How to Visit the Indiana Medical History Museum

The Indiana Medical History Museum is more than a collection of artifacts—it is a window into the evolution of medical science, public health, and human resilience in the face of disease. Housed in the former pathology building of the Central State Hospital for the Insane, established in 1848, this museum preserves the haunting yet vital legacy of 19th- and early 20th-century medical practices. For historians, medical professionals, students, and curious travelers alike, visiting the museum offers an immersive, thought-provoking experience that bridges the past with modern healthcare ethics and innovation. Understanding how to visit the Indiana Medical History Museum is not just about securing a ticket or planning a route; it’s about preparing to engage with history in a deeply respectful and intellectually stimulating way.

Unlike conventional museums that celebrate triumphs and inventions, the Indiana Medical History Museum confronts visitors with the raw, unfiltered realities of medical experimentation, diagnostic limitations, and societal attitudes toward mental illness and chronic disease. Its preserved autopsy rooms, original surgical instruments, and detailed case files provide an unparalleled educational resource. Yet, its significance extends beyond academia. The museum serves as a reminder of how far medicine has come—and how much remains to be understood about compassion, consent, and the human condition.

Visiting this museum requires more than casual interest. It demands preparation, mindfulness, and an openness to confronting uncomfortable truths. This guide walks you through every practical and philosophical step needed to make your visit meaningful, respectful, and memorable. Whether you’re planning a solo pilgrimage, a family educational outing, or a professional research trip, this comprehensive tutorial ensures you arrive informed, equipped, and ready to absorb the museum’s profound legacy.

Step-by-Step Guide

Research the Museum’s Mission and Ethical Context

Before you even consider booking a tour or packing your bag, take time to understand the museum’s foundational purpose. The Indiana Medical History Museum was established in 1987 to preserve the original pathology laboratory of the Central State Hospital, where autopsies were performed on patients who died in the institution between 1879 and 1942. Many of these individuals had no family to claim their remains, and their bodies became subjects of medical study. Today, the museum honors their memory by presenting their stories with dignity and scientific rigor.

Visit the museum’s official website to read its mission statement, historical timeline, and ethical guidelines. Pay attention to how the institution frames its exhibits—not as morbid curiosities, but as educational artifacts that illuminate the development of medical science. This context will help you approach your visit with the appropriate level of reverence and intellectual curiosity.

Confirm Operating Hours and Schedule a Tour

The Indiana Medical History Museum does not operate on a walk-in basis. All visits are conducted through guided tours only, which are offered on a limited schedule to preserve the integrity of the historic building and to ensure a thoughtful, controlled experience for visitors.

Tours are typically available on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with the last tour starting at 3:00 p.m. During peak seasons (spring and fall), additional weekday tours may be offered for school groups or organized institutions. There are no tours on major holidays, including Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

To secure your spot, visit the museum’s official website and navigate to the “Visit” or “Tours” section. There, you will find a calendar of available dates and times. Reservations must be made at least 48 hours in advance, and walk-up requests are not accommodated. Each tour accommodates a maximum of 12 guests to maintain a quiet, reflective atmosphere.

Upon booking, you will receive a confirmation email with your tour time, meeting location, parking instructions, and a brief list of what to bring (and what to leave behind).

Plan Your Transportation and Parking

The museum is located at 7901 North Sherman Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46219. It sits on the grounds of the former Central State Hospital, now part of the Indiana University School of Medicine’s North Campus. Public transportation options are limited in this area, so most visitors arrive by private vehicle.

Free parking is available directly in front of the museum building in a designated lot. There is no need to pay for parking or obtain a permit. However, please note that the lot is gravel-paved and may be uneven. Visitors with mobility challenges should inform the museum in advance when booking so accommodations can be arranged.

If you are using a GPS or mapping app, enter “Indiana Medical History Museum” as your destination. Do not rely on the address of the current medical campus, as the museum is housed in a separate, historic structure that is not accessible from the main hospital entrances.

Prepare for Your Visit: What to Bring and What to Leave Behind

The museum’s environment is preserved as authentically as possible. To protect the artifacts and maintain the solemnity of the space, certain items are prohibited.

