How to Visit the Indiana Historical Society

The Indiana Historical Society (IHS) is one of the nation’s oldest and most respected institutions dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich heritage of the Hoosier State. Founded in 1830, it serves as a vital cultural hub for residents, researchers, students, and tourists seeking to explore Indiana’s past through original documents, artifacts, interactive exhibits, and educational programs. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a genealogist tracing ancestral roots, or a family looking for an engaging day out, visiting the Indiana Historical Society offers a uniquely immersive experience. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step roadmap to help you plan and maximize your visit—covering logistics, best practices, essential tools, real-life examples, and answers to common questions. By following this guide, you’ll ensure a seamless, enriching, and memorable journey into Indiana’s storied past.

Step-by-Step Guide

Planning a visit to the Indiana Historical Society requires thoughtful preparation. Below is a detailed, chronological breakdown of every step you should take—from initial research to leaving the building—with practical tips to enhance your experience.

Research Your Purpose for Visiting

Before setting foot on the grounds, clarify your reason for visiting. Are you here to explore a specific exhibit? Conduct genealogical research? Attend a lecture? Bring children for educational enrichment? The IHS offers diverse offerings, and knowing your goal helps you prioritize your time. Visit the official website at indianahistory.org to review current and upcoming exhibits, public programs, and research resources. Pay attention to seasonal themes—such as Civil War anniversaries, pioneer life displays, or African American heritage months—as these often feature special collections not available year-round.

Check Operating Hours and Holidays

The Indiana Historical Society is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with extended hours on select evenings for special events. It is closed on Sundays, Mondays, and major holidays including New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Always verify the calendar on their website before your visit, as hours may vary during holidays, inclement weather, or private functions. If you’re traveling from out of state, consider scheduling your visit mid-week to avoid weekend crowds and ensure better access to staff and resources.

Plan Your Transportation and Parking

The Indiana Historical Society is located at 450 West Ohio Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202, in the heart of downtown. If you’re driving, several parking options are available within a five-minute walk. The most convenient is the IHS-owned parking garage at 445 West Ohio Street, which offers validated parking for visitors—simply present your parking ticket at the front desk for a discount. Other nearby public garages include the Market Square Garage and the City-County Building Garage. For those using public transit, the IndyGo bus system serves multiple routes that stop within two blocks of the building. The Central Library stop (Route 8) and the Washington Street stop (Route 1) are particularly accessible.

Purchase or Reserve Tickets

Admission to the Indiana Historical Society’s permanent exhibits is free for all visitors. However, special exhibitions, guided tours, and ticketed events (such as lectures, film screenings, or family workshops) may require advance reservations. Check the “Events” section of the website to see if any paid programs coincide with your visit. If so, reserve your spot online to guarantee entry, as space is often limited. While walk-ins are welcome for general admission, pre-registering for special events ensures you won’t be turned away.

Prepare for Your Visit

Before arriving, download the IHS mobile app (available for iOS and Android) to access digital maps, exhibit descriptions, and audio guides. Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the building spans multiple floors and includes several staircases. Bring a reusable water bottle—there are hydration stations on the first and third floors. If you plan to take photographs, note that flash photography is prohibited in exhibit areas to protect artifacts, but non-flash photography is permitted for personal use. For researchers, bring a laptop or tablet, a notebook, and a USB drive if you plan to digitize documents. No food or drink is allowed in the research library or exhibit halls.

Arrive and Check In

Upon arrival, enter through the main doors on West Ohio Street. A friendly greeter will welcome you and provide a printed floor map. If you’ve reserved a special event, proceed to the check-in desk near the admissions area. For general visitors, head directly to the first-floor lobby, where you’ll find the Welcome Center. Here, staff can answer questions, recommend exhibits based on your interests, and provide brochures for self-guided tours. Don’t hesitate to ask about docent-led tours, which are offered hourly on weekends and last approximately 45 minutes.

Explore the Permanent Exhibits

The IHS’s permanent exhibition, “Indiana: A Living Legacy,” is a must-see. Spanning three floors and over 20,000 square feet, this immersive experience uses multimedia, original artifacts, and interactive displays to tell the story of Indiana from prehistoric times to the present. Start on the first floor with “First Peoples,” which showcases Native American cultures through pottery, tools, and oral histories. Move upstairs to “Frontier Life,” where you can sit in a recreated 1810s log cabin or touch replica buffalo hides. The second floor features “Industrial Indiana,” highlighting the state’s role in railroads, manufacturing, and innovation. Don’t miss the “Voices of Indiana” wall, where you can listen to firsthand accounts from Hoosiers across generations.

