During your visit to the Indiana War Memorial Museum, explore 30,000 square feet of exhibits that portray American military history, from the Revolutionary War to the present day with emphasis on Indiana’s role in United States conflicts.
Indiana War Memorial Museum Collection
Explore Indiana War Memorial Museum’s Collection including thousands of weapons, uniforms, medals, artillery, vehicles, models, military equipment and other artifacts. Various firearms and equipment used by America and her allies and enemies can be found in each gallery. Artillery pieces displayed throughout the Museum include a Mexican War/Civil War bronze cannon with limber, a World War I 75mm cannon and a Vietnam-era 105mm Howitzer. Highlighted vehicles include an AH-1 Cobra Attack Helicopter, a Gulf War Humvee and a World War II/ Korean War-era Jeep. Scale models of the battleship USS Indiana (BB-58) and the B-2 ‘Spirit of Indiana’ Stealth Bomber, the control center of the USS Indianapolis (SSN-697) nuclear attack submarine and a collection of original World War I and II recruiting posters are also included in the Museum’s Collection.
Battle Flag Collection
Of particular importance is the State’s Battle Flag Collection featuring over 400 original battle flags, the majority national and regimental flags from Indiana regiments that served in the American Civil War. Flags from the collection, including the regimental of the 11th Indiana Infantry Regiment, commanded by Lew Wallace and the 28th Regiment Indiana Infantry, Indiana's famous African-American regiment, can be found on display in the Museum.
Indiana War Memorial Museum Exhibits
The Indiana War Memorial Museum chronicles American military history. Learn about the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I and World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and the War on Terror in Afghanistan and Iraq. Additional exhibits examine various peacekeeping operations around the world. Touch screens featuring interactive databases with information about Hoosier veterans of World Wars I and II as well as the Korean and Vietnam Wars are also included in the Museum’s exhibits.
USS Indianapolis Gallery
The USS Indianapolis Gallery pays tribute to the crew of the famous World War II heavy cruiser, USS Indianapolis. Located in the east hallway of the main floor of the Museum, the gallery showcases medals, photographs, flags, pennants, artwork, newsletters, documents and other unique artifacts that once belonged to the sailors and Marines who served aboard the ship. Highlights of the gallery include a carefully crafted scale model of the ship, a large map that depicts the campaigns of the USS Indianapolis in the Pacific Theater, the actual bell from the ship and the 1936 Presidential Flag used by President Franklin D. Roosevelt when he used the USS Indianapolis as his “Ship of State.” Additional displays in the USS Indianapolis Gallery include the Tiffany Silver Service used during the battleship USS Indiana during the Spanish-American War and the USS Indianapolis during World War II. Don’t miss the USS Indianapolis Radio Room, near the gallery. You will step back in time as you enter this fully operational replica of the radio room aboard the ship, complete with World War II equipment.
- If time permits, be sure to explore the surrounding landmarks in Indiana War Memorial Plaza Historic District with parks that feature acres of monuments, statues, sculptures and fountains.