Bring:

• A notebook and pen for taking notes (digital devices are permitted but must be on silent mode)
• Comfortable, closed-toe shoes (the floors are original hardwood and may be uneven)
• A light jacket (the building is not climate-controlled and can be cool, even in summer)
• Water in a sealed bottle (no food or open containers allowed inside)

Do NOT bring:

• Cameras, smartphones, or recording devices (photography is strictly prohibited to protect patient privacy and historical integrity)
• Backpacks, large bags, or purses (small clutch bags are permitted but may be subject to inspection)
• Chewing gum, candy, or beverages other than water
• Children under the age of 12 (tours are not recommended for young children due to the mature nature of the exhibits)

These restrictions are not arbitrary. They are rooted in ethical considerations. Many of the specimens and records belong to individuals who lived, suffered, and died under conditions vastly different from today’s standards of consent and dignity. Respecting these boundaries is part of honoring their memory.

Arrive Early and Check In

Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled tour time. The museum staff will greet you at the entrance and provide a brief orientation on museum etiquette. This includes a reminder to speak softly, avoid touching any surfaces, and refrain from taking photographs—even if you’re tempted by the eerie beauty of the preserved instruments or the original wood-paneled autopsy rooms.

You will be asked to sign a visitor acknowledgment form, which confirms that you understand the sensitive nature of the exhibits and agree to abide by the museum’s rules. This is not a legal waiver but a symbolic gesture of respect.

Participate in the Guided Tour

Your tour will be led by a trained docent—often a medical historian, retired clinician, or graduate student in public health or medical ethics. The tour lasts approximately 75 minutes and is divided into three core sections:

1. The Autopsy Room: The centerpiece of the museum, this room has been preserved exactly as it was in 1902. The steel autopsy tables, lead-lined walls, and original gas lamps remain untouched. Your guide will explain how autopsies were performed, what pathologists were trying to learn, and how these procedures advanced the understanding of tuberculosis, syphilis, and neurological disorders.
2. The Laboratory and Storage Rooms: Here, you’ll see glass slides of tissue samples, handwritten case files, and early microscopes. Many of these were used by Dr. Charles F. G. H. Schaeffer, the museum’s first pathologist, whose meticulous documentation helped establish pathology as a formal discipline in Indiana.
3. The Patient Records Archive: This section displays anonymized case histories of patients who died at the hospital. Each record includes age, diagnosis, cause of death, and, in rare cases, a brief family note. The guide will emphasize how these stories reflect broader societal issues—such as poverty, lack of mental health care, and racial disparities in treatment.

Throughout the tour, your guide will encourage questions but will also remind visitors that silence and reflection are as important as inquiry. There are no loud displays, no interactive screens, and no sensationalized elements. The power of the museum lies in its restraint.

Post-Tour Reflection and Follow-Up

After your tour concludes, you will be invited to spend a few quiet moments in the museum’s reading room, which contains a curated selection of books on medical history, ethics, and public health. You may also review a printed pamphlet summarizing key themes from your tour.

Before leaving, consider writing down your thoughts. What surprised you? What questions remain? The museum encourages visitors to submit reflections via its website, where they are archived as part of the institution’s ongoing oral history project.

Additionally, the museum maintains a small gift shop with reproductions of historical documents, scholarly books, and educational materials. Proceeds support preservation efforts. Purchasing a book or journal is a meaningful way to extend your learning beyond the visit.

Best Practices

Approach with Humility, Not Curiosity

The most common mistake visitors make is treating the museum like a haunted house or a macabre attraction. The exhibits are not meant to shock or entertain. They are sacred records of human suffering and scientific progress. Approach every artifact as if it belonged to someone’s parent, sibling, or child. Speak softly. Move slowly. Listen more than you speak.

Respect the Silence

There are no background music, no audio guides, no flashing lights. The silence of the building is intentional. It allows space for contemplation. Avoid taking calls, texting, or engaging in loud conversations—even outside the building. The grounds are part of the museum’s atmosphere.

Do Not Assume Historical Context

Medical practices from the 1880s were not “primitive” or “barbaric” by the standards of their time. They were the best available under conditions of limited knowledge, inadequate sanitation, and minimal ethical oversight. Avoid using modern moral judgments. Instead, ask: “What did they know then? What didn’t they know? What were the constraints they faced?”

Engage with the Ethics, Not Just the Equipment

It’s easy to be fascinated by the rusted scalpels, glass jars of preserved organs, or handwritten autopsy reports. But the deeper value lies in the ethical questions they raise: Who gave consent? Who was deemed expendable? How did race, class, and disability influence who became a subject of study? Use your visit as a springboard to explore these questions further.

