Featured Stories
Racing in the Velodrome
The open air cycling track, or velodrome, before you is named for Marshall Walter “Major” Taylor. In 1899, Taylor, a renowned cyclist and world record holder from Indianapolis, became the second…
Kokomo Opalescent Glass
Beautiful glass has an almost inexplicable magical quality whether it’s a bowl, a sculpture, or a window. The way glass seems to capture the sun holds our attention. Making it though is a dangerous,…
Bloomington Residence of Collett and Vertis Johnson
Hoagy Carmichael's songs and musical style were heavily influenced by the Black musicians he heard in the jazz clubs of Indianapolis and at the socials he frequented at the homes of Black friends in…
Take a Tour
Luxury and Leisure in Indiana
18 Locations ~ Curated by Indiana Division of Historic Preservation and ArchaeologyHistoric Theaters in Indiana
18 Locations ~ Curated by Indiana Division of Historic Preservation and ArchaeologyStrife in the Hoosier State: The Civil War in Indiana
21 Locations ~ Curated by Indiana Division of Historic Preservation and ArchaeologyJackson County History Center
9 Locations ~ Curated by Volunteers of the Jackson County History CenterIndianapolis: LGBT+ History
8 Locations ~ Curated by Alyssa Boge, Braden Catt, Carolyn Harris, Meghan Hillman, Callie McCune, Adrienne Nirde, Stephanie Schulze, Laura Weiss, Jordan Ryan; Jeannie Regan-Dinius and Rebecca Shrum; Sam OpsahlRandom Stories
Book Nook
The Book Nook played a major role in Hoagy’s social life and musical career. A soda and sandwich shop popular among Indiana University students, the Book Nook was frequented by campus musicians who kept strict control over who was allowed to play…
New Albany and Salem (Monon) Railroad Station
In 1851, the New Albany and Salem Railroad Station was constructed in New Albany, IN as a stop along the railroad known as the Monon Railroad. This station was the most elaborate stop on this important early Midwestern line. Other than fueling the…
Indiana Dental College
As the last quarter of the 19th century began, the idea of an education for all Americans was becoming a reality. Educated professionals were gaining acceptance, especially in medical fields. Medical and dental colleges sprang up with alarming…
Hoagy Carmichael Growing Up in Bloomington
In his unpublished memoir Jazzbanders, Hoagy said of his hometown, “Bloomington offered everything. Creeks, ponds, rabbits, circuses and wide open spaces. I could cross a dusty street here in my bare feet without the aid of a traffic cop.” The…
Grand Hall
Architects Kopf and Deery used brick exteriors in creating this early Art Deco style building. Notice the abstract tapestry patterning to the brickwork as well as some influence from German modernistic architecture.
Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Building
Designed by Burns and Burns, the DNR Buildings interior features glue-lam beams to hold up the roof, a popular technology in the post war decades because steel prices were very high.
Discover Indiana
A project by Discover IndianaDiscover Indiana has been made possible by a Public Projects grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Its development has been previously funded by the Public History Program at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology, the Indiana Historical Society, Indiana Humanities, and Indiana Landmarks. Discover Indiana gratefully acknowledges their support of for this project. Read more About Us