Our Indiana State Museum
DNR director Kyle Hupfer talks with Dr. M. Lee Goff
at the installation of the CSI exhibit.
Just west of downtown Indianapolis is one of our state’s great repositories of natural and cultural history, the Indiana State Museum. This state-of-the-art facility boasts 60,000 square feet of fixed gallery space and 12,000 square feet of changing exhibit space. Constructed almost four years ago with Indiana materials including limestone, sandstone, steel, brick and glass, the museum’s distinct architecture is a prelude to what’s inside.
Most people don’t realize that this facility is a part of the DNR. Under its own division, “State Museum and Historic Sites,” the museum operates differently from other DNR divisions; it has a public-private partnership with the State Museum Foundation, which focuses on fundraising and selling sponsorships to supplement the museum’s operating budget from the state. The state provides level funding to the State Museum, which means that the museum gets the same amount of state money every year. Funds generated by the foundation enhance visitor experiences and supplement the museum’s collections.
Inside you’ll find a large sampling of the 400,000 artifacts in the museum’s collection. Traveling exhibits are frequently on display as well. The subject matter of the core exhibits (those that don’t change) is focused on Indiana’s natural and cultural history; the traveling exhibits are often more general. Right now, an exhibit titled “CSI: Crime Scene Insects” is on display. CSI explores how insects are used to provide evidence in solving crimes. This exhibit includes case studies, interactive displays and special programs. Read more about it on page 44 of Outdoor Indiana magazine.
Core exhibits begin on the ground floor with a short movie that makes locals proud to be Hoosiers and out-of-staters wish they were. From there, the displays start at the very beginning with the “Birth of the Earth.” A couple more exhibits that explore the ancient life that once roamed our state follow. These areas are populated by fossils and life-size models of animals, including a 12-foot-tall mastodon. People first make a distinct showing in “The Native Americans” exhibit. From there, the displays delve deeply into our culture.
Anyone who likes old, interesting things ranging from tools used to build log cabins to a life-size display of a rock quarry operation will find something of interest. But that description doesn’t really do the depth and breadth of the exhibits justice. Items representing everything from technological innovation to pop culture significance are there.
Continuing past modern days and into the future is the “Tomorrow’s Indiana” exhibit, which examines how the choices we make today may shape our future. Last in the line of core exhibits, this one has an intentionally high-tech feel unlike the rest of the museum. But the exhibits don’t end there, the grounds outside the museum are full of things to look at and interact with.
Even though it’s in the city, the State Museum’s surroundings are surprisingly natural. Winding around the side of the museum is a walkway along which each of our 92 counties is represented with a unique symbol. Whether entering or exiting, finding your home county is likely to lead you on a bit of walk.
The museum’s two restaurants are inside the building but accessible from the outside. Both the Canal Café and L.S. Ayres Tea Room provide a nice meal for museum attendees or people just looking for an off-the-beaten-path place to get a snack.
The next time you’re in the city looking for something to do, keep the Indiana State Museum in mind. It’s an interesting, cultural and educational experience the whole family will enjoy.
