IHS Expands Festival of Trees Holiday Exhibit with More Trees, More Hours

Indianapolis—The Indiana Historical Society’s (IHS’s) annual Festival of Trees holiday exhibit is growing, with more to see and more time to see it. The winter wonderland will be on display Friday, Nov. 18 through Friday, Dec. 30, at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center.

New this year, 72 elaborately themed trees will decorate the History Center, up from 50 trees in 2015. New themes will play off recent events, such as the World Series and Indiana’s Bicentennial Torch Relay, as well as pop culture favorites, such as Disney’s Frozen and Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros.

There are also opportunities to interact with the exhibit, such as voting for favorite trees or donating clothing items. HealthNet, a local non-profit network of primary care health centers, will be accepting new or gently-used coats, gloves, hats, mittens and scarves in a collection box located beneath its tree.

Also new this year, guests will enjoy live, local holiday music while taking in the magic of the trees at night. Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve, the History Center will be open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays. The exhibit’s remaining hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesdays through Saturdays, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. The History Center is closed on Mondays.

Festival of Trees is free for IHS members. In addition, IHS is offering two free admission days this holiday season, on Saturday, Dec. 3, for Holiday Author Fair and on Friday, Dec. 9.

Festival of Trees is presented by The Lacy Foundation with support from The Mothershead Foundation. For more information about IHS’s holiday offerings, as well as other programs and resources, call (317) 232-1882 or visit www.indianahistory.org.

More to See and Do This Holiday Season at IHS

DAILY
Sing-Alongs
In the History Center’s Cole Porter Room, a singer will lead guests through holiday-themed songs and entertain crowds with popular Porter standards.

The Elf on the Shelf
IHS’s Facebook page will be the place to go for hints on where to find The Elf on the Shelf. Guests who spot him will be able to claim a small prize in the Welcome Center.

TUESDAYS
Twilight Tuesdays
Open until 9 p.m., between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve
On Tuesdays, guests can see the beauty of the trees at night and enjoy local talent presenting the music of the season. A complete schedule is available at www.indianahistory.org.

SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS
Vintage Santa
Noon to 4 p.m.
A Santa from the past will stroll through the History Center to hand out special treats to children of all ages.

Holiday Handmades
Noon to 4 p.m.
From coloring to creating an elf, weekend visitors to the History Center can create special handmade crafts to take home.

SATURDAY, DEC. 3
Holiday Author Fair
Noon to 4 p.m.
IHS’s free annual Holiday Author Fair will feature more than 60 authors in a fun-filled day of book signing and mingling. This year’s featured authors will include Dan Carpenter, Philip Gulley, James Alexander Thom and Scott Russell Sanders, making his first appearance in several years. Another highlight of the 2016 Holiday Author Fair will be an appearance by former Indiana Fever star and Olympic gold medalist Tamika Catchings. Visit www.indianahistory.org for a full list of authors and books.

SUNDAY, DEC. 4
Growing Little Leaves: Family History through Traditions
1 to 3 p.m.
Guests of all ages will explore favorite family traditions with their favorite toys. Visitors will share their own traditions and learn about other holiday celebrations throughout history.

THURSDAY, DEC. 15
Good Beers and Ugly Sweaters
5:30 to 8 p.m.
For the third year in a row, IHS will present a special holiday HOPPY hour. IHS invites guests to wear their ugliest holiday sweater while tasting complimentary seasonal beers produced by local craft brewers. There will be live music and a prize for the best holiday sweater.

Early registration is $15, $12 for IHS members. Cost at the door is $20. Guests must be 21 or older. Ticket includes five craft beer tastings and hearty appetizers. Register online at 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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