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Indiana War Memorial

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ABOUT THE MEMORIAL AND MUSEUM

The Indiana War Memorial— unequivocally the crown jewel of the War Memorial Plaza National Historic District—was built to honor Hoosier veterans of World War I.

Today, through the Indiana War Museum, it also conveys the contributions and sacrifices of Hoosier service men and women from the Revolutionary War through recent peacekeeping operations and conflicts.

Museum hours & location
FEATURED ARTIFACTS

Special features and exhibits in the three-floor museum include:

Museum

Museum portraying Indiana’s military history in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, the Gulf War, the War on Terror in Afghanistan and Iraq, and various peacekeeping operations around the world

Shrine Room

A symbolic and solemn space designed with materials from all the Allied nations of WWI to commemorate the “war to end all wars,” the Shrine Room was dedicated on Armistice Day in 1933. The Garrison Flag, the largest flag at an outpost or military base, hangs in the Shrine Room.

Congressional Gold Medal

On July 30, 2020, the United States Congress awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, its highest civilian honor, to the Final Crew of the USS Indianapolis CA 35 during a ceremony at the Indiana War Memorial. The Congressional Gold Medal is on display at the Indiana War Memorial Museum in the USS Indianapolis Exhibition.

USS Indianapolis CA35 Radio Room

Gives a glimpse of the history of U.S. Navy radio equipment.

The Eli Lilly Civil War Exhibition

Now open at the Indiana War Memorial Museum. The exhibition has a number of new items on display that have never before been on display to the public.

Battle Flag Collection

There are over 400 battle flags in the IWM collection, from the Mexican War to the Persian Gulf War, and including more than 300 Civil War flags. They are rotated for display on a regular basis.

Exhibits

Thousands of weapons, uniforms, medals, artillery, vehicles, models, military equipment, and other artifacts. A few highlights include:

  • Battle control center of the fast attack nuclear submarine USS Indianapolis
  • AH-1 Cobra Attack Helicopter, a Vietnam War era helicopter
  • Desert Storm Humvee

The Exterior

The Indiana War Memorial is 210 feet tall. The exterior of the Indiana War Memorial is also richly adorned with historical significance. It was designed to closely resemble the appearance of the original Mausoleum, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Each side of the building has six columns, with six sculpted figures representing courage, memory, peace, victory, liberty and patriotism. The Pro Patria statue on the south steps of the memorial aptly communicates all that the memorial stands for with its Latin meaning, “For country.”

STORIES OF SERVICE

Indiana Veterans

Exhibit BackgrounderStories of Service
January 31, 2023

Stories of Service: Major Charity Adams

Early Life  Charity Adams was born on December 5, 1918 in Kittrell, North Carolina. She grew up in Columbia, South Carolina until moving to Ohio to continue her education at…
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General InformationStories of Service
February 7, 2022

Stories of Service: The Life of Lucy Higgs Nichols

Lucy Higgs Nichols was an African American who escaped slavery and became a nurse for a regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Read on to learn…
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Artifacts and AttractionsGeneral InformationPress ReleasesStories of Service
August 24, 2021

20th Anniversary of 9/11: A Reflection on our Nation’s Resolve and Resiliency

20th Anniversary of 9/11: A Reflection on our Nation’s Resolve and Resiliency Most of us vividly remember the exact moment, nearly 20 years ago, when we learned about the terrorist…
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VIRTUAL TOUR

Take a Virtual Tour

Explore the monuments, museums and memorials of the Indiana War Memorial Plaza Historic District—virtually.

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SELF-GUIDED TOUR

Download PocketSights

Download the PocketSights mobile app to take a self-guided tour of the IWMC Properties on your GPS-enabled mobile device. Learn more

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#IndianaWarMemorials

On this day, in 1945, Ernie Pyle died in the Pacific near the end of World War II.

Ernie Pyle was born in Dana, Indiana and was a Pulitzer Prize winning American journalist and war correspondent. He left a legacy of war stories about ordinary American soldiers who fought during WWII.

Learn more about Ernie Pyle at the Indiana War Memorials Museum; open Wednesday through Sunday from 9am to 5pm Admission is free.

*** The Shrine Room is closed for construction and is slated to reopen mid to late-September, 2025.

#Indianamilitaryhistory #ErniePyle #IndianaWarMemorials

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On this day, in 1945, Ernie Pyle died in the Pacific near the end of World War II. Ernie Pyle was born in Dana, Indiana and was a Pulitzer Prize winning American journalist and war correspondent. He left a legacy of war stories about ordinary American soldiers who fought during WWII. Learn more about Ernie Pyle at the Indiana War Memorials Museum; open Wednesday through Sunday from 9am to 5pm Admission is free. *** The Shrine Room is closed for construction and is slated to reopen mid to late-September, 2025. #Indianamilitaryhistory #ErniePyle #IndianaWarMemorials

The Gold Mile is an experience for IU Health 500 Festival Mini-Marathon participants and it pays tribute to fallen service members and their surviving families (Gold Star Families). You are invited to volunteer to pay special tribute to our nation’s fallen heroes on May 3, 2025. Located at mile 6 on the backstretch of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, YOU can encourage participants holding American flags, and display photos and banners to honor the fallen.

You’re invited to be part of this special tribute. If interested, complete the following volunteer form at:
https://500festival.wufoo.com/forms/pzq32ki0o1c9uy/

To make a donation to the 500 Festival go to:
https://500festivalfoundation.com/foundation/foundation/campaign/

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The Gold Mile is an experience for IU Health 500 Festival Mini-Marathon participants and it pays tribute to fallen service members and their surviving families (Gold Star Families). You are invited to volunteer to pay special tribute to our nation’s fallen heroes on May 3, 2025. Located at mile 6 on the backstretch of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, YOU can encourage participants holding American flags, and display photos and banners to honor the fallen. You’re invited to be part of this special tribute. If interested, complete the following volunteer form at: https://500festival.wufoo.com/forms/pzq32ki0o1c9uy/ To make a donation to the 500 Festival go to: https://500festivalfoundation.com/foundation/foundation/campaign/

Put your green thumb to the test and join the Plant and Tend volunteer group at the Indiana War Memorial Parks this summer!

