Excellent museum on Indiana state history. The museum does a good job of sharing history of all Hoosiers--regardless of race or gender. The exhibits include information on prominent Hoosiers including both blacks and whites. The Cole Porter exhibit is excellent and includes a singer who sings his songs as well as shares information about his life and work.

Amazing. My kids learned more from the living history displays in one day as compared with one year in school. Could have stayed a lot longer.The Christmas trees are excellent.

It was very educational and interesting. Set up for social distance and mask were wored.Really enjoyed my afternoon and I will go back soon.

So much fun to see history come to life with actual performers reenacting vintage era events!!!

We attended the Festival of Trees and had a blast. Took my 6 year old cousin and she was beyond thrilled. She had a blast trying to locate all the Pickles and the Elf on the Shelf. Also a lerfect event to bring out-of-town guests.

Very nice, interactive with live performers in period custumes playing various characters.

Fun time. Got to see 80 Christmas trees. Multiple live historical experiences. Will validate parking if you park in their garage. On canal so fun views. Nice cafeteria type area as well. Friendly staff and decent prices for what you get.

Wonderful collection of historical artifacts and memorabilia. Majestic building overlooking Canal Walk.

Great events and beautiful facility. Not super well thought out in layout for the Circus Day event, but a great community event nonetheless!

Great history exhibits pertaining to famous Indiana historic figures as well as Indiana tribes that are now extinct. The festival of trees put me in the Christmas mood.

Visted to see the You are there series on Madame Walker. but also saw the one on Angel Mounds. They are fantastic. The actors that play that play the people could get an academy award. They stay in character and represent the people they are playing so well. I really start thinking I am talking to the people. I did a bit of research on Madame Walker before I went and had some things I was curious about. In asking the question have to remember they will pretty much only respond to what happened in 1915 and prior. There are also guides who can help you with questions after the time frame. Every one of the You Are There series I have seen has been excellent.

Such a fun museum! In addition to a great downtown local along the canal, the exhibits themselves were awesome! I’ve never been to a museum with so much “live” interaction. The concept of time machines to transport you back to a space in time was as much fun for the adults and it was for children. The actors were very knowledgeable on anything you could thing to ask them. The architecture of the building is also very special. It has strong character but immediately, you feel like all ages are welcome and encouraged to “play”.

I went to see their 92 different themed Christmas trees and really enjoyed myself. The staff who played the role in the exhibit with the preacher did a great job! He was pretty versed on religion as well as Indiana history. We were also given a little lesson on how they preserve old Indiana manuscripts-fairly fascinating.

You need to go during Christmas time to see the numerous trees. But I will say outside that, they have great exhibits that give you insight into little know bits of history here in Indiana. If your going here, use their parking lot and make sure to get your validated parking ticket inside.

The whole day was such a treat ! Building is exquisitely decorated with 92 CHRISTMAS trees. The Cafe was phenomenal. I chose Italian sausage lasagne with salad, champagne dressing, 2 garlic bread toast WITH creamy tomato basil soup. THE BEST. Worth every penny. Very nice gift shop. Friendly staff.

My first time going today and I had a blast! I loved the immersive time travel! Probably one of the coolest and innovative things Ive ever seen at a museum. Such a cool way to learn about our history, with the most cutting-edge technology.

It is nice to see they have exhibits about people of color which reflect positive things in our lives. The Walker exhibit is great. We need more exhibits with people of color.

Was a enjoyable experience. The trees were amazing and so beautiful. Was with a group and a first time for several. Would highly recommend tickets very reasonable. Friendly staff.

This place does such an amazing job with really making you feel like youre in the middle of a historical moment with their You Are There series. They also have a lovely illustration on how conservation is done most effectively. The historical context in exhibits and the curation are top-notch. The programming is great and the staff knowledgeable and friendly.

My gosh does Indianapolis have some amazing history! The exhibits were very detailed and articulated well. The building was clean, and well kept. The staff were very welcoming, and eager to answer any questions you have. Anytime they are open is a good time to go. It was not very busy, which is a shame. More people should take advantage of such a fantastic gem, inside the city.

Great exhibits, friendly staff, free parking with admission! Really enjoyed the Festival of Trees.

A wonderful museum and resource located in the heart of the canal district in Indianapolis

I went to the Historical Society Museum with my 19 and 10 yo granddaughters. Everyone had a very enjoyable time. My 19 yo was impressed by the scope of the exhibits and the 10 yo liked the hands on areas. Both girls are excellent students and enjoy learning. We also ate in the Stardust Cafe and the food was excellent. A great day was had by all.

Festival of Trees is a wonderful, family friendly event held every year. Top it off with a yummy from Stardust Cafe in the basement!

