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The Indiana State Museum was once a City Hall and has become a showplace for Indiana Culture and natural history. It contains permanent exhibits that detail everything from an ancient glacier to 1990 Indiana streets. The Museum profiles the history of sports by showing the top athletes and teams. One of the best exhibits examines the phenomenon and popularity of the Indiana high school basketball tournament.
The Museum began as a cabinet of minerals and curiosities that state librarian R. Delass Brown set up in 1862. Now the Indiana Museum Collection of regional American art is comprised of over 2,000 paintings, works of art on paper, and sculpture by Indiana artists. By focusing on art created by Indiana artists or relating to Indiana, the Museum has amassed a significant collection of American regional art dating from the early 18th century to the present.
Freetown Village, a living history exhibit, is housed at the Indiana State Museum. Freetown Village brings to life the post Civil War area of African Americans in Indiana through first-person interpretation and portrayal. The characters of Freetown are historical composites of the nearly 3,000 African Americans who lived in Indianapolis in 1870.
The Indiana State Museum is known as one of the finest examples of 20th century architecture in the area. Indiana's environment as it was more than 200 years ago is featured in the exhibit. Prehistoric Indiana, which includes a glacier wall and a life size mammoth, describe Indiana's geologic past.
The Museum is currently located in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. However, in May of 2002, the Museum will relocate to the new White River State Park, near the Eiteljorg Museum and the NCAA Hall of Champions. |
