Experience worlds and times of the past with these magnificent museums of Indianapolis. There is fun for the whole family and the museums below are ideal spots for those wanting to learn more, not only about the culture of Indiana‘s capital city, but also of other cultures too.
Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians & Western Art
At Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians & Western Art, visitors have the opportunity to not only enjoy the beauties of western art, but they can also explore the history of the American Indians, their art, and lifestyle. There is also a garden that is open for viewing during any season, with freshly budded spring flowers or branches and flower petals that are weighed down by the snow or rain. These plants have an intriguing ethane botanical history that is specific to Indiana and are worth seeing just as the indoor art collections are worth viewing as well.
At 30,000-square-feet with history chronologically placed throughout to display American history from the Revolutionary War until the present, the Indiana War Memorial is in a category of its own. The museum’s purpose is to commemorate, memorialize, and acknowledge the past of America through the many wars it has participated in, the victories, the losses, and the lives lost. It also has a collection of thousands of pieces of military equipment, weapons, uniforms, and many other artifacts of the wars fought. Another important mission is to educate the public on the part Indiana played in the history of America’s military forces and why it should matter.
From African art to contemporary design, the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA) has collections for many different kinds of art enthusiasts. For those interested in research and documented resources, the museum has two libraries on its campus: the Stout Reference Library and the Horticulture Society Library. Between both libraries, there are thousands of non-circulating research collections and general reference books that are available upon request and to the public respectively. The IMA is among the top museums in Indiana and regularly hosts new exhibitions, adding to its astounding collections.
Opening hours: Tue-Wed and Fri-Sat 11am-5pm, Thurs 11am-9pm, Sun 12pm-5pm
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is the perfect place for children to explore their curiosities. With exhibits and demonstrations designed for children to be thoroughly entertained, this museum is easily a big stress reliever for parents. It’s also a fantastic and entertaining educational journey for children with live theater performances, science exhibitions, exhibits of beloved children’s characters, and much more.
The Colonel Eli Lily Civil War Museum is 9,000-square-feet of space and is located in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. What’s special about this museum is that it explores the civil war from the perspective of Indiana and the effect the war had on the people of Indiana. This is quite rare to come by and it can be very informative for both the people of Indiana and those who are not. There are even large video re-enactments of real situations of war that put it into this unique perspective. If you are a teacher planning a field trip for a class about the civil war, or just a history buff who enjoys the wiles of history, this museum will provide a fascinating experience unlike any other.
