Plan your visit
Plan a Field Trip
Schedule Your TourFloor Plans
Get out of the classroom
Take your students on a field trip they will never forget!
Your students have studied history; now they can DO history. Our experiences bring Indiana’s stories to life. A visit to the History Center in downtown Indianapolis includes admission to all exhibits in the Indiana Experience and can include additional interactive activities. Our team will customize an experience that fits your needs, no matter what grade or subject you teach.
All experiences meet Indiana Academic Standards in Social Studies and other subjects. Find out which standards are addressed here.
For further information or to schedule a tour, please email reservations@indianahistory.org or call (317) 234-0077.
The Experience
From stepping back in time to examining primary sources, your students will love how hands-on they're encouraged to be.Students will:
- Travel back in time with our You Are There series.
- Explore primary source documents in Destination Indiana. Pinch, swipe and tap their way around the state using our newly updated technology to investigate more than 300 visual journeys into Indiana history, geography and culture.
- Assume the role of conservators and mend paper in the W. Brooks and Wanda Y. Fortune History Lab. Get a behind-the-scenes look at how science and history work together.
- Enjoy live music performances and learn about a famous Hoosier in the Cole Porter Room.
- Discover context clues and make inferences as they analyze primary source documents in INvestigation Stations and Puzzling Through History.
Tour Size and Accessibility
We require at least one chaperone for every 10 students; these chaperones are admitted free of charge and will accompany students through the entire field trip experience. Additional chaperones are welcome, however, they may not all be able to participate in the field trip experience equally due to space restrictions in the exhibition spaces. Please let us know ahead of time if you will have additional chaperones.
We recommend up to 105 students at one time for the most positive field trip experience as some of our exhibits have limited space. If your group is larger, we have several options to best accommodate your group.
Field Trips are available Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Groups of 10 or more should schedule their visit at least two weeks in advance.
Indiana Experience student group admission is $3.50 per student.
Title I schools always receive free admission; please ask about transportation reimbursement while funds last.
Bus fund supported by The Ackerman Foundation
The Science Behind History Find out how STEM plays a role in preserving our past
“My team took our students on a field trip to the History Center – it was AMAZING! The kids LOVED it and they even got free family passes to come back and visit another time.”
– Lisa Fortney, fourth grade teacher
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Full Staff DirectoryOur Hours
ExhibitsOpen 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through ThursdayOpen 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday
Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. SaturdayWilliam H. Smith Memorial LibraryOpen 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through SaturdayHistory MarketOpen 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through SaturdayStardust Terrace Café HoursOpen 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday