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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

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

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#IndianaWarMemorials

Did you know that the Indiana War Memorial was designed after World War I to honor the Hoosier Veterans and casualties of the Great War?
Located in the Indiana War Memorial Historic district, the Memorial houses a 30,000 sq foot museum that tells the story of Indiana’s military history.

*** The Shrine Room is closed for construction and is slated to remain closed for approximately seven months.

#IndianaWarMemorials #IndianasBestKeptSecret

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Did you know that the Indiana War Memorial was designed after World War I to honor the Hoosier Veterans and casualties of the Great War? Located in the Indiana War Memorial Historic district, the Memorial houses a 30,000 sq foot museum that tells the story of Indiana’s military history. *** The Shrine Room is closed for construction and is slated to remain closed for approximately seven months. #IndianaWarMemorials #IndianasBestKeptSecret

Early on the morning of January 17, 1991 the Persian Gulf War began.

The Persian Gulf War was the response to Iraq`s invasion and annexation of Kuwait. Learn more about the Gulf War at the Indiana War Memorial and Museum, open Wednesday through Sunday from 9am to 5pm. Admission is free!

*** The Shrine Room is closed for construction and is slated to remain closed for approximately seven months.

#IndianaWarMemorials

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Early on the morning of January 17, 1991 the Persian Gulf War began. The Persian Gulf War was the response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait. Learn more about the Gulf War at the Indiana War Memorial and Museum, open Wednesday through Sunday from 9am to 5pm. Admission is free! *** The Shrine Room is closed for construction and is slated to remain closed for approximately seven months. #IndianaWarMemorials

William H Grider, of Colburn , Tippecanoe County, Indiana was inducted into the U.S. Army in January 1943.

Grider received two Bronze Service Stars and the Air Medal for his extensive bravery in World War II with the 8th Air Force`s strategic bombing campaign against Nazi-occupied Europe.

Visit the Indiana War Memorial and Museum to see William Grider’s medals on display and learn more about other Hoosier heroes from World War II. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9a.m. to 5p.m. Admission is free!

*** The Shrine Room is closed for construction and is slated to remain closed for approximately seven months.


#IndianaWarMemorials #WorldWarIIHeroes

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William H Grider, of Colburn , Tippecanoe County, Indiana was inducted into the U.S. Army in January 1943. Grider received two Bronze Service Stars and the Air Medal for his extensive bravery in World War II with the 8th Air Force's strategic bombing campaign against Nazi-occupied Europe. Visit the Indiana War Memorial and Museum to see William Grider’s medals on display and learn more about other Hoosier heroes from World War II. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9a.m. to 5p.m. Admission is free! *** The Shrine Room is closed for construction and is slated to remain closed for approximately seven months. #IndianaWarMemorials #WorldWarIIHeroes

Commemorate your Veteran`s legacy this Veterans Day by purchasing a Brick of Honor from the Indiana War Memorials Foundation.

The Brick of Honor will be placed at the foot of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument come spring of 2025, creating a lasting tribute to your veteran`s service and sacrifice in the heart of Indianapolis.

Learn more about purchasing a brick: https://www.indianawarmemorials.org/commemorate/.

#VeteransDay #IndyBricksofHonor #MonumentCircle

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Commemorate your Veteran's legacy this Veterans Day by purchasing a Brick of Honor from the Indiana War Memorials Foundation. The Brick of Honor will be placed at the foot of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument come spring of 2025, creating a lasting tribute to your veteran's service and sacrifice in the heart of Indianapolis. Learn more about purchasing a brick: https://www.indianawarmemorials.org/commemorate/. #VeteransDay #IndyBricksofHonor #MonumentCircle

Do you ever wonder how the Indiana War Memorial found its home in the Indianapolis area?

Learn more about the history and the construction of the Indiana War Memorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq3ckOZhH3U.

#IndianaWarMemorial #indysbestkeptsecret

(Image: Bass Photo Co Collection, Indiana Historical Society.)

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Do you ever wonder how the Indiana War Memorial found its home in the Indianapolis area? Learn more about the history and the construction of the Indiana War Memorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq3ckOZhH3U. #IndianaWarMemorial #indysbestkeptsecret (Image: Bass Photo Co Collection, Indiana Historical Society.)

On this day in 1920 the Treaty of Versailles took effect, officially bringing an end to World War I.

Visit the Indiana War Memorial and Museum to learn more about World War I and the Treaty that was to bring peace to the world in the years that followed. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9am to 5pm. Admission is free!

*** The Shrine Room is closed for construction and is slated to remain closed for approximately seven months.

#TreatyofVersailles #WorldWar1

(Image: history.com)

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On this day in 1920 the Treaty of Versailles took effect, officially bringing an end to World War I. Visit the Indiana War Memorial and Museum to learn more about World War I and the Treaty that was to bring peace to the world in the years that followed. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9am to 5pm. Admission is free! *** The Shrine Room is closed for construction and is slated to remain closed for approximately seven months. #TreatyofVersailles #WorldWar1 (Image: history.com)

On January 8, 1866 a public reception was held for the 28th United States Colored Troops, the only African American regiment organized in Indiana.

The original battle flag for the 28th Indiana Regiment is on display at the Indiana War Memorial and Museum in the recently relocated Eli Lilly Civil War Exhibition. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9am to 5pm. Admission is free!

*** The Shrine Room is closed for construction and is slated to remain closed for approximately seven months.

#CivilWarHistory #IndianaWarMemorials

(Image: 28th USCT at the Battle of Crater, July 30, 1864. Painting by Don Troiani)

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On January 8, 1866 a public reception was held for the 28th United States Colored Troops, the only African American regiment organized in Indiana. The original battle flag for the 28th Indiana Regiment is on display at the Indiana War Memorial and Museum in the recently relocated Eli Lilly Civil War Exhibition. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9am to 5pm. Admission is free! *** The Shrine Room is closed for construction and is slated to remain closed for approximately seven months. #CivilWarHistory #IndianaWarMemorials (Image: 28th USCT at the Battle of Crater, July 30, 1864. Painting by Don Troiani)

Commemorate your Veteran`s legacy this Veterans Day by purchasing a Brick of Honor from the Indiana War Memorials Foundation.

The Brick of Honor will be placed at the foot of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument come spring of 2025, creating a lasting tribute to your veteran`s service and sacrifice in the heart of Indianapolis.

Learn more about purchasing a brick: https://www.indianawarmemorials.org/commemorate/.

#VeteransDay #IndyBricksofHonor #MonumentCircle

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Open
Commemorate your Veteran's legacy this Veterans Day by purchasing a Brick of Honor from the Indiana War Memorials Foundation. The Brick of Honor will be placed at the foot of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument come spring of 2025, creating a lasting tribute to your veteran's service and sacrifice in the heart of Indianapolis. Learn more about purchasing a brick: https://www.indianawarmemorials.org/commemorate/. #VeteransDay #IndyBricksofHonor #MonumentCircle

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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