About the Museum
Comprehensive museum exploring Indiana's natural and cultural history. Collections cover prehistoric peoples, pioneer settlement, sports heritage, and industrial development.
World-Class Collections and Exhibitions
Located in the heart of downtown Indianapolis within White River State Park, the Indiana State Museum houses over 500,000 objects documenting the state's natural and cultural heritage since its founding in 1862. The museum's collection is organized into six "Centers of Excellence" focusing on Ice Age paleontology, Abraham Lincoln, Indiana art and artists, quilts and textiles, Indiana industry and agriculture, and state archaeology. Among the museum's most treasured holdings are signed copies of both the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th Amendment, more than 350 documents bearing Lincoln's signature, and Alexander Gardner's studio chair in which President Lincoln sat for his most iconic portraits.
Spanning three floors of permanent and changing galleries, the museum brings Indiana's story to life through innovative exhibits. In the "Frozen Reign: A State of Change" gallery, visitors can touch the tooth of a saber-toothed cat, explore a subglacial ice tunnel, and examine artifacts from 10,000-year-old Clovis points to 2,000-year-old ceramic pottery. The "First Nations" exhibit features Potawatomi storytelling, 3D-printed mud daub displays, and interactive activities covering 12,000 years of indigenous history. Gallery One offers 5,500 square feet of rotating exhibits where visitors interact with objects in unexpected and playful ways. The museum complex also includes a spectacular IMAX theater with a six-story screen showing both educational documentaries and contemporary films.
Educational Programs and Community Events
The Indiana State Museum serves as an active educational hub with year-round programming designed for students and families. Annual events include the Geology Festival each February where students explore Paleozoic seas and Ice Age caves, STEAM Days in March offering hands-on science activities, and the exciting Pinewood Derby featuring a two-story, 125-foot racetrack down which participants race their custom-built cars. The museum also hosts the Eco-Science Challenge, inviting innovative students to present projects on aquaculture, alternative energy, urban farming, and recycling initiatives. Beyond exhibits, visitors can enjoy dining at The Farmers Market Café and the historic L.S. Ayres Tea Room, and shop for unique items at the Indiana Store, making the museum a complete cultural destination in downtown Indianapolis.
What to See
- More than 500,000 objects documenting Indiana's natural and cultural heritage
- Six "Centers of Excellence," including Ice Age paleontology and Abraham Lincoln collections
- Signed copies of the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th Amendment
- The "First Nations" exhibit covering 12,000 years of indigenous history
- An IMAX theater with a six-story screen and rotating galleries
Planning Your Visit
The museum is located in White River State Park at 650 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204, and can be reached at (317) 232-1637. According to the museum, it is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. Because admission, IMAX showtimes, and special-event schedules change, confirm current details before your visit on the official website at indianamuseum.org. The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites also oversees historic sites across the state.
Explore Indiana's Historical Landscape
Use the When It Was app to discover historical businesses, landmarks, and buildings throughout Indiana. See how your community has transformed over the decades.
Explore When It Was →