Vietnam Veterans Family Day

Honor service, history, and family at Vietnam Veterans Family Day—a welcoming, hands-on celebration at the History Center. Guests of all ages are invited to experience powerful documentary screenings, take part in engaging art and learning activities, and step back in time by creating their own DIY tintypes.

Tintype photographer Dale Bernstein will also be on site capturing meaningful family portraits for veterans, preserving stories and connections through this historic photographic process. Join us for a day of remembrance, creativity, and community. 

Reserve your session with Dale Bernstein. Images will be available for pickup from the Indiana Historical Society in April.

To honor their service, we offer active, retired, and veteran military as well as their family members free admission year-round(with ID). Advance admission is not required, discount will be applied at the door with valid ID.

Activities are included with admission and will be available between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Exhibits will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Visitors will be able to: 

• Design and decorate paper helmets in the History Lab. 

• Make a faux Tintype or collage in Eli Lilly Hall to reflect on the feelings attached to war. 

• Play a game of Connect Four to learn facts about the Vietnam War. 

• Donate items to Veterans and their families that will become care packages by HVAF of Indiana (see suggested list below).

• Watch documentaries by Hoosier Filmmaker Ron Osgood in the Basile Theater. 

• • 12 p.m. – Just Like Me The Vietnam War/ The American War 

• • 2 p.m. – My Vietnam Your Iraq 

HVAF’s pantry is available to any veteran in need of emergency food, gently used clothing, and other personal items. Suggestions are listed below:

• Non-Perishable Foods
• Canned Meat
• Canned Fruit and Soups
• Pasta and Pasta Sauce
• Peanut Butter and Jelly
• Towels
• Pillows
• Wash Cloths
• Men’s Long Johns
• Boxers and Briefs
• Shaving Cream (men’s and women’s)
• Deodorant (men’s and women’s)
• Shampoo & Conditioner (men’s and women’s)
• Feminine Products
• Lotion
• Toothpaste
• Batteries

This program is presented by Carter Family Fund

With Additional Support from Ayres Foundation and Nicholas H. Noyes, Jr., Memorial Foundation, Inc., and Arthur Jordan Foundation