Married to industrialist and philanthropist Eli Lilly for 45 years, she is noted for her many contributions to the arts and culture landscape of Indiana, particularly Indianapolis.
[4] In addition to gifts given with her husband, Ruth made philanthropic contributions of her own, particularly to conservative and religious causes and to the Children's Museum of Indianapolis.
[2] She was a member of the board of trustees of the Children's Museum of Indianapolis, and the Ruth Allison Lilly Theater there is named for her.
[5] She was honored in 1941 for her contributions to the United China Relief Fund, receiving a signed certificate from Madame Chiang Kai-shek.
[2] Ruth conducted research on furnishings and decorative arts of the early 19th century at the Indiana State Library.
[2] In addition to their preservation work at Conner Prairie, they also purchased and restored the Kemper House in downtown Indianapolis.
[2] In 1973, an exhibition of Ruth Lilly's collection of watches and timepieces opened at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.