Celebrating AAPI in Your Home and Classroom!

May 19, 2023

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! The AAPI community has had profound impacts on the Hoosier community. In 2016, the Indiana Historical Society (IHS) initiated a multicultural collecting project to begin filling the gap of historically underrepresented voices in the IHS’s archives, including those of Asian American Hoosiers.

Nicole Martinez-LeGrand, curator of multicultural collections, along with Daniel Gonzales, director of exhibitions curation, combed the IHS collection for records about and/or donated by Indiana’s Asian American residents or those with connections to them to write one of the newest books from the IHS Press, “Asian American Voices in Indiana”.

But the ways to access these stories do not end with this book!  Mariah Pol created and published 8 fantastic lesson plans in connection to this book as well as the online Be Heard: Asian Experiences in Indiana. All three resources are great ways to explore images and personal stories of more than 100 years of Asian heritage in the Hoosier State. More educational resources on this topic as well as other topics related to Immigration and Ethnic Heritage can be found under our curriculum resources.

If you are looking for something a little more hands on and in person, stop by the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center now through May 27!  The traveling exhibit, Be Heard: Asian Experiences in Indiana, and cultural outfits representing multiple nations and regions of Asia will be on display. The History Center will be open late for heritage Night on Tuesday, May 23, or join us on Saturday May 20 and 27 for Heritage Days with performances, food, activities and more!

For a full list of daily events visit the event page. Take note, you can save $2 off adult or senior admission by purchasing your tickets in advance. And teachers, don’t forget to take advantage of your discount on books in the store!

Beth Brandon is the Manager of Multi-Generational Programming at IHS. She is a children’s book enthusiast, preservation lover, and Indianapolis’ biggest fan.

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