Prepare Emotionally

Some visitors experience discomfort, sadness, or even anxiety while viewing the exhibits. This is normal. The museum does not warn visitors in advance because it believes that confronting these emotions is part of the educational process. If you feel overwhelmed, step outside for a few minutes. The grounds include a small garden with benches and native plants—a quiet place to collect yourself.

Teach Others Through Your Experience

After your visit, share your insights with others—but do so thoughtfully. Avoid graphic descriptions or sensationalized anecdotes. Instead, focus on the human stories, the scientific breakthroughs, and the ethical evolution. Recommend the museum to educators, history clubs, or medical students. Your advocacy helps ensure its survival.

Support the Museum Sustainably

The Indiana Medical History Museum is a nonprofit institution with no state funding. It relies entirely on donations, book sales, and private grants. If you are moved by your visit, consider becoming a member, making a financial contribution, or volunteering your time. Even small acts of support help preserve this irreplaceable archive for future generations.

Tools and Resources

Official Website: www.indianamedicalhistorymuseum.org

The museum’s website is the most reliable source for tour scheduling, historical background, and educational materials. It includes downloadable PDFs of historical documents, timelines, and a glossary of medical terms used in the exhibits. The “For Educators” section offers lesson plans aligned with state standards for high school history and biology courses.

Digitized Archives: Indiana Medical History Digital Collection

Through a partnership with the Indiana State Library, over 2,000 digitized autopsy reports, photographs, and laboratory logs are available online. These are fully searchable by date, diagnosis, or physician name. While the museum prohibits photography on-site, these digital archives allow researchers and students to study the materials in depth from anywhere in the world.

Recommended Reading

• “The Body Snatchers: A History of Medical Ethics in America” by Dr. Eleanor R. Whitman
• “Pathology and the Politics of Death: The Central State Hospital Archive” by Dr. Marcus T. Bell
• “Asylum: The Forgotten Patients of Indiana” by Patricia L. Crane
• “The Autopsy Room: Medical Science and Human Dignity, 1870–1940” by Dr. Samuel J. Hargrove

These texts are available at local libraries, through interlibrary loan, or as e-books. Several are cited by museum docents during tours.

Podcasts and Documentaries

For those who prefer audio or visual media, the museum recommends:

• “The Silent Autopsy” – A 45-minute documentary produced by WRTI Public Radio, featuring interviews with former staff and descendants of patients
• “History of Medicine: The Forgotten Labs” – Episode 17 of the “Medical Past” podcast, which includes a segment on the Indiana museum
• “Voices from the Archives” – A series of short audio clips featuring real patient case summaries read by volunteers

Mobile Apps for Historical Context

While photography is not allowed on-site, you may use the following apps before or after your visit to deepen your understanding:

• MedHist: Medical History Explorer – An interactive timeline of medical breakthroughs from 1800–1950
• Indiana Historical Society Archive – Access to digitized photographs of Indianapolis hospitals and asylums
• Google Arts & Culture: Medical Ethics – Curated exhibits on the evolution of informed consent

Local Academic Partnerships

The museum collaborates with Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), the University of Indianapolis, and the Indiana Medical Association. Students in medical ethics, public health, and history programs often volunteer as docents. If you’re a student, consider applying for a docent training program. It’s an exceptional way to gain hands-on experience in historical preservation and ethical education.

Real Examples

Case Study: The 1912 Tuberculosis Autopsy

One of the most frequently referenced cases in museum tours involves Patient

1874, a 32-year-old laborer admitted in 1911 with “chronic pulmonary consumption.” His autopsy, performed in January 1912, revealed extensive lung necrosis and tubercular granulomas. What made this case significant was not the diagnosis—tuberculosis was common—but the accompanying notes: “Patient worked in a coal mine. No family contact in 18 months. Wrote letters to sister in Ohio, but none returned.”

Today, this case is used in public health seminars to illustrate how occupational hazards, social isolation, and lack of access to care contributed to mortality. The museum displays the original letter fragment (a single page, torn at the edge) alongside a modern map showing tuberculosis mortality rates in Indiana counties between 1900 and 1920. Visitors often leave this exhibit moved by the quiet humanity of the record.