Visit the Research Library and Archives

If your purpose is academic or genealogical, the Brown Library on the third floor is an invaluable resource. Open to the public, it houses over 10 million items, including family papers, city directories, newspapers, maps, photographs, and business records. To use the library, you must register at the front desk with a valid photo ID. Staff will issue you a researcher card and assign a workstation. Materials are non-circulating, but you may request items from closed stacks using the online catalog or by speaking with an archivist. Digital microfilm readers and high-resolution scanners are available for free use. Allow at least two hours if you plan to conduct in-depth research.

Attend a Program or Workshop

The IHS regularly hosts educational programs, including storytelling sessions for children, history-themed trivia nights, and lectures by visiting scholars. Check the event calendar for daily offerings. Family-friendly programs like “History Hunters” encourage kids to solve puzzles using historical clues, while adult workshops cover topics like “Preserving Family Photographs” or “Tracing Your Ancestors with DNA.” These programs are often free with admission and require no reservation unless noted. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to secure seating.

Shop at the Museum Store

Before leaving, visit the IHS Museum Store on the first floor. It offers a curated selection of books on Indiana history, locally made crafts, replica artifacts, and unique gifts. Proceeds support the Society’s educational initiatives. Popular items include Indiana state flag pins, vintage postcards, and children’s history activity kits. If you’re planning to visit again, consider purchasing a membership—details are available at the store or online.

Leave with Purpose

As you exit, take a moment to complete the visitor feedback survey available on tablets near the exit. Your input helps shape future exhibits and services. Consider following the IHS on social media (@IndianaHistory) for updates on new exhibits, virtual events, and community initiatives. If you found your visit meaningful, share your experience with friends or write a review on Google or Tripadvisor to help others discover this hidden gem.

Best Practices

Maximizing your visit to the Indiana Historical Society isn’t just about what you see—it’s about how you engage. These best practices ensure your experience is respectful, efficient, and deeply rewarding.

Arrive Early to Avoid Crowds

Weekend afternoons and school holidays tend to draw larger crowds, especially during traveling exhibitions. Arriving between 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. gives you the best chance to explore exhibits without congestion and secure prime seating in the research library. Early visitors also benefit from more attentive staff assistance.

Use the Digital Guide

The IHS mobile app includes an interactive map, audio commentary for key exhibits, and augmented reality features that bring historical scenes to life. Download it before you arrive to avoid delays in Wi-Fi connectivity. The app also allows you to create a personalized itinerary based on your interests—whether you’re focused on Civil War history, industrial innovation, or Native American culture.

Respect Artifact Preservation

Many objects on display are fragile, centuries-old, or irreplaceable. Never lean on display cases, touch artifacts (even if they appear sturdy), or attempt to photograph items labeled “No Photography.” Flash and UV light can degrade paper, textiles, and pigments over time. Always follow posted signage and staff instructions.

Engage with Staff and Volunteers

IHS staff and volunteers are passionate historians and often have deep knowledge beyond exhibit captions. Ask questions. Say, “Can you tell me more about this object?” or “Is there a related document in the archives?” They can point you to lesser-known items, suggest research paths, or even connect you with oral history recordings. Don’t assume they’re too busy—most welcome curious visitors.

Bring a Notebook or Use Your Phone

Even if you’re not conducting formal research, jotting down names, dates, or quotes you find compelling helps reinforce learning. Many visitors return months later to recall a specific detail they saw but didn’t record. Use your phone’s notes app or voice recorder if writing isn’t practical.

Plan for Accessibility

The Indiana Historical Society is fully ADA-compliant, with elevators, wheelchair-accessible restrooms, and sensory-friendly resources. If you or someone in your group has mobility, vision, or hearing needs, contact the visitor services team in advance to arrange accommodations such as large-print guides, ASL interpreters, or tactile tours. The IHS offers monthly “Sensory-Friendly Hours” with reduced lighting and sound—check the calendar for dates.

Combine Your Visit with Nearby Attractions

The IHS is located in the Cultural Trail district, steps away from the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the Central Library, and the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art. Plan a half-day cultural itinerary: visit IHS in the morning, have lunch at the nearby Milk Bottle Café, then explore the Eiteljorg in the afternoon. Many downtown hotels offer bundled tickets for multiple attractions.

Follow Ethical Research Practices

If using the Brown Library, always cite sources properly. Archival materials are often unpublished and protected under copyright. When publishing or sharing findings, credit the Indiana Historical Society as the source. Never remove materials from the reading room or attempt to reproduce documents without written permission.