Very unique and interesting place. It wasnt at all what I expected. I thought it would be like a museum instead its more of an interactive history lessons. Certain areas had actors acting out moments of the past.

Beautiful venue, and very friendly staff. Cant wait to host our event here!

The Cole Porter section was very cool with the player piano and the live singer, but the rest of the museum was underwhelming. The living history sections are a cool idea but I had no idea what to ask the historians. Maybe give the museum patrons a piece of paper with some interesting questions to ask to at least start a conversation.

Love coming here. The kids live it too.

Awesome amazing staff, very friendly and knowledgeable. I love the cafe downstairs, they have a unique menu and there signature sandwiches are amazing. Love the seating out by the Canal. My favorite time to go is for Concert on Canal and Tree Festival. My niece and nephews love it...don’t forget Circus Day!

The Indiana Arts Commission conference was very informative.

Complete a mystery solving event. Great atmosphere, friendly staff. It was a great evening. Won prize for the best costume

Great museum! Festival Of Trees is a must see every Christmas season. This museum is free for military, active duty and vets.

It was a great visit.

This one actor in the living museum demonstration who portrayed an Italian prisoner was very rude and it just ruined the whole experience. The actress portraying the civil war mother at least had a narrative she stuck to and it was interesting to interact with her. But the actor doing the prisoner seemed to only have snarky comments to anything you asked. Like be prepared, have a story. He was just the worst. Very bad experience.

White Party on the Canal was wonderful! Just wish that I had a date to dance with and ride the gondolas with.

Good exhibits, very educational.

I have been a long-time fan of the Indiana Historical Society. However, the last couple of visits have been lackluster. Perhaps since I attended their free Thursdays in summer events, they didnt feel the need to provide a full program. However, this would be a great opportunity to gain new members.And, I am still hoping for the return of the Member Plus 1 membership.

Great place to bring the family the interpreters were great learned many new facts in each room

Always a good time at the Indiana Historical Society. The Festival of Trees was a great reason for my wife and I to visit again.

Festival of Lights, Holiday Trees, 80 sponsored with unique themes.On display Dec 2017.

Good presentation of you were there events showing 1839 and 1939 historical times. Actors remained true to time period while responding to questions and provided interesting facts appropriate for our elementary aged granddaughter. The musical Cole Porter presentation was enjoyable. Lots to see.

I love it

Very clean. Friendly staff very nice layout. Was there for company meeting and banquet. Food was excellent meeting area comfortable with easy access for both direction of hall and stage. Spacious dining area in large foyer with grand design. Bar was staffed clean and organized with knowledgeable helpful staff.

The IHS offers a great view of Indianas rich and vibrant history and provides an atmosphere that is welcoming to all age groups.

This is a very neat place to visit downtown. I went for the Festival of Trees and it was a really cool event and would highly recommend it during the Holiday Season. They had 80 uniquely different trees with each having there own them. They also have a Colts museum along with various other museums and things to do there. Again, I would highly recommend a visit if you are downtown.

Love the IHS so glad Indianapolis has this place and thankful for their community efforts. We love volunteering here! #WeDoHistory

We go every year to look at the Christmas trees. Our daughter loved it this year.

Not overly crowded. Staff friendly and helpful. Excellent exhibits, especially live interactive ones.

Ive only been there once, to serve at a catered event, upon a a quick once over, Ive decided I want to go back and really look around! Will update the stars after I visit as a guest

This is a beautiful building located in the downtown area. The space is large enough to host an office Xmas party or function. At the moment they are having a beautiful Xmas display of Xmas trees. If you have some spare time I suggest you go the admission is very reasonable. I took off a star b/c it wasnt very visible from the street.

Really cool exhibits celebrating Indianas history. Cool little store with unique Indiana finds.

What a fantastic experience! I didnt know this hidden gem was downtown!

Great info about our great state! Very interactive and great characters!

Perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon looking at the beautiful Christmas trees.

This place was awesome. We went on a guided tour. The actors stayed in character and answered any time specific questions we had. It was an informative and interactive experience. Im looking forward to going back with the whole family.

I have been a teacher of Indiana Studies for over 26 years. I hate to be that guy who gives a bad review; but in this case I must. We planned a whole afternoon of our vacation with intention of seeing what there is to offer from this museum. What we saw was a beautiful building with as many artifacts on display as I have in two boxes in my classroom. Pointers should be taken from the Chicago, Boston and Richmond historical museums. Cahokia Mounds exhibit (outside St. Louis) puts the Angel Mound to shame. Fellow Hoosiers beware.

Great museum with lots to see! Downstairs there’s a restaurant & patio for eating next to a beautiful canal district! Must stop in Indy!

Amazing displays and venue. Check out the gift shop too for unique Indiana items

Very helpful and most informative, especially those in the Cole Porter Room-very inviting!

