You Are There 1939: Healing Bodies, Changing Minds
In the latest of our You Are There series, join African-American physician Dr. Harvey Middleton on June 24, 1939, in his office at 2101 Boulevard Place for an open house.
> moreCivil War from Fort Sumter to Emancipation
See items from the beginning of the war to the Emancipation Proclamation through April 13 at the History Center.
> moreA Billy the Kid Mystery Solved
A "new" Billy the Kid letter is discovered in the IHS collections.
> moreHot Off the IHS Press
New release The People's Choice: Congressman Jim Jontz of Indiana examines a remarkable long-shot political career and lifetime involvement in local, state and national environmental issues. Read an interview with author Ray Boomhower.
> moreA Home in Our Keeping
Historic Twin Oaks serves as IHS's hospitality center.
> moreA Life in Public History: A Conversation with John Herbst
John talks to the Indiana Magazine of History in the June 2011 issue.
> moreFair Culture: Images of Indiana Fairs
Photographer Harold Lee Miller presents a beautiful and quirky glimpse of summer in Indiana.
> moreCivil War Home Front Collections Now Online
A digital Civil War Home Front collection of more than 1,200 documents provides insight to the feelings of both Indiana soldiers and their loved ones as they dealt with both the major events of the Civil War and more mundane activities such as ...
> moreMeet Marianne Doyle
Longtime member Marianne Doyle is the Boone County historian and serves on the IHS Public Programs and Outreach Committee
> moreExtensive Hoosier Family Collection Lands at IHS
Bartholomew County has seen eight generations of the Irwin, Sweeney and Miller families – families who trace their roots in this country to before the American Revolution and in Indiana to before it was a state.
> moreJoin Us on the Civil War Trail
We're taking a trip Sept. 27 through 30 to explore Tennessee sites!
> moreHarrison Letter Added to Extensive IHS Collection
A rare Sept. 23, 1812, letter signed by “Willm. Henry Harrison” as Commander of the Army of the Northwest is our newest find.
> moreA Glimpse of Carthage on Glass
Last summer, two Collections staff members drove to northern Indiana to retrieve some real treasures.
> moreA Peek into the Big Four Shops of Beech Grove
Black-and-white photographs capture the lives of railroad employees in 1919 and 1923.
> moreCanal Collection Returns to Indiana
An East Coast dealer acquired the White Water Valley Canal Co. papers when they went up for auction in Ohio last year.
> moreRiley's Image Comes Home
Hoosier poet James Whitcomb Riley is best known for his characters such as Little Orphant Annie and for writing in a country dialect. Karen Celestino-Horseman of Indianapolis donated a rare collection of James Whitcomb Riley images to IHS last year. ...
> moreWhat Is a Hoosier?
It’s safe to conclude the Hoosher and Hoosier nickname adopted by Indiana residents and for them by their nearby neighbors was derived from the dialect term (probably traceable from England) not uncommon among southern immigrants to Indiana and the ...
> morePostcards Send Glimpse of Past
A collection of 41 postcards from 1909 to 1953 joins the approximately 15,000 postcards in the IHS collection.
> moreOur 180th Year
Charged as a steward of the past, our 180th year brings a new way to live history.
> moreThe Native Americans
Native American ancestors inhabited the land of Indiana from around 9500 B.C.
> moreGlamour in the Collection
Retired news anchor Howard Caldwell credits his grandmother and parents for instilling in him a love of movies and the theater, but the English Theatre holds a special place in his heart. “It was Broadway in Indianapolis,” he says.
> moreOne-of-a-Kind WWII Collection
In early 1945, Master Sgt. Robert J. (Bob) Kennedy was in an area south of Manila awaiting reassignment after his unit was nearly wiped out in the retaking of Philippines.
> moreLew Wallace Letters Go West
The 96,000-square-foot New Mexico History Museum opened its doors for the very first time Memorial Day Weekend, and while taking a comprehensive look at the Western state’s past, it includes some Hoosier history as well.
> moreDid You Know Uneeda Biscuit?
Included in the Indiana Historical Society’s collection is a cache of historical advertising material.
> moreFrom Our Blog
- Governor Morton: Much Heralded But Not Elected – Feb. 11, 2013
- Oliver P. Morton was not elected to be governor in 1860, but became governor after his predecessor served only two days as the 13th governor of Indiana.
- How Small Is Too Small? – Feb. 8, 2013
- Finding a balance in museum outreach.
- Museum Heroes – Feb. 8, 2013
- Protecting museum treasures
- Mocking up an Exhibit – Feb. 7, 2013
- Before we print on the final material, paper copies help our team see a future exhibit to scale.
What's Happening
- Anything Goes: Love Songs From the Heartland – Feb. 14
- Make this Valentine's Day one to remember!
- Maynard Moose Tales – Feb. 15
- Storytelling Arts of Indiana
- IndyTalks: Love Your Heart – Feb. 16
- Free admission day!
- Mrs. Satan for President – Feb. 16
- Storytelling Arts of Indiana
- Behind the Indiana Experience: Cole Porter Room – Feb. 27
Basile History Market

Pick up that perfect something at the Basile History Market, featuring Indiana art, jewelry, literature, music and more.