Stay Informed About Virtual Alternatives

Not everyone can visit in person. The IHS offers extensive online resources, including digitized collections, virtual exhibits, and recorded lectures. Even if you’re visiting physically, supplement your experience by exploring these digital offerings afterward. Many items in the physical archives are available online at digital.library.indianahistory.org.

Tools and Resources

Successful visits to the Indiana Historical Society are enhanced by the right tools and resources—both digital and physical. Below is a curated list of essential tools to help you prepare, navigate, and extend your learning beyond your visit.

Official Website: indianahistory.org

The primary hub for all information. Here you’ll find current exhibits, event calendars, research guides, membership details, and digital archives. Bookmark this site—it’s updated weekly and includes downloadable PDFs of exhibit brochures and lesson plans for educators.

Indiana Historical Society Mobile App

Available on Apple App Store and Google Play. Features include: interactive floor maps, audio tours in English and Spanish, real-time exhibit wait times, event reminders, and a “Save for Later” function for items you want to revisit. The app syncs with your online account if you create one.

Indiana Digital Heritage Portal

Access over 1.5 million digitized documents, photographs, and oral histories from IHS and partner institutions at indianahistory.org/digital. Search by keyword, date, or location. Useful for genealogists and students—many records are indexed and transcribed for easy reading.

Brown Library Online Catalog

Search the library’s holdings before your visit at catalog.indianahistory.org. You can request materials in advance to have them ready when you arrive. The catalog includes rare manuscripts, county histories, and business ledgers dating back to the 1700s.

FamilySearch and Ancestry.com

While the IHS doesn’t provide direct subscriptions, its research librarians are trained to help you navigate these platforms using IHS-specific records. Many Indiana vital records, census data, and land deeds are cross-referenced in the IHS archives and can be accessed via these sites with a free library card from your local public library.

Google Arts & Culture

The IHS partners with Google to offer virtual tours of select exhibits. Explore “Indiana’s Civil War” and “Hoosier Women in History” from anywhere in the world. These high-resolution tours include zoomable artifacts and expert commentary.

Local History Apps

Apps like “Historypin” and “Indiana Historical Markers” allow you to overlay historical photos onto modern street views. Use them while walking around downtown Indianapolis to see how the city looked in 1890 or 1920.

Publications and Guides

Download free PDFs such as “A Beginner’s Guide to Genealogy in Indiana” and “100 Objects That Shaped Indiana” from the IHS Education page. These are excellent for planning your visit or as teaching aids.

Social Media Channels

Follow @IndianaHistory on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for daily historical facts, behind-the-scenes content, and announcements about pop-up exhibits. Their “Artifact of the Week” series often reveals hidden treasures not on public display.

Local Libraries and Historical Societies

Many Indiana counties have their own historical societies with complementary collections. The IHS website includes a directory of regional partners. If you’re researching a specific town or county, contact its local society—they may hold unique records not available in Indianapolis.

Academic Databases

University libraries across Indiana (IU, Purdue, Butler) offer free public access to JSTOR, ProQuest, and Project MUSE. Search for peer-reviewed articles on Indiana history. IHS librarians can help you access these databases remotely with a free researcher card.

Real Examples

Real-life stories illustrate the power and impact of visiting the Indiana Historical Society. These examples show how individuals from diverse backgrounds have used the institution to uncover truths, connect with heritage, and enrich their communities.

Example 1: A Genealogist Unearths a 19th-Century Letter

Carolyn, a retired teacher from Fort Wayne, came to the IHS to trace her great-great-grandfather, a Blacksmith who lived in Vincennes. Using the Brown Library’s digitized city directories and land records, she located his property deed. A volunteer helped her request a box of family papers donated in the 1980s. Inside, she found a handwritten letter from 1857 describing his journey from Kentucky to Indiana on foot with his wife and three children. “I cried,” Carolyn said. “I never knew he could write. Now I have his voice.” She donated a copy of the letter to her local library and gave a presentation at her church. The IHS later featured the letter in a traveling exhibit on “Hoosier Migrations.”

Example 2: A High School Class Creates a Documentary

A history teacher in Evansville brought her AP class to the IHS for a project on “Indiana During the Great Depression.” Students spent two days in the archives reviewing photographs, unemployment reports, and WPA job logs. They interviewed an IHS archivist about how the New Deal affected rural communities. Back at school, they produced a 12-minute documentary using scanned images and audio clips from the IHS oral history collection. The film won first place at the Indiana State History Fair and was screened at the IHS’s annual student showcase.

