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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

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#IndianaWarMemorials

Today is National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

Thank you to all those and their families who served in the Vietnam War.

Visit the Indiana War Memorial Museum to learn more about the sacrifice and bravery of our Hoosiers who fought in Vietnam.

The Museum is open Wednesday to Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm.

Admission is free!

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

Learn more about this day of commemoration:
https://www.military.com/veterans-day/vietnam-veterans-day#:~:text=Celebrated%20every%20March%2029%2C%20Vietnam,served%20in%20the%20Vietnam%20War.

#thankyouforyourservice #VietnamVeteransDay

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Today is National Vietnam War Veterans Day. Thank you to all those and their families who served in the Vietnam War. Visit the Indiana War Memorial Museum to learn more about the sacrifice and bravery of our Hoosiers who fought in Vietnam. The Museum is open Wednesday to Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm. Admission is free! *** The Shrine Room is closed for construction and is slated to reopen mid to late-September. Learn more about this day of commemoration: https://www.military.com/veterans-day/vietnam-veterans-day#:~:text=Celebrated%20every%20March%2029%2C%20Vietnam,served%20in%20the%20Vietnam%20War. #thankyouforyourservice #VietnamVeteransDay

Commemorate your Veteran`s legacy 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 in the summer 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/.

#Veterans #IndyBricksofHonor #MonumentCircle

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Commemorate your Veteran's legacy 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 in the summer 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/. #Veterans #IndyBricksofHonor #MonumentCircle

Today is National Medal of Honor Day. Indianapolis is proud to be the home to one of three congressionally recognized memorials honoring Medal of Honor recipients. The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest award for military valor.

#Thankyouforyourservice #MedalofHonor

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Today is National Medal of Honor Day. Indianapolis is proud to be the home to one of three congressionally recognized memorials honoring Medal of Honor recipients. The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest award for military valor. #Thankyouforyourservice #MedalofHonor

Tomorrow is Medal of Honor Day. Did you know there are 99 Medal of Honor recipients from Indiana?

Sammy Davis is Indiana’s only living recipient and his Medal of Honor can be seen on display at the Indiana War Memorial Museum. Learn more about Sammy Davis’ service and Medal of Honor Award at the Indiana War Memorials.

The Museum is open Wednesday to Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm. Admission is free!

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

#Thankyouforyourservice #MedalofHonorDay

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Tomorrow is Medal of Honor Day. Did you know there are 99 Medal of Honor recipients from Indiana? Sammy Davis is Indiana’s only living recipient and his Medal of Honor can be seen on display at the Indiana War Memorial Museum. Learn more about Sammy Davis’ service and Medal of Honor Award at the Indiana War Memorials. The Museum is open Wednesday to Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm. Admission is free! *** The Shrine Room is closed for construction and is slated to reopen mid to late-September. #Thankyouforyourservice #MedalofHonorDay

On this day, in 1918, the Second Battle of the Somme began. The German troops launched an extensive drive to win World War I. The offensive lasted until April 6 and casualties for both the German and Allied sides totalled at 17,100 troops.

Did you know: Trench warfare became the way of war during World War I? The Museum at the Indiana War Memorial has a lifesize trench replica you can walk through.

Come and see for yourself at the Museum, open Wednesday through Sunday between 9 am and 5 pm. Admission is free!

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

#Indianawarmemorials #WWI #militaryhistory

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On this day, in 1918, the Second Battle of the Somme began. The German troops launched an extensive drive to win World War I. The offensive lasted until April 6 and casualties for both the German and Allied sides totalled at 17,100 troops. Did you know: Trench warfare became the way of war during World War I? The Museum at the Indiana War Memorial has a lifesize trench replica you can walk through. Come and see for yourself at the Museum, open Wednesday through Sunday between 9 am and 5 pm. Admission is free! *** The Shrine Room is closed for construction and is slated to reopen mid to late-September. #Indianawarmemorials #WWI #militaryhistory

Today is the first day of Spring! After a long winter, Indiana War Memorials is excited to invite you back to our parks this summer.

Did you know the Indiana War Memorials Foundation has volunteer opportunities to assist on the Indiana War Memorial Properties? Interested in helping with the spring and summer beautification of the parks? Learn more at https://www.indianawarmemorials.org/donate/volunteer/

#IndianaWarMemorials

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Today is the first day of Spring! After a long winter, Indiana War Memorials is excited to invite you back to our parks this summer. Did you know the Indiana War Memorials Foundation has volunteer opportunities to assist on the Indiana War Memorial Properties? Interested in helping with the spring and summer beautification of the parks? Learn more at https://www.indianawarmemorials.org/donate/volunteer/ #IndianaWarMemorials

Did you know the circle, in which the Soldiers and Sailors Monument stands, was originally laid out for the Governor’s Mansion in 1827?

No governor ever lived in the mansion, but it was used for meetings, as a bank, and as a library until the building was eventually demolished. The Circle became a city park, eventually leading to the suggestion that a Monument be placed in the middle of the circle.

(Image: W.H Bass Photo Company)
#Soldiersandsailorsmonument
#visitIndy

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Did you know the circle, in which the Soldiers and Sailors Monument stands, was originally laid out for the Governor’s Mansion in 1827? No governor ever lived in the mansion, but it was used for meetings, as a bank, and as a library until the building was eventually demolished. The Circle became a city park, eventually leading to the suggestion that a Monument be placed in the middle of the circle. (Image: W.H Bass Photo Company) #Soldiersandsailorsmonument #visitIndy

Commemorate your Veteran`s legacy 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 in the summer 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/.

#Veterans #IndyBricksofHonor #MonumentCircle

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Commemorate your Veteran's legacy 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 in the summer 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/. #Veterans #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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