The General Lew Wallace Study, located in Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, Indiana, is a highly unusual and architecturally eclectic freestanding pavilion constructed between 1895 and 1898. Designed by Wallace himself with assistance from architect John G. Tharp, the building serves as a physical reflection of the owner's diverse interests and worldly travels. The exterior boldly blends Romanesque, Byzantine, and Greek Revival architectural styles, characterized by a pressed red-brick facade, a soaring copper-clad dome, and a decorative limestone frieze intricately carved with characters from Wallace's literary works. The interior boasts a single, spacious room featuring a large central skylight, a monumental fireplace, and stained-glass windows, creating an idealized, contemplative sanctuary where Wallace could work in solitude surrounded by his personal library, military memorabilia, and art collection.

Historically, the study is of national significance for its direct association with Major General Lew Wallace, a multifaceted 19th-century American figure who achieved fame as a Union general during the Civil War, governor of the New Mexico Territory, diplomat to the Ottoman Empire, and the best-selling author of the monumental historical novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ. Built during the twilight of his life, the study served as Wallace's personal creative haven where he penned his autobiography, painted, sculpted, and conceptualized various mechanical inventions. Preserved with an exceptional degree of physical integrity, the study and its surrounding park-like grounds stand as a unique monument to Wallace's intellectual achievements, literary legacy, and varied contributions to American history.