Indiana Historical Society

If you haven't seen the Eva Kor's exhibit, please go because it is leaving soon! Eva also built a small museum in Terre Haute called Candles. It is small, but very much worth the drive.Only our 2nd year for the annual Christmas Tree Display and it did not disappoint.....thank you to all the vendors.Veterans are FREE along with their partners, makes for a lovely afternoon. And they have their own parking lot, easy.

Tradition lives on to visit IHS for the Festival of Trees! There were 80 trees on display this year. We always have fun exploring and voting for our favorite tree.

If you have not been to the Indiana Historical Society, this is the time to go. The Festival of Trees is a holiday highlight with over 70 trees decorated by various charities, universities and businesses. The trees are a fabulous venue for Christmas photos and a great way to learn about local organizations. In the Cole Porter room, you can learn about Cole and request some of his great songs. There is currently a special basketball exhibit with info about Hoosier greats. Then kids can design a Converse basketball shoe and post to a rotating screen. Parking is free for members and they have a dedicated lot. But you need to get there early. The views of the adjacent canal are beautiful. The gift shop is interesting. And there is a fun cafe on the canal level. What's not to love.

Music on the Canal is a wonderful peaceful setting while listening to music. We went to the Beatles tribute (Beatless) and sat on the west side in the shade.Free parking and a short walk down the hill to set up your chairs or blanket. Or you can reserve a table in advance.We bought food from their menu and enjoyed barbecue sandwiches and corn salad while watching mama and baby ducklings in the canal, swan paddleboats going by, and people watching.

My family and I came here to look at all the beautiful Christmas trees and to take pictures. It was my first time going and we had a wonderful time. I liked how laid back it was, you literally walk around and look at all the different tree decorations and man it gets serious in there with how unique the trees look. It takes a lot of effort to decorate those trees. When you first walk in, you are able to get your tickets. They have military and educator discounts which is amazing and sweet. We got our wristbands and were free to roam around and look at the different floors that had Christmas trees. They also had a mini eatery in the lower level headed out to the canal and that was nice too. If you've never been- def try it out. It was a cool experience. Pros Christmas trees Entrance discounts Beautiful environment Cons Maybe some activities would be cool to do in there for the kids and family. Thanks!

Went during the festival of trees this year. I have never been here before and it is a very interesting place. The trees are beautiful and I was able to find all but one pickle on the certain trees that had them. There are a lot of trees to see. Didn't find the elf on the shelf! I would like to come back to Visit the Eva Kor exhibit.

I came here with my family for the festival of trees. I wasn't expecting much but to look at trees and that's what it was. I wasn't expecting staff to be short with me and lacking communication when you ask them something. I also didn't expect that the only African American mr and mrs clause to be tucked off into a corner behind an elevator. I also have to mention the lack of African American history here. There was just a great lack of diversity here and there's nothing here for children. It was very disappointing and embarrassing.

"Back home again in Indiana,And it seems that I can seeThe gleaming candlelight, still burning bright,Through the sycamores for me."Most of the country overlooks Indiana. We're widely known for corn and auto racing. "Hoosier," a moniker I wear with pride, is synonymous with "hick" or "yokel" to a lot of our too-cool-for-school countrymen on the coasts. Fortunately, Indiana is far more than corn, racing, and yokels. The Indiana Historical Society (IHS) is proof.The IHS is nearly as old as the State of Indiana itself: founded in 1830 when the Hoosier State was just 14-years-old. It's a living organization, and it grows as our homeland ages. It's an organization celebrating and documenting the contribution of all Hoosiers from the indigenous to the European settler, the Jew and Gentile, and people of all shades. "The new-mown hay sends all its fragranceThrough the fields I used to roam."A trip to the IHS is more than a visit to a museum. It's an exploration into what makes us Hoosiers, and the indelible mark we've made on the world entire - through art, science, technology, politics, and business. Just see the Cole Porter Room if you're wondering how a man from a small Indiana town became a major influence on Broadway and Hollywood. Really, upon entrance, you'll feel as though you've traveled through time. Stay awhile.The IHS also has special exhibits highlighting Hoosier achievements through history - and not all Hoosiers were born in Indiana. A relatively new exhibit details the journey of Indiana Sachem and Sagamore of the Wabash, Eva Kor, a Romanian-born victim of Nazi atrocities. Through technology, the visitor is transported to Eva's childhood, including the tragic times she spent imprisoned at Auschwitz. Despite Eva's death, her spirit lives in the virtual space where visitors can continue to interact with her, learning of her journey to peace and forgiveness. If you visit the IHS, whether it be for a casual stroll or to participate in one of its many projects, you'll be proud of this land."When I dream about the moonlight on the Wabash,How I long for my Indiana home."

The building is beautiful, and lots of interesting displays to learn Indiana history. Check their website, as they often have special deals on admission.Do not miss the Cole Porter room! Sandy was singing the day we visited, and they take requests! Such a lovely experience to enjoy her lovely singing of your favorite Cole Porter tune.After our visit, we enjoyed a lovely walk along the canal.

I have passed this museum many times and was curious as to what was in there. I finally had the opportunity to go and took it. This is one of the best museums that I have been to, hands down. I wish I could give it a few more stars, but I guess 5 will have to do. I have no idea how I was the only one there other than it being a weekday. This place should be packed. They have a private parking lot with free parking. They validate your ticket with admission. The museum is eye catching on the outside. It is well organized, clean and very trendy on the inside. Even though the building looks huge. Exhibit space is small. You can cover all the exhibits under 2 hours.This place is so very interactive. My first stop was the Destination Indiana exhibit. They had a film playing that showed Indianapolis's history. Then they had some kiosks set up where you could pick what you want to learn about, including Indiana railroad, sports, special topics. They have revolving You Are There exhibits. During my visit there was a two on the first floor and one on the second. One the first floor there was the Madam CJ Walker, Empowering Women and Celebrate Indianapolis (1920 Centennial) exhibits. The exhibits were awesome. They had a ton of photos, packed with information and had cool videos. That alone would have been enough, but they take it to another level. They actually have real live actors for you to interact with that take you back to that time. They are pros. They will not break character. The actor playing Madam CJ Walker was amazing. The first floor is also home to the Cole Porter Room. It is a room designed in the likeness of New York's famed Waldorf-Astoria Hotel and a tribute to Peru, IN composer and song writer Cole Porter. This is one of the museums permanent exhibits.They have the Gennett Studio exhibit on the second floor and some more actors for you to interact with. And like the other actors, they still in character. The second floor is also home to a library and history lab, where you learn about historical preservation.This museum is located right off the canal and has a patio area that would be awesome to hand out on in warmer weather. You will definitely learn a lot of Indiana visiting this museum. I really loved, loved, loved this museum. I will surely be back. I love that they have different exhibits, so it can virtually be an entirely different museum every time you visit.