Indiana War Memorial & Museum

The Indiana War Memorial Plaza was built to commemorate the veterans of the First World War, and the headquarters of the American Legion was one of its first buildings. This elegant plaza with its fountains, statues and monuments lies at the heart of the city’s historic district. Like the National Mall in Washington DC, to which it bears a striking resemblance, the plaza is both a significant heritage site and a place for recreation and reflection.

The plaza is dominated by the Indiana War Memorial, modelled on the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Built as a moving tribute to local residents who lost their lives in the First World War, the monument also commemorates others who have perished in subsequent conflicts. The museum on the lower level houses a collection of historic flags from military battles, including over 300 dating back to the American Civil War. Visitors can also follow a timeline of weaponry from the Civil War era to the present day.

The upper floor contains the Shrine Room, constructed from materials collected from the allied nations of the First World War and dedicated to peace and unity. Vast pillars of Vermont marble lead the eye past a prominent Stars and Stripes flag to the crowning glory, a ceiling made of Swedish crystal known as the Star of Destiny.

Another site of national significance is the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, a neoclassical column erected in 1901 to commemorate veterans of the American Revolution. Take the lift or climb the stairs to the observation deck for breathtaking views of the plaza and the wider city. During the Christmas period the column is decorated like a Christmas tree in a local tradition known as the Circle of Lights.

Admission to the Indiana War Memorial Museum is free and it is open from Wednesday to Sunday. There is also a small museum of Indiana Revolutionary history at the base of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument.