a solution with land owner Clyde Marr, Mr. Miller writes to George Newlin (Miller’s business associate) that he has the “Latest Hot Dope on Clyde Marr Deal.” 

J. Irwin Miller to George W. Newlin, 8 July 1953, 1/2, Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana. (MHG_Ia_B001_f002_134-135)

Within two weeks of the Millers purchasing land for their new house, Eero Saarinen’s office arranged to have the land surveyed.

Joseph N. Lacy to J. Irwin Miller, 3 June 1953, 1/2, Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana. (MHG_Ia_B001_f002_138, 140)

With the land purchased, Mr. Miller suggests that Alexander Girard join Eero Saarinen on his next trip to Columbus to start working on Miller House. Mr. Miller writes, “I think we will have a good deal of fun working this out.”

J. Irwin Miller to Alexander Girard, 25 May 1953,1/2, Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana (MHG_Ia_B001_f002_142)

Writing to Eero Saarinen about purchasing land for the Miller House, J. Irwin Miller suggests they begin with the landscaping at once and work more slowly with the house’s design. Miller hopes to meet with Saarinen and Alexander Girard when they come to Columbus to work on Irwin Union Bank.

J. Irwin Miller to Eero Saarinen, 25, May 1953, 1/2, Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana. (MHG_Ia_B001_f002_144)

On September 8, 1953, J. Irwin Miller sent a check to Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Marr in the amount of $30,000 to purchase the land where he and his wife Xenia S. Miller would build a home for their family.

J. Irwin Miller to Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Marr, 8 September 1953, 1/2, Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana. (MHG_Ia_B001_f002_131)