THINGS EVERY HISTORY BUFF SHOULD DO IN INDY

You value the story behind a destination - the people and events that made things how they are today. You’ve got a talent for research with an encyclopedic knowledge of dates, facts, and important events.

You’re likely to be found exploring museums, archives, and libraries to satisfy your begging curiosity. You’re a history buff, who looks at the past as a mystery waiting to be uncovered.

Conner Prairie
A Smithsonian-affiliate making history come alive

Span 200 years of American history at Conner Prairie, including real stories of Indians and fur traders, pioneer town life and Civil War skirmishes
Visit where it all got started, the red brick home of fur trapper, War of 1812 veteran, and statesman, William Conner
Live through the nightmarish raid of Civil War Confederate soldiers as they attacked Dupont, a southern Indiana town

Indiana Historical Society
Showcasing History in New Ways

Explore the Camp Atterbury “You Are There” experience that focuses on the POWs who built a chapel on the grounds of Atterbury for worship
After Camp Atterbury, travel to 1877 to Colonel Eli Lilly's original laboratory on Pearl Street in Indianapolis
Discover Destination Indiana and its thousands of historic photos

Indianapolis City Market
Fresh Foods and Beers in Historic Marketplace

First opened in 1886, the Indianapolis City Market is the city’s original foodie’s haven
Today, the stand holders serve up a world of dishes, from Middle Eastern to Greek, Mexican, and Indian, along with favorite American fare
Don’t miss a tour of the Market’s historic (and a bit creepy) Romanesque underground catacombs

Indiana State Museum
The Hoosier Story from the Beginning of Time to Today

Experience the breadth of American history and culture through the unique lens of the Hoosier state
Learn about Abraham Lincoln’s boyhood in Indiana and see a rare artifact, his rough-hewn wood mallet, dated and initialed A.L. 1829
Round out your day by exploring other great attractions in White River State Park

Monuments & Memorials
Indy has More Memorials than any City Except Washington DC

Aside from Washington, D.C., Indy is home to more monuments and memorials than any other city in the U.S., and that’s because the designer protégé (Ralston) of the architect who platted Washington, D.C. (L’Enfant) came to Indianapolis to plat the Circle City.

MONUMENTS & MEMORIALS GUIDE

Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site
Inside the Life and Times of a U.S. President

Harrison was our 23^rd president and his home tells of his life in Indy
The Italianate mansion features Victorian furnishings and welcomes groups for tours and interactive Civil War Dinners
Hear back stories about Harrison, both funny and poignant, that bring appreciation to a president who is not among our country's most famous

Madame Walker Theatre Center
The Legacy of America’s First Self-Made Female Millionaire

Madam CJ Walker’s story is inspiring, an African-American woman who fought the odds to develop a successful business
Take a building tour and also discover the history of Indiana Avenue, the center of the Black experience in Indy
Check out Jazz on the Avenue concerts and other programs

Crown Hill Cemetery
The Nation’s Third Largest Non-Governmental Cemetery

The historical figures of Indiana are buried here, from presidents to local leaders and the infamous
Tours will help you find the burial sites of President Harrison, James Whitcomb Riley and even notorious John Dillinger
The vast acreage is a natural haven for wildlife, birds, and wildflowers, along with a vantage point giving a spectacular view of downtown Indy

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
History Disguised as Fun

The world’s largest children’s museum teaches history in sneaky ways
Turn your watch back 65 million years and be on the lookout for tyrannosaurs, triceratops, and Maiasauras roaming at Dinosphere
Make friends with Egyptian mummies, Chinese warriors, and swashbuckling pirates at the Treasures of the Earth exhibition

Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library
Learn About the Man Behind the Books

See Vonnegut’s drawings and doodles (including Kilgore Trout), his reading glasses, Purple Heart, and more
Browse first editions of every Vonnegut novel, several signed editions, films based on his work, and nearly 300 magazines featuring reviews, short stories, and political commentary
Wander over to Mass Ave and find the giant Vonnegut mural on the side of a building

Oldfields-Lilly House & Gardens
Historic country estate home

Journey back to the 1930s for a glimpse of country estate living in the luxurious, elegant home of J.K. Lilly, Jr. and his family
Walk through the French Chateau style mansion’s 22 rooms and its period furnishings
Free guided walks through IMA's gardens are offered April through September on Saturdays and Sundays at 1 pm

Black Literature and Culture
Explore the rich heritage of African-American Hoosiers

Grand opening event on October 21 includes eynote address and book signing by esteemed journalist and political commentator, Roland Martin
Interactive displays, books, and images highlighting African American heroes who changed the world
Free and open to the public at the Indianapolis Central Library

Cassie's Guide to Historic Indy
President of Prized Indy Landmark

Between running one of Indy’s most popular historic venues, the Athenaeum, and leading Indy’s largest yoga event on the steps of our beloved Soldiers and Sailors Monument, Cassie Stockamp knows a thing or two about historic attractions in Indy. Follow along as Cassie shares her favorite spots in Indy.

INDY LIKE A LOCAL: CASSIE STOCKAMP

Omni Severin Hotel
A Century of Service and Style

It’s a landmark property first opened in 1913 that is complete with all the amenities and service expected in a top hotel today
The hotel is Indy's longest-standing Four Diamond property
Located along lively Illinois and Georgia Streets, the hub of downtown’s historic Wholesale District

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