Since 1830, the Indiana Historical Society has been Indiana’s StorytellerTM, connecting people to the past by collecting, preserving 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 and presents a unique set of visitor experiences called the Indiana Experience. IHS also provides support and assistance to local museums and historical groups; publishes books and periodicals; sponsors teacher workshops; produces and hosts art exhibitions, museum theater and outside performance groups; and provides youth, adult and family programming. IHS is a Smithsonian Affiliate and a member of the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience.
IHS is headquartered in the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center – home of the Indiana Experience.
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John Herbst was appointed president and CEO of the Indiana Historical Society in 2006. For more than 40 years, he has worked as an educator, curator and exhibit specialist and as CEO of museums in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Indiana. John began his career as a high school teacher in 1974 at Paterson Catholic High School in New Jersey where he moderated a junior historian club. He involved his students in award-winning local history projects, creating publications and exhibits. In 1977, he became the curator of history at the Paterson Museum and was instrumental in later having the museum moved from tiny cramped quarters to the Rogers Locomotive Shop in the Great Falls Historic District where he was on the board of directors for 10 years. He also served as a trustee of the Passaic County Historical Society for a decade.
Learn More“I’ve been blessed in that the role of the institutions I’ve served has been to help define place - to identify a region’s characteristics and what makes it special.”
– John Herbst, President and CEOThe Board of Trustees serves as the governing body for IHS, which is a private, not-for-profit organization. The board ensures that the Indiana Historical Society is fiscally healthy and fulfilling its mission. It is made up of community leaders from throughout the state who are chosen for their experience and expertise, and who represent the many constituencies of IHS. This volunteer body meets on a quarterly basis and includes historians, business and civic leaders, attorneys, teachers, retirees and other citizens of Indiana.
MEET THEMOur facility couldn’t run the way it does without the incredible talent of all our employees.
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Meet Our Staff