List of museums in Indiana Facts for Kids

Indiana is a state full of amazing places to explore, especially if you love learning new things! This list will tell you about many cool museums in Indiana. A museum is a special place that collects and takes care of interesting objects. These objects can be about art, science, history, or different cultures. Museums then show these collections to the public so everyone can learn from them.

You won't find museums that only exist online here. We're focusing on real places you can visit! We'll also include art galleries run by non-profit groups or universities. Get ready to discover some fantastic spots in Indiana!

Exploring Indiana's Museums
Museums Across Indiana
- North
- Central
- South
See also

Exploring Indiana's Museums

Indiana has tons of museums, each with something unique to offer. From ancient history to modern art, there's a museum for almost every interest. Let's take a look at some of the exciting types of museums you can find.

History and Heritage Museums

Many museums in Indiana focus on local history, telling the stories of towns and counties. For example, the Adams County Historical Society Museum in Decatur shares the history of that area. You can also visit places like the Bartholomew County History Center in Columbus to learn about its past.

Some museums are in historic homes, like the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site in Indianapolis. This was the home of President Benjamin Harrison. The Culbertson Mansion State Historic Site in New Albany is another beautiful Victorian mansion you can explore. These homes show you what life was like long ago.

There are also special sites like the Angel Mounds State Historic Site near Evansville. This is an ancient archaeological site where you can learn about the Mississippian culture that lived there many years ago. It's like stepping back in time!

Science and Discovery Centers

If you love science and hands-on activities, Indiana has some great options. The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is one of the biggest and best children's museums in the world! It has interactive exhibits about science, dinosaurs, and more.

In Fort Wayne, Science Central offers fun, hands-on science exhibits. And in Bloomington, WonderLab is another fantastic science museum for kids to explore and experiment. These places make learning about science super exciting.

Art and Creativity

Art lovers will find many galleries and museums showcasing beautiful artworks. The Indianapolis Museum of Art has a huge collection, including paintings, sculptures, and modern designs. You can see art from different cultures and time periods.

The David Owsley Museum of Art at Ball State University in Muncie has over 11,000 pieces of art. The Fort Wayne Museum of Art and the South Bend Museum of Art also feature amazing collections, often highlighting Indiana artists.

Cool Cars, Planes, and Trains

If you're into vehicles, Indiana has some awesome museums for you! The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum in Auburn is dedicated to preserving classic cars from famous companies like Auburn, Cord, and Duesenberg.

For aviation fans, the Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum in Columbus shares military aviation history. The Grissom Air Museum in Peru is another great spot to learn about planes and flight.

Train enthusiasts will enjoy the National New York Central Railroad Museum in Elkhart, which tells the story of the New York Central Railroad. The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in North Judson even has a heritage railroad you can experience!

Unique and Special Interest Museums

Indiana also has some truly unique museums. The CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Terre Haute teaches about the Holocaust and the importance of forgiveness.

The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in Indianapolis celebrates Native American art and the American West. For music lovers, the Rhythm! Discovery Center in Indianapolis lets you explore drums and percussion instruments from all over the world.

You can even find a Hall of Heroes Superhero Museum in Elkhart, which sounds like a lot of fun for comic book fans!

Museums Across Indiana

Indiana is divided into three main tourism regions, and each one has many museums to visit.

North

The northern part of Indiana is home to many museums. Cities like Fort Wayne, South Bend, Lafayette, and Elkhart have a lot of museums and art galleries. You can find about 45 museums in this region! Other cities like Auburn, Michigan City, and Peru also have several interesting places to explore.

Central

The central part of Indiana, including the capital city of Indianapolis, is packed with museums. Indianapolis alone has about 30 museums! Overall, this region has around 60 museums and galleries. Major cities like Carmel, Fishers, Muncie, and Terre Haute are also great places to find museums.

South

The southern third of Indiana also has many wonderful museums. Cities such as Evansville, Bloomington, Columbus, and Jeffersonville offer about 25 museums and galleries. You can also find several museums in towns like Madison, New Albany, and Vincennes.

List of museums in Indiana facts for kids

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