Museums Near Me in Merom
WonderLab Museum of Science, Health and Technology
308 West Fourth Street, Bloomington, IN
Mission:
WonderLab provides opportunities for people of all ages, especially children, to experience the wonder and excitement of science through hands-on exhibits and programs that stimulate curiosity, encourage exploration, foster lifelong learning and explore connections to the arts and everyday life.
French Lick Scenic Railway Museum
8594 West State Road 56, French Lick, IN
History:
French Lick Scenic Railway Museum is a tourist railway and museum located in French Lick, Indiana. The Museum was founded in 1961 in the town of Westport, Indiana where the railroad operated a tourist excursion, utilizing one small locomotive, three passenger cars, and about twenty volunteers. Ridership was estimated at about 500 passengers in 1962. The museum and railway remained in Westport until a move was necessitated in 1971. The organization relocated to Greensburg, Indiana where it operated until 1976 when it again, it changed locations. The Museum was relocated to French Lick in 1978 after an agreement with the Southern Railway Company. They deeded the Museum a total of sixteen miles of track stretching from West Baden, Indiana, approximately one mile north of French
Lick, to a small village named Dubois, to the south. The Indiana Railway Museum currently operates passenger trains over ten miles of this track from French Lick to Cuzco. In 2011, the railroadhad a ridership of over 40,000 passengers
The French Lick Scenic Railway is the ultimate train enthusiast destination, the museum boasts some of the most treasured railway cars and museum quality industry heirlooms, in the United States.
Spend a day with us and ride on one of our historic trains through the beautiful Hoosier National Forest and through the Burton Tunnel. Visit the Museum store and purchase a piece of history to take home from our intricately stocked gift shop that will delight train enthusiasts of all ages.
Throughout the year, the Museum hosts special events like our famous Wild West Hold-Up's and Murder Under the Big Top mystery dinner show. For the holiday season, The Polar Express is a must attend event! Ride on The Polar Express Train while being entertained with song and dance as you are whisked away to the North Pole where you can meet Santa Claus himself. A truly unique and memorable event for the whole family!
Indiana State Museum
650 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN
Mission:
The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites collect, preserve, interpret and present the material record of Indiana’s art, science and culture while bringing quality museum offerings from around the world to Indiana to encourage people to discover the world and Indiana’s role in it – as it was, as it is and as it can be.
We accomplish our mission by embracing these values:
Learning – Inspiring our audience to acquire knowledge by offering exciting opportunities that are provocative, enjoyable and beneficial.
Adventure – An active and emotional experience that is shared with others and involves some element of risk or surprise. A novel or exciting event that is engaging and memorable.
Stewardship – actively collecting and preserving knowledge, artifacts, objects and significant sites held in the public trust.
Excellence – achieving a reputation for surpassing quality in exhibits, research and education, and continuing to rise above expectations.
Responsiveness – Serving as a forum for significant issues facing our society while being flexible and timely in reacting to our audience's needs.
Eiteljorg Museum
500 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN
About Us :
The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western art was founded by Indianapolis businessman and philanthropist Harrison Eiteljorg. It’s mission—to inspire an appreciation and understanding of the art, history and cultures of the American West and the indigenous peoples of North America. The museum executes this charge in exciting and often surprising ways.The Eiteljorg collects and preserves high-quality Western art and Native American art and cultural objects. Its collection includes artists such as T.C. Cannon, N. C. Wyeth, Andy Warhol, Georgia O’Keeffe, Allan Houser, Frederic Remington, Charles Russell and Kay WalkingStick. The institution’s contemporary Native art collection has been ranked among the world’s best.
Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art
500 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN
Our Story
The Eiteljorg is much more than a traditional art museum with pretty pictures and impressive sculptures
The Eiteljorg tells the stories of the peoples of North America in all their diversity and complexity. It’s a place for historical context, artistic expression, new ideas and individual perspectives. Here, visitors immerse themselves in the diverse cultures of the West and Native America, and sharing these amazing American stories is what we do at the Eiteljorg.
A Little Bit About The Eiteljorg
The Eiteljorg has been telling amazing stories for three decades.
How the Eiteljorg was Founded: Indianapolis businessman and philanthropist Harrison Eiteljorg and other civic leaders founded the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art. From the museum’s opening in 1989, its mission has been to inspire an appreciation and understanding of the art, history, and cultures of the American West and the Indigenous peoples of North America. The museum carries out this focus in exciting and often surprising ways.
The Art: The Eiteljorg collects, conserves and exhibits outstanding Western art and Native American art and cultural objects. The museum’s collection includes artists such as T.C. Cannon, N. C. Wyeth, Andy Warhol, Georgia O’Keeffe, Allan Houser, Frederic Remington, Charles Russell and Kay WalkingStick. The institution’s contemporary Native American art collection has been ranked among the best in the world.
