Indiana Experience Fact Sheet

What is the Indiana Experience?
The Indiana Experience brings both the people of the state and visitors from around the world a uniquely Indiana experience. Interactive and high-technology experiences allow the IHS to share the tremendous archival holdings of the IHS, including 1.6 million photographs, in easy and enjoyable ways.

What are the elements that comprise the Indiana Experience?
Ongoing elements of the Indiana Experience include:

• You Are There experiences are three-dimensionally recreated historic photographs that include trained first-person interpreters who interact with visitors and elicit personal connections to the past, allowing visitors to step through—and into—the image to become part of that history.
• Destination Indiana is a facilitated, interactive opportunity for visitors to “travel through time” using innovative digital technology, touch screens and immersive displays of historic images and documents to explore and understand the story of Indiana as a place.
• The Fortune History Lab is a hands-on demonstration lab that allows visitors to learn and participate in conservation and preservation activities. Within that space, INvestigation Stations provide a series of activity areas for visitors to engage in the process of “doing” history as they learn how to analyze historic documents, research their family tree, search for clues in historic photographs and explore careers in history.
• The Cole Porter Room is an intimate multimedia space with a performer/facilitator and original materials dedicated to the interpretation of Cole Porter’s life and work.

Periodic, scheduled programs of the Indiana Experience include:

• Anything Goes is a periodic, seasonal event that uses cabaret-style shows in a 1940s era nightclub setting to involve guests in an appreciation of the work of Cole Porter, Hoagy Carmichael, and other American musical greats.
• The Indiana Town Hall Series is an ongoing series of public forum discussions with expert panelists exploring contemporary, yet enduring, topics from the perspective of the past, present and future.

When does the Indiana Experience open to the public?
The Grand Opening of the Indiana Experience is set for 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 20, 2010, and the opening weekend celebration will continue through Sunday, March 21. Opening week will culminate with the IHS’s annual Circus Day on Saturday, March 27.

Will there be any Indiana Experience-related events prior to the Public Grand Opening?
Yes—the Indiana Experience Gala will take place Friday, March 19, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. The event includes hors d’oeuvres stations, desserts and an open bar, in addition to a sneak peak of the Indiana Experience. Cost is $50 per person or $92 for two (in honor of each Indiana County); for tickets or more information, call (317) 233-6578.

What are the operating hours for the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center and the Indiana Experience?
Regular operating hours for the Indiana Experience and the William H. Smith Memorial Library are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Basile History Market is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the Stardust Terrace Café is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center is closed Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. The building is also closed on the following Mondays: Presidents Day, Easter Monday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and Columbus Day.

Is there an admission charge for the Indiana Experience?
IHS members and children younger than five receive free admission to the Indiana Experience. Regular admission cost is $7 for adults, $6.50 for seniors (60 and older) and $5 per child (ages five to 17). Group rates for adults, seniors and students are available.

Admission to the William H. Smith Memorial Library, Basile History Market and Stardust Terrace Café is free.

Is there a cost to park in the History Center lot?
Parking is complimentary for members visiting the History Center, with paid admission to the Indiana Experience, for patrons of the William H. Smith Memorial Library and/or with a $7 purchase at the Stardust Terrace Café or Basile History Market.

About the Indiana Historical Society
Since 1830, the Indiana Historical Society has been Indiana’s Storyteller™, connecting people to the past by collecting, preserving, interpreting and sharing the state’s history. A private, nonprofit membership organization, IHS maintains the nation’s premier research library and archives on the history of Indiana and the Old Northwest. IHS also provides support and assistance to local museums and historical groups, publishes books and periodicals; sponsors teacher workshops; and provides youth, adult and family programming.

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To receive an electronic copy of this press release, more information and/or images, or to schedule an interview, please contact Amy Lamb, Media Relations Manager, at (317) 232-1878 or alamb@indianahistory.org.

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