PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Something For Every Age and Interest
To complement the different stories shared at each of the 12 one-of-a-kind locations — from historic mansions and wooded retreats to a working grist mill and Indiana’s first capitol — the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites hosts a wide variety of engaging events and programs throughout the year.
These are just a few highlights of the hundreds of titles offered throughout the year. Browse the calendar to find upcoming programs and events — there is something for visitors of every age and interest.
GEOfestAmong the museum’s longest-running events, the 21st annual GEOfest drew in nearly 3,200 visitors for three days and three floors of crystals, fossils and rocks galore.
During this popular event, which is sponsored by Irving Materials, Inc., visitors had the opportunity to browse 25 booths of vendors from across the country and enjoy activity stations offered by the museum, local science clubs and other community partners.
Each year, GEOfest draws a large school audience, and visitors young and old alike enjoyed exploring the museum’s naturalist lab and galleries to discover unique fossils and geological artifacts, including a real moon rock.
Str8 Up Frederick DouglassOne of the museum’s most engaging and successful education programs of the past year has been Str8 Up Frederick Douglass in Rhythm, Rap and Jazz. Developed in collaboration with Asante Art Institute of Indianapolis and presented by Lacy Foundation, the live performance program was specifically adapted as a complement to the 2023 exhibition Influencing Lincoln: The Pursuit of Black Freedom.
Under the direction of Asante Founder and Artistic Director Deborah Asante, the program debuted in March 2023 and featured young adult artists in a hip-hop exploration of the life of prophet and freedom-fighter Frederick Douglass. With multiple monthly performances offered in the museum’s auditorium, thousands of school students and other visitors had the opportunity to experience Frederick Douglass’ legacy from a fresh perspective. In fact, the program turned out to be so popular with educators that the run of performances was extended through the end of the 2023-24 school year to accommodate additional field trips.
Literally, A Haunted HouseFrom colorful fall foliage to ghost stories and everything in between — many of the 12 locations offers something unique during spooky season. However, Culbertson Mansion State Historic Site has taken the ghoulish good times to a new level with Literally, A Haunted House.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Culbertson Mansion, this popular experience has been scaring visitors since 1985. Each fall, the historic site’s carriage house is transformed with spine-tingling special effects, spooky décor and terrifying monsters lurking around every corner.
An experience that is not for the faint of heart, Literally, A Haunted House has built a reputation as one of the best haunted houses in southern Indiana and the Louisville area, and with that acclaim, it sold out as it has for countless years running. ◆