Interested in volunteering your time helping beautify our Indiana War Memorials Historic District parks please visit: https://www.indianawarmemorials.org/donate/volunteer/

#IndianaWarMemorials
#DowntownIndy

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Put your green thumb to the test and join the Plant and Tend volunteer group at the Indiana War Memorial Parks this summer! Interested in volunteering your time helping beautify our Indiana War Memorials Historic District parks please visit: https://www.indianawarmemorials.org/donate/volunteer/ #IndianaWarMemorials #DowntownIndy

Honor your veteran this summer with a Brick of Honor. The bricks are placed at the foot of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Indianapolis, creating a lasting tribute to each veteran’s service and sacrifice.

Learn more about our Bricks of Honor program: https://www.indianawarmemorials.org/commemorate/

#ThankyouVeterans #IndyBricksofHonor #IndianaWarMemorials

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Honor your veteran this summer with a Brick of Honor. The bricks are placed at the foot of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Indianapolis, creating a lasting tribute to each veteran’s service and sacrifice. Learn more about our Bricks of Honor program: https://www.indianawarmemorials.org/commemorate/ #ThankyouVeterans #IndyBricksofHonor #IndianaWarMemorials

In March of 2023, the Indiana War Memorial was presented a framed newspaper article from the original dedication of the Medal of Honor Ceremony in 1999. The framed article is now on display in the Grand Lobby of the Indiana War Memorial.

Stop by and see this newspaper today, along with all our exhibits and artifacts representing U.S. and Indiana military service. The War Memorial is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9am to 5pm.

Admission is free!

*** The Shrine Room is closed for construction and is slated to reopen mid to late-September, 2025.

#MedalofHonor
#IndianaWarMemorial

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In March of 2023, the Indiana War Memorial was presented a framed newspaper article from the original dedication of the Medal of Honor Ceremony in 1999. The framed article is now on display in the Grand Lobby of the Indiana War Memorial. Stop by and see this newspaper today, along with all our exhibits and artifacts representing U.S. and Indiana military service. The War Memorial is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9am to 5pm. Admission is free! *** The Shrine Room is closed for construction and is slated to reopen mid to late-September, 2025. #MedalofHonor #IndianaWarMemorial

Construction Update!

You may have noticed the steps on the south side of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument are under construction. The steps are being replaced. The new steps will be limestone from the same quarry as the original steps.

The Soldiers and Sailors Monument observatory is open Thursday through Sunday from 10:30am. - 5:30pm.

Visit the observatory on your next visit downtown!

#soldiersandsailorsmonument
#downtownindy

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Construction Update! You may have noticed the steps on the south side of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument are under construction. The steps are being replaced. The new steps will be limestone from the same quarry as the original steps. The Soldiers and Sailors Monument observatory is open Thursday through Sunday from 10:30am. - 5:30pm. Visit the observatory on your next visit downtown! #soldiersandsailorsmonument #downtownindy

On this day in 1865, General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant in Virginia. This brought an end to the U.S. Civil War after more than 500,000 American deaths.

Did you know the Eli Lilly Civil War Museum is now open in the Indiana War Memorial Museum. Visit the exhibit and see artifacts that have been transferred from the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, as well as artifacts that have never before been on display. The Indiana War Memorial Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 to 5. Admission is free!

*** The Shrine Room is closed for construction and is slated to reopen mid to late-September, 2025.

#Indianasbestkeptsecret #Indianawarmemorials #VisityIndy

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On this day in 1865, General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant in Virginia. This brought an end to the U.S. Civil War after more than 500,000 American deaths. Did you know the Eli Lilly Civil War Museum is now open in the Indiana War Memorial Museum. Visit the exhibit and see artifacts that have been transferred from the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, as well as artifacts that have never before been on display. The Indiana War Memorial Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 to 5. Admission is free! *** The Shrine Room is closed for construction and is slated to reopen mid to late-September, 2025. #Indianasbestkeptsecret #Indianawarmemorials #VisityIndy

The U.S. entered World War I in April of 1917, soon after Corporal James Bethel Gresham of Evansville, Indiana traveled to France and fought under General John J. Pershing. Corporal Gresham was the first American soldier to be killed in November, 1917.

Learn more about the life and death of Corporal Gresham: https://www.indianawarmemorials.org/2021/04/09/the-first-to-fall/?fbclid=IwAR1PeiixMCT_ozYN0-Eb69dtKJc9x_EhFBlfOO2vm-F2VKdiYIcy7uwGAls

#IndianaMilitaryHistory #IndianaWarMemorials

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The U.S. entered World War I in April of 1917, soon after Corporal James Bethel Gresham of Evansville, Indiana traveled to France and fought under General John J. Pershing. Corporal Gresham was the first American soldier to be killed in November, 1917. Learn more about the life and death of Corporal Gresham: https://www.indianawarmemorials.org/2021/04/09/the-first-to-fall/?fbclid=IwAR1PeiixMCT_ozYN0-Eb69dtKJc9x_EhFBlfOO2vm-F2VKdiYIcy7uwGAls #IndianaMilitaryHistory #IndianaWarMemorials

Hours & Location

HOURS

Wednesday-Sunday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

ADMISSION

Admission to the museum is free, although donations are appreciated.

DIRECTIONS

Enter through main entrance at 55 East Michigan Street.

Get directions

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