IHS Celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Life and Legacy with a Free Day of Fun, Reflection and Service

Indianapolis—The Indiana Historical Society (IHS) invites guests to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, Jan. 16, with free admission to performances, programs and service opportunities, as well as the award-winning Indiana Experience.

Typically closed on Mondays, the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, located at 450 W. Ohio St., will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The daylong celebration, presented by HealthNet, will allow guests to step back in time with You Are There exhibits, take virtual time-travel journeys with Destination Indiana and have songs performed live upon request in the Cole Porter Room.

In the Frank and Katrina Basile Theater, visitors will enjoy Harmless as Doves: Based on YAT 1968: Robert F. Kennedy Speaks, an original short play based on Robert F. Kennedy’s Indianapolis speech the night Dr. King was killed. In addition, the Griot Drum Ensemble will entertain audiences with its high-energy, African-influenced drumming, dance and storytelling performances.

Moving to the William H. Smith Memorial Library, visitors will have the chance to take part in several short talks led by Wilma Gibbs Moore, IHS senior archivist for African American History. One presentation will use items from IHS’s collections to highlight Dr. King’s visits to the state. A second presentation will place a variety of IHS’s collection images in historical context, and the third will focus on Indiana’s Early African American Settlements Heritage Initiative.

In Eli Lilly Hall, visitors will contribute to the pop-up exhibit Dream Direction and share hopes for the future of the city, state and nation. In addition, Lilly Hall will be home to IHS’s traveling exhibit Who Is A Hoosier?, made possible by Kroger. The exhibit uses maps, graphics and photographs to highlight Indiana’s changing communities and the wide range of people who identify as proud Hoosiers.

Another important element of the History Center’s free celebration is service. Visitors will help prepare care packages to benefit the HealthNet Homeless Initiative, with support from Target and The Gentle Dentist. In addition, guests may drop off gently used winter clothing, such as coats, gloves, hats, mittens and scarves. The clothing drive is in memory of HealthNet optometrist Jill Buck and two of her children, Branson and Aidan, whose lives were lost in a multi-car crash in July 2015.

IHS’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration is presented by HealthNet. For more information on this event or IHS’s other programs and resources, call (317) 232-1882 or visit www.indianahistory.org.

About the Indiana Historical Society

Since 1830, the Indiana Historical Society has been Indiana’s Storyteller™, 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 programs. IHS is a Smithsonian Affiliate and a member of the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience.

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