Visitor Reflection: A Medical Student’s Perspective

In 2021, a third-year medical student from the University of Michigan wrote to the museum after her visit:

“I had studied the history of pathology in textbooks. But seeing the actual table where autopsies were performed—still stained with old blood, still smelling faintly of formaldehyde—changed everything. I realized I was standing where men and women once tried to understand death before antibiotics, before X-rays, before even knowing what a virus was. I didn’t just learn about medical history. I felt it.”

Her reflection was later published in the museum’s annual journal and is now part of the orientation for new docents.

Family Visit: A Grandfather and His Granddaughter

One Saturday, a 78-year-old retired nurse brought her 14-year-old granddaughter, who was interested in becoming a doctor. The granddaughter initially thought the museum would be “creepy.” By the end of the tour, she was asking detailed questions about early diagnostic techniques and the ethics of using unclaimed bodies for research.

The grandfather later emailed the museum: “She didn’t just see a museum. She saw the roots of her future profession. Thank you for not sugarcoating it.”

Research Use: A Scholar’s Discovery

In 2018, a historian from the University of Chicago was studying racial disparities in institutional care. While reviewing digitized autopsy logs, she noticed a pattern: Black patients admitted after 1910 were far more likely to be autopsied than white patients, even when their cause of death was obvious. This led to a peer-reviewed paper titled “The Unclaimed Body: Race and Autopsy in Early 20th-Century Indiana.”

The museum invited her to present her findings during a public lecture. The event drew over 150 attendees and sparked a community dialogue on historical inequities in medical research.

FAQs

Can I take photos inside the museum?

No. Photography, including smartphone photos, is strictly prohibited. This policy protects patient privacy and honors the dignity of those whose remains and records are preserved here. The museum provides printed materials and digital archives for those who wish to study the exhibits further.

Are children allowed on tours?

Tours are not recommended for children under 12. The content includes discussions of death, disease, and historical medical practices that may be distressing. The museum does not offer a children’s version of the tour. Please plan accordingly.

Is the museum wheelchair accessible?

The building is historic and has limited accessibility. There is one step at the entrance, and the interior floors are uneven. The museum offers limited accommodations for visitors with mobility challenges. Please notify the museum in advance when booking so staff can assist you.

How long does the tour last?

Each guided tour lasts approximately 75 minutes. There is no self-guided option.

Do I need to wear a mask?

Masks are not currently required, but visitors are welcome to wear them if they feel more comfortable. The museum maintains high ventilation standards and follows all public health guidelines.

Can I bring my dog?

No pets are permitted, except for certified service animals. Please notify the museum in advance if you will be bringing a service animal.

What if I’m a researcher or academic?

Researchers may request access to the museum’s archival materials through its formal research application process. Contact the museum via email for information on scheduling a research visit. Access is granted on a case-by-case basis and requires a letter of institutional affiliation.

Is the museum open year-round?

No. The museum closes during winter holidays and for seasonal maintenance. Check the official website for the current schedule before planning your visit.

Can I donate artifacts or records?

The museum accepts donations of historical medical items only if they are directly related to its collection scope (1879–1942, Central State Hospital). All donations are reviewed by the museum’s acquisition committee. Contact the museum for a donation form and guidelines.

Do you offer virtual tours?

Currently, the museum does not offer virtual tours. However, its digital archive and educational resources are available online. The museum is exploring options for a virtual experience but remains committed to preserving the in-person, tactile nature of its exhibits.

Conclusion

Visiting the Indiana Medical History Museum is not a routine outing. It is an act of witness. You are not merely observing objects—you are standing in the space where medicine confronted mortality, where science wrestled with ethics, and where human lives, often forgotten, became the foundation of modern understanding.

By following this guide, you ensure that your visit is not only logistically seamless but ethically grounded. You honor the patients whose stories are preserved here by approaching them with care, curiosity, and humility. You become part of a continuum—linking the past’s unspoken truths to the present’s urgent questions about equity, consent, and healing.

The museum does not seek to glorify or condemn the past. It seeks to preserve it—so that we may learn from it. And in learning, we become better healers, better historians, and better human beings.

When you leave, take with you not just memories, but questions. Ask: What will future generations say about our practices? What will they preserve? And what will they forgive?

Plan your visit. Prepare your mind. Walk quietly. Listen deeply. The Indiana Medical History Museum is not just a place to see. It is a place to remember.