What Sets Us Apart: The Eiteljorg Museum is the only museum of its kind in the Midwest, and one of only two museums east of the Mississippi that explore both Native America and the American West. Renowned programs such as the Indian Market and Festival, Eiteljorg Contemporary Art Fellowship and the Quest for the West® Art Show and Sale have helped the museum cultivate a national reputation as a premiere cultural institution.
Indianapolis Museum Of Art
4000 Michigan Road, Indianapolis, IN
As the Indianapolis Museum of Art has grown to become an internationally renowned museum, we now turn our attention toward increasing our emphasis on combining art with nature.
This combination of art and nature was always part of the original vision—and now we see a vision for the next fifty years.
The galleries are surrounded by gardens, water features, over a hundred acres of woodland filled with surprise and beauty. The campus itself is ideal for performances, afternoon walks, kite-flying, cloud-gazing, memory-making, new-idea-having. There’s a mansion to stage unforgettable events, restaurants for relaxing, bars for microbrews and friendships.
Newfields is a setting where it’s easy to make connections of all sorts. Like no place else in Indianapolis.
Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site
1230 North Delaware Street, Indianapolis, IN
Mission:
The mission of the President Benjamin Harrison Foundation is to increase public understanding of, appreciation for, and participation in the American system of self government through the life stories of an American President.
The Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to maintaining and preserving the Site as a museum and memorial to the only U.S. President elected from the State of Indiana. Open to the public as an educational and historical service, the Site seeks to promote patriotism and citizenship through appropriate educational activities and by artfully exhibiting the Victorian time period as Harrison and his family might have experienced it. We are proud to be designated a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
History:
Benjamin and Caroline Harrison built the home in 1874-1875. Harrison lived in the home until he died in 1901, except for his U.S. Senate and presidential years. His family continued to live in the home until 1913. His second wife, Mary Lord Harrison, made the home a rental property until 1937, when she sold it to the Jordan Conservatory of Music with the understanding the the home and its artifacts would be forever preserved. The school used the home as a dormitory while maintaining certain rooms as presidential museum space. In 1966, a not-for-profit operating foundation was established to run home as a historic site open to the public. From the 1950s until 1974, tours were by appointment only. After a 1974 renovation, the entire home was opened for regular daily tours.
In 2001, we requested and received funding for an extensive Carriage House reconstruction project and the installation of an elevator and elevette that for the first time allowed full museum access to all visitors, including those with disabilities. In 2003, the museum earned accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums. In 2006, the museum was awarded a "Save America's Treasures" matching grant from the National Park Service for site recovery and repair. In 2007, the museum acquired (by "saving" from public auction) a marvelous collection of more than 800 items of rich Harrison family culture.
Historic Prophetstown Museum
3534 Prophetstown Rd, Battle Ground, IN
Conner Prairie Interactive History Park
13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN
Conner Prairie Interactive History park invites families of today to engage, explore and discover what it was like to live and play in Indiana’s past. We bring history to life by recreating settings and time periods and by engaging visitors through first-person costumed interpreters and hands-on experiences.
We have five themed historic areas on 200 beautiful, wooded acres including, 1863 Civil ...War Journey: Raid on Indiana, Lenape Indian Camp, and a 19th-century settlement called 1836 Prairetown. In 1859 Balloon Voyage guests can fly 350 feet above the prairie in a tethered helium balloon. Visitors can explore the 1823 William Conner Homestead – the first brick home in Hamilton County. Guests can also mingle with our rare and historic breeds in our Animal Encounters Barn and trek through our Nature Walk. Indoors, families can get creative and experiment in Create.Connect, Discovery Station and Craft Corner. Every visit is a unique adventure that provides an authentic look into the history that shapes us today.
Our goal is to educate families with fun and interactive experiences that expose them to history, nature, science and the arts.
Mission Statement: To inspire curiosity and foster learning about Indiana's past by providing engaging, individualized and unique experiences.
International Circus Hall of Fame
3076 East Circus Lane, Peru, IN
Mission Statement:
The Circus Hall of Fame inspires an understanding of the circus through exhibits, publications, and outreach.
We aim to preserve the National Historic structures, artifacts and documents that tell the story of the circus as a performing art and a culture institution in Indiana and the United States.
About Us:
The International Circus Hall of Fame is a Museum filled with circus artifacts, costumes, circus posters, Heralds, Photographs and films, route cards and route books and numerous old circus wagons. All of this is found inside five of the original circus winter quarters buildings built by the American Circus Corporation in 1922. They are all designated as National Historic Landmarks.
Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum
507 Mulberry Street, North Judson, IN
The Railroad History of North Judson
The first railroad into town was a line constructed from Logansport to Valparaiso, Indiana in the years 1858 through 1861. This railroad was known as the Chicago and Cincinnati Railroad Company. In 1865 the Chicago & Cincinnati was merged with the Chicago & Great Eastern Railway Company. The town was originally called Brantwood, then changed to North Judson, after Judson, one of the promoters of the Chicago & Great Eastern Railway Company. Years later this railroad became part of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company (PRR).
The second railroad into town was the Indiana, Illinois and Iowa Railroad, also known as the 3I route. It was built from Streator, Illinois to North Judson in 1881, and onto South Bend, Indiana in 1894, The 3I would later become part of the New York Central Railroad.
The third railroad into town was the Chicago and Atlantic Railroad in the years 1881 through 1883. This railroad later became known as the Erie Railroad Company. In 1902 the Cincinnati, Richmond and Muncie Railroad became the fourth railroad into town. This railroad would later become part of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Company (C&O).
Whitewater Valley Railroad
455 Market Street, Connersville, IN
The Whitewater Valley Railroad is a 501c3 non profit operating railroad museum dedicated to the preservation of a historic branch line railroad, to the restoration of railroad equipment, and to the conduct of educational railroad programs.
The Studebaker National Museum
201 S. Chapin Street, South Bend, IN
Studebaker National Museum operates as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation that continually strives to provide educational and public programming to the Michiana community and all its visitors
Mission Statement
The Mission of the Studebaker National Museum is to honor an perpetuate the legacy of the rich industrial heritage of the South Bend area, through the display, interpretation, conservation and preservation of Studebaker vehicles, archives and other objects to enrich present and future generations. The museum is intended to be a fitting memorial to men and women of our community whose vision, creativity, and energy built the products that are today our industrial manufacturing heritage.
Vision Statement
To keep the flame of the Studebaker tradition alive and burning for generations to come.
Indiana Basketball Hall Of Fame
One Hall Of Fame Court, New Castle, IN
The Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in New Castle celebrates the proud heritage of basketball in our state from its origins in the 1890s to the current season.A visit to our 14,000 square foot museum features not only the men, women, and teams that have brought recognition to themselves, their communities and schools, but a number of interactive exhibits that will bring you closer to the action of Indiana high school basketball!
Our courtyard contains more than 6,000 engraved bricks with the names of the teams, coaches, players, and others who have been a part of “Indiana’s Game.” The bricks are arranged in the shape of the state of Indiana. Also take note of the flags representing teams who have had recent postseason success.
Begin your tour with an introductory film in the Marsh Theater and find photos and memorabilia of all previous state championship teams as you wind down our ramp, designed to replicate those at historic Butler “Hinkle” Fieldhouse.
On the main exhibition floor you will find special sections dedicated to John Wooden, Oscar Robertson, Larry Bird, and the 1954 Milan Indians as well as the jerseys, trophies, photos, and memorabilia of other Hoosier legends. Interactive displays allow you to take the Game Winning Shot, display your Indiana basketball knowledge on our trivia game, become a sportscaster on “You Make the Call”, or attempt to block the shot of Oscar Robertson and Stephanie White.
No trip is complete without a visit to the enshrinement hall, where each of our inductees are permanently honored, you can visit the John Jordan Library to research basketball history on over 1,000 Indiana high schools, and videos including archived game films are available to watch upon request.Our gift shop is stocked with items to take as a memento of your visit or to share with those who couldn’t visit with you.
Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum
1600 South Wayne Street, Auburn, IN
The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum, a National Historic Landmark, has welcomed nearly two million visitors from all 50 states and from over 40 countries since the museum opened its doors at Noon on Saturday, July 6, 1974. It inhabits the former Auburn Automobile Company’s national headquarters building, a place where history was made over 75 years ago! Many of the Auburn and Cord automobiles you see driving around Auburn each Labor Day weekend were designed and developed in this very building.
Vision:
The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum’s vision is to preserve Auburns, Cords, Duesenbergs, the Auburn Automobile Company headquarters building and other fine automobiles and artifacts relevant to documenting their historical significance for centuries to come.
Mission:
The mission of the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum is to preserve, interpret and create passion for Auburn, Cord and Duesenberg automobiles and their heritage of innovation, influence, design and competition while meeting or exceeding the highest museum standards.
International Monster Truck Museum and Hall of Fame
541 Wst Main Street,, Butler, IN
Mission Statement:
The International Monster Truck Museum and Hall of Fame’s mission is to collect and archive the history of the monster truck sport and related aspects of the high performance aftermarket, focusing upon capturing the history from the surviving pioneers and legends. Through the accumulation of vehicles, oral histories, videos and still images, the International Monster Truck Museum and Hall of Fame will provide a documented history and an entertaining and educational retrospective display about the birth and growth of a purely North American year round motorsport that is geared toward the entire family and the industry it launched for future generations.
