Exhibits

Current Exhibits

Freedom’s Framework: As the United States commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, this exhibit explores how the ideals of liberty and equality were tested as the nation expanded west. Through artifacts, immersive experiences, and personal stories, discover how generations of Americans helped shape our nation’s path and how, united, we continue to carry its story forward.

Hoosiers at the Polls: While Indiana’s presence at the polls on Election Day is important, so are the campaigns, rallies and marches for change that take place before a single ballot is filled out. This exhibit explores voting progress, including the standardization of ballots, amending constitutional rights, and advancements in when and how you can cast your vote.

New Harmony: Echoes of Utopia: The town of New Harmony is located on the banks of the Wabash River, near the Illinois border in Indiana’s southwestern corner. The town’s origins date back to the turn of the nineteenth century, when the first utopian society was founded in 1814. A second society followed in 1825. This exhibit focuses on how the Harmonists and Owenites left their mark on the town’s cultural landscape, as well as the intellectual and political development of Indiana in the nineteenth century.

Hoosier Voices from Vietnam: Hear directly from Hoosiers who served in Vietnam. Based on the interviews conducted, the exhibit may include stories from members of the Marine Corps, Air Force, Navy and Army, who served in any capacity. The exhibit will also showcase some of the nonmilitary support roles of those who were in Vietnam, such as the United Service Organizations and the American Red Cross.

The Electric Railway: Indiana’s Interurbans: Indiana is as central to the history of the interurban as the interurban is central to the history of Indiana, as interurbans provided many Hoosiers with transportation across the state and changed the Indiana landscape. With more than 1,800 miles of interurban rail lines, the state was second only to Ohio in rail mileage and produced many of the industry’s leaders such as Charles L. Henry, Arthur W. Brady and Hugh McGowan. In this exhibit, there are several interactive spaces, including a room dressed as the interior of a rural interurban station from the early 20th century with text and hands-on discovery. There will also be a re-created interurban car, where guests will “ride the interurban,” which involves a multi-sensory experience and an immersive video presentation.

Cole Porter Room

Come into the Cole Porter Room – designed to evoke the style of New York’s famed Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.

W. Brooks and Wanda Y. Fortune History Lab

In the History Lab, go behind the scenes of a real conservation lab and explore the technology used to preserve the IHS collection.