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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:

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…
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…
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…
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

Commemorate your Veteran's legacy this Valentine’s 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/. 

#ValentinesDay #IndyBricksofHonor #MonumentCircle
On this day in 1861 newly elected President Abraham Lincoln stopped to meet his supporters in his boyhood home of Indiana on his way to Washington D.C. This was the last time President Lincoln visited Indiana before his assassination in 1865. 

Did you know Indiana Governor Oliver P. Morton was a close ally of President Lincoln? This resulted in Indiana’s large contribution to the Union Army during the American Civil War. Learn more about Indiana’s extensive contribution to the Union at the Eli Lilly Civil War Exhibition at the Indiana War Memorial Museum.

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

#indianasbestkeptsecret #IndianaWarMemorialMuseum
On this day in 1942, the first Medal of Honor during WWII was awarded to Second Lieutenant Alexander Nininger (posthumously) for heroism during the Battle of Bataan. 

DID YOU KNOW? The Indiana War Memorial Museum has a genuine Medal of Honor on display that belongs to native Hoosier, Sammie Lee Davis, who served valiantly during the Vietnam War? 
Come and see it, find out who it belongs to, and what connection this medal has to a famous Academy-Award Winning movie, starring Tom Hanks. 

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

#RunForestRun #youdontlosetilyouquittrying #IndianasBestKeptSecret #IndianaWarMemorials
Lucy Higgs Nichols was born in 1838, in her early 20s Lucy escaped slavery and joined the 23rd Indiana Infantry Regiment in Tennessee as their nurse. 

Learn more about the life of Lucy Higgs Nichols, her dedication to the 23rd Regiment and how she is honored today for her sacrifice.

https://www.indianawarmemorials.org/2022/02/07/stories-of-service-the-life-of-lucy-higgs-nichols/

#BlackHistoryMonth
#LucyHiggsNichols
#Thankyouforyourservice 

(Image: http://www.carnegiecenter.org)
Did you know the Soldiers and Sailors Monument is 284 feet, 6 inches tall? That is only 15 feet shorter than the Statue of Liberty. 

#SoldiersandSailorsMonument
Located on the east side of the American Legion Mall, the World War II Memorial consists of a half-circle of granite and limestone that features excerpts from Hoosier soldiers’ letters home to friends and family. 

Opposite the half circle stands a freestanding column that lists the order of campaigns, major theaters, and operations of WWII. 

Stop by some time and check it out. 

#WorldWarIIMemorial #IndianaWarMemorials #DowntownIndy #IndianasBestKeptSecret
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 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/. 

#Veterans #IndyBricksofHonor #MonumentCircle
On this day we honor four military chaplains who died on February 3, 1943 when the USAT Dorchester sank. 

To learn more about Chaplains Day and the four men who lost their lives, visit: https://www.legion.org/honor/244436/guidelines-honoring-four-chaplains 

#ChaplainsDay #IndianaWarMemorials #WWIIHistory

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