Organization Goal:
Goal for the International Monster Truck Museum is to document and display the history of the monster truck sport through the use of first person oral histories, vehicles and memorabilia given by the surviving legends, pioneers and fans. These pioneers and archives will be used throughout the course of the displays to illustrate the passion for the sport and the industry it has built.
The displays will encompass the beginnings of the monster truck. In addition to the recollections of the legends and pioneers, films and still photos from racers, professionals, vehicle displays, and average fans will be used to illustrate and expand the viewer’s interest. In addition to the racers and the major industry figures, the displays will address the contributions of the automobile manufacturers, the car clubs, track owners, editors, writers, photographers, movie makers, sanctioning body personnel and other individuals who contributed to the growth of the sport and the industry it spawned.
The International Monster Truck Museum & Hall of Fame was established in 2010 with the mission of collecting and archiving the history of the monster truck sport and related aspects of the high performance aftermarket, focusing upon capturing history from the surviving pioneers and legends. Each year, the International Monster Truck Museum will honor the most accomplished and significant people in the history of monster trucks with induction into its Hall of Fame.
2011 Hall of Fame Inductees: Bob Chandler, Jeff Dane, Dan Degrasso, Jack Willman, Everett Jasmer, Fred Shafer
2012 Hall of Fame Inductees: Jim Kramer, Mike Welch, George Carpenter, Pablo Huffaker, Dennis Anderson
2013 Hall of Fame Inductees: Allen Pezo, Dan Patrick, Scott Stephens, Gary Porter, Army Armstrong
2014 Hall of Fame Inductees: Diehl Wilson, Jon Breen, Michael Vaters, Andy Brass, Kirk Dabney
2015 Hall of Fame Inductees: Gene Patterson, Alan Tura, Billy Joe Miles, David Morris
2016 Hall of Fame Inductees: Bob George, Terry Woodcock, Charlie Pauken, Jerry Richmond
2017 Hall of Fame Inductees: Seth Doulton, Mike Gallaway, Jim Ries, Jeff Bainter, Gary Cook
2018 Hall of Fame Inductees: Mike Nickell, Marty Garza, Gary Bauer and Jack Koberna
2019 Hall of Fame Inductees: Dan Runte, Jesse Birgy, Cliff Starbird and Aaron Polburn
2020 Hall of Fame Inductees: Scott Hess, Dave Marquart, Kevin Dabney and Mark Bendler
2021 Hall of Fame Inductees: Tim Hall, Mark Hall, John Moore, Bobby Holman
Through the accumulation of vehicles, oral histories, videos and still images, the International Monster Truck Museum & Hall of Fame will provide a documented history and an entertaining and educational retrospective display about the birth and growth of a purely North American year round motor sport that is geared toward the entire family and the industry it launched for future generations.
All of the latest news and updates can be followed on the organization’s Facebook at www.Facebook.com/MonsterMuseum.
The John Dillinger Museum
1 Courthouse Square, Crown Point, IN
John Dillinger Museum is the interactive Museum illustrates the life and times of John Dillinger and other gangsters during the 1930’s depression era and shows advancements made in crime fighting technology during the first 30 years of the 20th century.The museum was renovated and developed into an educational and historic experience and uses John Dillinger and other era criminals as examples of what happens to people who engage in criminal activity.
Guests are invited to learn about the birth of the FBI as they chase John Dillinger and his gang through the Midwest. The museum includes interactive displays, life-size wax figures and educational and historical displays.Included are the notable “death trousers” (the pants Dillinger was wearing when he was shot outside of the BiographTheater in Chicago), the infamous wooden gun, Dillinger’s lucky rabbit's foot and more.When the museum opened in 1999, the Lake County Convention and Visitors Bureau who owns the museum was sensitive to community members and law enforcement officials who were concerned that such an attraction would glorify crime.
The Lake County CVB responded to concerns and involved local law enforcement officials that included the Lake County’s Sheriff, local police chiefs, representatives from the Indiana State Police and the president of Indiana’s Fraternal Order of Police. The museum artifacts were purchased from the Joe Pinkston’s estate in 1997. Joe Pinkston, a nationally recognized Dillinger Historian, owned and operated "The John Dillinger Museum" in Nashville, Indiana for nearly 20 years.After purchase, the Lake County CVB hired Icon Exhibits of Fort Wayne, Indiana to renovate and restore the artifacts and develop the museum into an interactive learning experience. It is now open in the award-winning Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond, Indiana.