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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

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

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.

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

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

On this day in 1863 the Battle of Gettysburg began during the American Civil War.

Did you know the Eli Lilly Civil War Exhibit is open in the Indiana War Memorial Museum, including artifacts on display to the public for the first time ever. Visit the exhibit from Wednesday to Sunday between 9am and 5pm. Admission is Free!

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

#BattleofGettysburg #CivilWar #IndianaWarMemorials

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On this day in 1863 the Battle of Gettysburg began during the American Civil War. Did you know the Eli Lilly Civil War Exhibit is open in the Indiana War Memorial Museum, including artifacts on display to the public for the first time ever. Visit the exhibit from Wednesday to Sunday between 9am and 5pm. Admission is Free! *** The Shrine Room is closed for construction and is slated to reopen mid to late-September, 2025. #BattleofGettysburg #CivilWar #IndianaWarMemorials

Happy Father’s Day!

Thank you to all of our fathers - and especially thank you to those who serve in the United States Military and those who have helped raise our military heroes!

#FathersDay #indianawarmemorials #thankfulforourveterans

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Happy Father’s Day! Thank you to all of our fathers - and especially thank you to those who serve in the United States Military and those who have helped raise our military heroes! #FathersDay #indianawarmemorials #thankfulforourveterans

Happy Birthday to the U.S. Army.

Did you know the Army was created before our nation declared independence? Our Nation`s Army has seen it all from the Revolutionary War through today! Thank you!

#USArmy #IndianaWarMemorials #ArmyStrong #Thiswelldefend

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Happy Birthday to the U.S. Army. Did you know the Army was created before our nation declared independence? Our Nation's Army has seen it all from the Revolutionary War through today! Thank you! #USArmy #IndianaWarMemorials #ArmyStrong #Thiswelldefend

On this day in 1777, the Second Continental Congress officially adopted a singular flag for the Continental Army. For the first time the Thirteen Colonies had a single flag under which to fight the British.

The first "American" flag consisted of thirteen white and red stripes, signifying the thirteen colonies and thirteen white stars in blue "representing a new constellation."

Did you know the Indiana War Memorial Museum has a reproduction of the “Betsy Ross Flag” 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.

#FlagDay #UShistory #Indianawarmemorials

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On this day in 1777, the Second Continental Congress officially adopted a singular flag for the Continental Army. For the first time the Thirteen Colonies had a single flag under which to fight the British. The first "American" flag consisted of thirteen white and red stripes, signifying the thirteen colonies and thirteen white stars in blue "representing a new constellation." Did you know the Indiana War Memorial Museum has a reproduction of the “Betsy Ross Flag” 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. #FlagDay #UShistory #Indianawarmemorials

Have you visited University Park this summer? University Park has plenty of benches and picnic tables and is a great spot to enjoy an afternoon outside in Downtown Indy this summer!

#Visitindy
#DowntownIndy #HistoricalIndianapolis #IndianaWarMemorials

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Have you visited University Park this summer? University Park has plenty of benches and picnic tables and is a great spot to enjoy an afternoon outside in Downtown Indy this summer! #Visitindy #DowntownIndy #HistoricalIndianapolis #IndianaWarMemorials

Looking for a fun activity this summer for the whole family to enjoy?

Why not check out the PocketSights App! Download PocketSights - found in the app store - and enjoy a personal tour of the Indiana War Memorials properties from your phone!
#VisitIndy #DowntownIndy #IndianaWarMemorials

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Looking for a fun activity this summer for the whole family to enjoy? Why not check out the PocketSights App! Download PocketSights - found in the app store - and enjoy a personal tour of the Indiana War Memorials properties from your phone! #VisitIndy #DowntownIndy #IndianaWarMemorials

Today is the anniversary of D-Day. On this day - in 1944 - more than 160,000 Allied troops landed along a stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline on the beaches of Normandy.

The sacrifices made by the Allied troops that day allowed for more than 100,000 service members to join the difficult struggle across Europe, eventually leading to an Allied victory.

Learn more about D-Day and the many Hoosiers who made the ultimate sacrifice 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.

#DDay #WWIIHistory #IndianaWarMemorials

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Today is the anniversary of D-Day. On this day - in 1944 - more than 160,000 Allied troops landed along a stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline on the beaches of Normandy. The sacrifices made by the Allied troops that day allowed for more than 100,000 service members to join the difficult struggle across Europe, eventually leading to an Allied victory. Learn more about D-Day and the many Hoosiers who made the ultimate sacrifice 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. #DDay #WWIIHistory #IndianaWarMemorials

Today the Battle of Midway began in 1942. The Battle was a turning point in the Pacific during WWII.

Did you know Raymond A Spruance, the commander of the U.S. naval forces, was raised in Indianapolis and graduated from Shortridge High School? Learn more about Admiral Spruance and other Hoosiers who served in World War II at the Indiana War Memorial Museum open Wednesday through Sunday between 9am and 5pm. Admission is free!

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

#BattleofMidway #IndianaWarMemorials #WWII

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Today the Battle of Midway began in 1942. The Battle was a turning point in the Pacific during WWII. Did you know Raymond A Spruance, the commander of the U.S. naval forces, was raised in Indianapolis and graduated from Shortridge High School? Learn more about Admiral Spruance and other Hoosiers who served in World War II at the Indiana War Memorial Museum open Wednesday through Sunday between 9am and 5pm. Admission is free! *** The Shrine Room is closed for construction and is slated to reopen mid to late-September, 2025. #BattleofMidway #IndianaWarMemorials #WWII
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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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