Indianapolis Museums: Cultural Treasure Troves of the Circle City

Indianapolis museums are some of the most-visited in the United States, generously dotting the sprawling metropolis of Indianapolis and serving both the inner and outer communities. The scope and quality of Indianapolis museums attest to a pervasive love of Indianapolis history, Indianapolis culture and the diverse and always fascinating arts in Indianapolis.

Below is a listing of some of the best Indianapolis museums:

Indianapolis Art Museums

	Indianapolis Museum of Art – The granddaddy of all Indianapolis museums, this Indianapolis attraction is proud to be one of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States. A variety of collections in many different mediums, as well as guest lectures, films, exhibitions are all present at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.
	Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art – The Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art (iMOCA) is an Indianapolis art museum that aims to “increase the appreciation of contemporary art and its influence on modern culture”. Exhibits at the Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art are constantly rotated to highlight contemporary works created by local Hoosiers.
	Eiteljorg Museum of American Indian and Western Art – The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indian and Western Art, founded in 1989, features a wide variety Western and Native American art and cultural exhibits. Originally the collection of Harrison Eiteljorg, this Indianapolis museum has since expanded to three massive galleries.
	Indianapolis Art Galleries – Indianapolis art galleries often double as art museums; however, many galleries represent works by specific Indy residents. The Herron Galleries, for example, only showcase pieces by students at the Herron School of Art and Design, so it is not technically a museum.

Indianapolis Historic Homes

	Morris-Butler House Museum - The Morris-Butler House Museum is an Indianapolis monument to the Victorian era and a uniquely preserved treasure for the people of Indianapolis to learn from. It was Colonel Eli Lilly who urged the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana to purchase the Morris-Butler property and restore it to a museum of art and history. Marking Indy’s Monuments and Museums: The Morris-Butler House
	James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home – The James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home is a perfectly maintained and authentic Victorian structure containing period pieces and décor of the time. James Whitcomb Riley lived in it for some 23 years, and in it can still be viewed many pieces of nostalgia, such as the original wallpaper and carpets and a copy of his last poem.
	Meredith Nicholson House Museum – The Meredith Nicholson Home in the historic north side of Indianapolis preserves the legacy of a famed Indiana author and shelters the Indiana Humanities Council. Known as “The House of a Thousand Candles,”it is the historic place where Meredith Nicholson penned his best selling novel of the same name.
	Benjamin Harrison Presidential Home – Stately and majestic, set off from the bustling city of present-day Indy by sprawling, manicured lawns and long-established gardens with trees towering above the third story, the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Home has long been on the list of visitors’ favorite things to do in Indianapolis.
	General Lew Wallace Study and Museum – Located less than 50 miles northwest of Indianapolis in Crawfordsville, Indiana, the General Lew Wallace Study and Museum is an adventurous and educational destination for a day trip from Indianapolis.
	Historic Hannah House – Built in 1858 by prominent public figure Alexander Hannah, this dark building is rich with tradition and shrouded in mystery, making it one of the most-visited haunted houses in Indiana.

Indianapolis Sports Museums

	NCAA Headquarters Hall of Champions – The NCAA Hall of Champions, located in White River State Park, is an Indianapolis museum, conference and exhibition center highlighting the accomplishments of college athletes. This 30,000 square foot, two level venue features inspiring theater presentations, as well as tributes to former and current NCAA student athletes
	Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum – The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum, located at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on the west side of Indianapolis, features highlights in racing and one of the most complete and visited collections of motorsport memorabilia in the world.
	National Art Museum of Sport – The National Art Museum of Sport on campus at Indiana University – Purdue University (IUPUI) has one of the largest collections of art about sports in the world, and features hundreds of different paintings and sculptures, ranging from heavily detailed portraits of specific athletes, such as Peyton Manning and Reggie Miller, to more abstract stylings of the glory of sports.

Indianapolis History Museums

	Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum – The Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum is housed inside the famous Soldiers and Sailors Monument in the heart of Indianapolis. This unique Indianapolis museum is a testament not only to the courage of those who fought for their patriotic beliefs, but also to the imaginations of the museum’s creators.
	Indiana State Museum – The primary goal of this Indianapolis museum is to collect, preserve, and interpret for the public the cultural and natural history of the state of Indiana. The Indiana State Museum has grown from a small private collection to an impressive display of the artistic and scientific contributions that make the Hoosier State the fine state that it is today.
	Indiana Medical History Museum – The Indiana Medical History Museum houses a wide range of artifacts dating back to the 18th century, and the building itself is the oldest facility devoted to the study of pathology in the United States. The valuable collection inside the museum spans a wide range of years and topics, containing historical pieces from the very first studies of psychiatry and medicine up through present day practices.
	Indiana War Memorial Museum – The Indiana War Memorial Museum is another major Indianapolis attraction. Set in the place of honor at the center of downtown Indianapolis, it is a tall, imposing shrine in the classical Greek style of architecture.
	Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center – The Indiana History Center archives include over 1-1/2 million photographs, 45,000 books and pamphlets, 5,000 manuscript collections, 1,100 maps, 14,000 pieces of sheet music, 60 paintings and 3,300 artifacts about the history of Indiana.

The Morris-Butler House Museum is an Indianapolis monument to the Victorian Era and a uniquely preserved treasure for the people of Indianapolis to learn from.

Specialized Museums in Indianapolis

	Indianapolis Children’s Museum – The Indianapolis Children’s Museum is the world’s largest children’s museum, and its 1925 opening date places it as the fourth oldest institution of its kind in the world. The current building was built in 1976 and has undergone several expansions since this initial building date.
	Carter Toy Museum – Spanning three floors and boasting an antique shop and gift shop, along with an old-time ice cream parlor, Carter’s is the perfect place for Indianapolis kids of all ages to explore a piece of Indiana history.
	Grissom Air Museum – Home to decades of aviation history in Indiana, this unique museum in Peru, Indiana displays the propeller from the second Wright plane, dated 1908. Military aircraft from World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and Desert Storm are also on display.
	Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum – The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum opened doors in 1974, and it’s now one the National Register of Historic Places. More than 100 cars are on display and many of them were made right around the Circle City, some were even built by Indianapolis businesses.