A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO
I’m excited to share with you the good news of the many great things the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites team has accomplished this past fiscal year. We enjoyed a 13 percent increase in general attendance year over year, and connected our audiences to something purposeful and relevant. Our visitors bring our experiences to life – through their curiosity, delight and interaction.
You can enjoy this for yourself through our two new experiences, Ancient Seas and Good Night Forest. Our in-house team reimagined the Ancient Seas gallery, a permanent exhibit at the museum that connects the past and present by expanding the context of how to relate to fossils to tell more impactful stories and create memorable moments for our visitors.
Good Night Forest was created and produced by ISMHS staff in partnership with Minnetrista Museum and Gardens in Muncie, allowing us to reach a broader audience with this unique adventure. This nature-inspired experience focuses on cultivating scientific curiosity and building confidence all within a whimsical forest, filled with engaging sensory surprises and delightful moments.
We received national attention through the creation of a historic Forever Stamp to honor Catharine Coffin and the heroes who helped 1,000 freedom-seekers through their journey north in the 1800s. And we produced a memorable exhibit entitled Influencing Lincoln: The Pursuit of Black Freedom, which explored the Black community’s fight for equal rights during and after the Civil War.
Together, the historic sites and the museum provided life-long learning and dynamic opportunities to guests state-wide. Along with our innovative early childhood programs and camps, we continue to build unique and lasting relationships with families and expanding audiences.
We are dedicated to working with the communities we serve. Through our programs, experience and preservation we are enthusiastic about the future and look forward to continued success. ◆
Warm regards,
Cathy FerreePresident and CEOIndiana State Museum and Historic Sites