Stopped in to see the festival of trees and took the time to check out all of their other exhibits. Very cool live actor in the civil war letters exhibit. The Colts exhibit was very informative and interactive. Very helpful guides through out the place. Stopped in to check out their retail store. They had an impressive amount of Indiana items and a wide assortment of great history books.

This place is GORGEOUS. Hidden gem, go there!

Loved looking at all the beautiful and creative Christmas trees.

Went to a wedding reception here. Great space and charming. The acoustics are not the best for a band, but it worked.

Great time of the year to go 93 Christmas trees in all.

This place is awesome the colts exhibit is pretty cool. The live action back in time exhibits are cool as well. Almost makes you feel like you did travel back in time.

Great time with my girls 8yrs, 12 yrs.

These people doing amazing job of keeping Indiana history alive. Its in a beautiful part of downtown right on the canal. While you are checking out the museum or heading to your next meal down below check out the schedule for the summer events. They have concerts All Summer Long Outdoors where you and your family and friends can sit along the canal in the lawn listening to the band

Beautiful place to have a celebration of life.

Saw 80 decorated Christmas trees for various companies. Creative, beautiful, thought-provoking. Each one was awesome in their own way! Voted on top three favorites. Will return next year for sure!

Great place with plenty of live and engaging historical exhibits. I really enjoyed the Civil War living exhibit, and the Cole Porter room. A must see if youre travelling to Indianapolis

The Indiana historical society has a very beautiful building that seems like it has its own history! We were there for an even in the evening, so not much was open, but the staff we interacted with were all very helpful.

Not the biggest or flashiest, but it is very nice. Easy way to kill a few hours in the afternoon, then take a walk along the canal. We went for the colts exhibit, which was a tad underwhelming, but really enjoyed the Gettysburg interactions and digital postcard stuff. Cant wait to go back for the Christmas tree display when theyre all done. Well, my wife cant anyway.

The festival of trees is spectacular every year. It seems the participants outdo themselves year after year.I also love the displays of times past. Currently, the two are of a civil war mother, very moving & an itinerant preacher in Danville in the 1830s. The actors stay in character & make you feel as though you are in the past.I highly recommend the experience.The gift shop is very special with many unique gifts and very affordable.

Beautiful place. Interesting exhibits. Right on the canal. Recommend visiting.

Amazing! Check the Cole Porter room and request a song. The ‘You Are There’ exhibits are really cool. Visit at Christmas.

Beautiful building with awesome, knowledgeable staff. There are so many things to see and it is definitely worth spending a day there! Stop by, you wont be disappointed!

Festival of Trees was very nice.

They have nice exhibitions in a beautiful and it is next to a big parking building!

I found the reenactments very informative for the history being portrayed.

Beautiful display of trees and informative exhibits.

Wow. What a fabulous Christmas tree display.

Excellent museum with lots to see and do. I especially love the you are there living history exhibits with actors. Also beautiful location on the canal.

I loved the kid friendly circus day. Only thing it was Very crowded and big events in small rooms. With one table tiny events in larger spaces

This gem has a fantastic library and regular displays focused on Indiana, but the best part is the You Are There exhibits where you interact with historical figures.

Love coming out here. Its fun, educational and inexpensive to spend a good few hours. The interactive experiences are always great. I really liked the one based off a letter from a solider from the battle of Gettysburg. It was riveting.

Awesome facility to learn allot about the state.

Colts exhibit is really cool and the tons of Christmas trees

This is a very nice place to visit. It is very nice to see inside and I recomend that you go and have a great! time and go back again you will love it.

Very educational. The singer was excellent!

Madam CJ Walker is exquisite! A must see.

Foster Grandparent Annual Banquet featuring A Toast to The Temptations

This is an amazing place! The venue is gorgeous, placed just off the canal for a beautiful view out the large bay of windows. The exhibits are always up to date and so lifelike! All of the exhibits were interactive and educational for adults and children alike. There is always something new to do or look at!

Walk The Talk was awesome here! Fantastic live speaker series in a wonderful venue!

The Historical Society offers an interesting backdrop for photos. We love the staircase for wedding ceremonies, especially. And, being along the canal is such an added bonus for events. Weve been fortunate to photograph many events at this venue over the years.

We had a great time. There were plenty of things to do. The magic show was funny and she loves Silly Safari. I am sad that the Circus is gone.

Nice place to take the family.

Live you are there sessions with actors who know their history and play it out for you. Was not crowded which is a bit of a shame. They contextualize the history and their exhibits will hold the attention of fourth graders through senior citizens.

Gift shops are nice and have a great selection of items sourced from and about Indiana. Seasonal decorations look great. Quiet atmosphere for a peaceful walk.

The Xmas trees

Excellent museum in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. I love every trip its always fun and educational.