Example 3: A Veteran Reconnects with His Military Past

James, a Vietnam veteran from Gary, visited the IHS after learning the Society had collected letters from Indiana soldiers. He searched the “Military Correspondence” database and found a letter written by his older brother, who served in Korea and died in 1952. The letter, addressed to their mother, had been donated by a cousin decades ago. James met with an archivist who helped him make a digital copy. “I never knew he wrote like that,” James said. “He was funny. He made me laugh.” He later donated his brother’s military medals to the IHS’s “Indiana in Service” exhibit.

Example 4: A Tourist Discovers Indiana’s Hidden Jazz Scene

A couple from Chicago visiting Indianapolis for the first time stopped by the IHS on a rainy afternoon. They were drawn to the “Music of the Midlands” exhibit, which highlighted Indiana’s role in the development of jazz and blues. They listened to recordings of local musicians like Billy Strayhorn and Lil Hardin Armstrong, who had roots in Evansville and Terre Haute. Inspired, they visited the Jazz Kitchen downtown that evening and later wrote a blog post titled “Why Indiana is the Unlikely Heart of American Jazz.” The post went viral in music circles and led to a partnership between the IHS and a national jazz archive.

Example 5: A Teacher Builds a Curriculum

Ms. Rivera, a third-grade teacher in Bloomington, used IHS resources to create a unit on “What Was Life Like in 1850?” She downloaded primary source images of schoolhouses, clothing, and food from the IHS digital archive. Her class built a replica of a one-room schoolhouse using cardboard and fabric. They wrote letters as if they were children in 1850 and mailed them to the IHS. The Society responded with a video from a historian, answering their questions. “They didn’t realize history was real people,” Ms. Rivera said. “Now they think like historians.”

FAQs

Is admission to the Indiana Historical Society free?

Yes, general admission to the permanent exhibits is free for all visitors. Special exhibitions, ticketed events, and guided tours may have a fee, but these are clearly marked on the website and at the entrance.

Do I need to make a reservation to visit?

Reservations are not required for general admission. However, if you plan to attend a lecture, workshop, or family program, advance registration is recommended due to limited space.

Can I bring my children?

Absolutely. The IHS offers interactive exhibits designed for children, including hands-on history stations, scavenger hunts, and storytelling hours. The “History Hunters” program is especially popular with families.

Is the building wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The Indiana Historical Society is fully ADA-compliant with elevators, accessible restrooms, and wheelchair-friendly pathways throughout all public areas.

Can I take photos inside?

Non-flash photography is permitted for personal use in most exhibit areas. Photography is not allowed in the research library or on certain artifacts labeled with “No Photography” signs.

How long should I plan to spend at the IHS?

Most visitors spend 2–4 hours exploring the exhibits. If you plan to use the research library or attend a program, allocate 4–6 hours. A full-day visit allows time to see everything at a relaxed pace.

Can I bring food or drinks?

Food and drinks are not permitted in exhibit halls or the research library. There are benches and water fountains on each floor. Nearby restaurants and cafes are within a two-block radius.

Is parking free?

Parking is not free, but the IHS offers validated parking discounts at its adjacent garage. Other public garages nearby charge standard downtown rates.

Can I access archives remotely?

Many archival materials are digitized and available online at digital.library.indianahistory.org. For non-digitized items, you can request scans or copies by submitting a research request form on the website.

Are there volunteer opportunities?

Yes. The IHS welcomes volunteers for archival assistance, event support, and docent training. Visit the “Get Involved” section of their website to apply.

Can I donate historical items to the IHS?

The IHS accepts donations of artifacts, documents, and photographs relevant to Indiana history. Contact the Collections Department in advance to discuss your item. Not all donations are accepted—staff evaluate each item for historical significance, condition, and relevance to the collection.

Conclusion

Visiting the Indiana Historical Society is more than a trip to a museum—it’s an invitation to step into the lived experiences of generations of Hoosiers. From the quiet reverence of the research library to the vibrant energy of interactive exhibits, every corner of the building tells a story worth hearing. Whether you’re uncovering your family’s past, deepening your understanding of American history, or simply seeking inspiration, the IHS offers a space where the past is not preserved behind glass—but alive, breathing, and waiting to be discovered.

By following the steps outlined in this guide—planning ahead, using the right tools, respecting the artifacts, and engaging with the community—you transform a simple visit into a meaningful encounter with history. The Indiana Historical Society doesn’t just hold the past; it invites you to become part of its continuation. So plan your visit, bring your curiosity, and let Indiana’s story unfold before you.