Events Happening at the Indiana State Museum This Fall

Events Happening at the Indiana State Museum This Fall- Just like summer, there is no shortage of fun going on in Indianapolis this fall for families. Here is the line up for September through October. Be sure to check out all the free events as well!

Fall – September through October

NEW ISM Experience: The Art of the Brick®

When: Sept. 29 – Jan. 6
Price: Included with admission
What: Children and adults alike will marvel at the incredible art made from millions of LEGO bricks in this traveling exhibit from artist Nathan Sawaya. The Art of the Brick® has traveled around the world to locations such as Australia, Taiwan, Singapore and China, and it will be coming to the Indiana State Museum beginning September 29. Visitors will see more than 70 creations from Sawaya, then be able to build their own LEGO creations in a special LEGO play area. The exhibit is the first-ever art exhibition to focus exclusively on LEGO bricks as an art medium. More info to follow.

NEW ISM Experience: Cardboard Engineering

When: Sept. 29 – May 27
Price: Included with admission
What: Imaginations will run wild in the Indiana State Museum’s Cardboard Engineering experience opening Sept. 29, where visitors will find a room filled with the raw materials to turn fantastic ideas into incredible cardboard creations. Whether building a house or a spaceship, a school bus or sculpture, visitors will be inspired to dream up whatever they’d like to build in this area of free creation. More info to follow.

ISM Event: Family Night Out: Spooky Science

When: 6 to 8 p.m., Oct. 5
Price: $8/member, $15/non-member
What: Dress in your Halloween best for a night of Spooky Science at the Indiana State Museum. See a shocking demonstration on static electricity, make things bubble, glow and ooze, create your own eerie decorations and meet a mad scientist. Strut your stuff in a costume contest, and enter to win prizes in categories like “spookiest costume,” “best science costume,” “best homemade costume,” and “best Indiana connection costume.”

Angel Mounds State Historic Site: Halloween Hullabaloo

When: 6 to 9 p.m., Oct. 20 and 27
Price: $5/person, free for children under 3
What: Visitors are invited to evenings of spooky fun at Angel Mounds State Historic Site this October. Test your bravery in the Haunted Maze and escape the Mummy’s Curse in “The Tomb.” For those less brave, spend time working on games and crafts, get lost in the corn maze and take a tour of our property on our haunted hayride. Don’t forget to stop by the concession stand to warm up with a mug of hot chocolate. Visitors are invited to bring their trick-or-treat bags to collect candy throughout the night.

Corydon Capitol State Historic Site: The Capitol Ball

When: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sept. 8
Price: $15/individual, $25/couple
What: Guests at the ball will learn dances that could have been danced during Indiana’s first capital period (1816-1825). Dances will be called, so no prior experience is needed. Live music will be provided by Keltricity. Prior to the ball, free practice sessions will be offered for those who would like some practice beforehand. Attendees are encouraged to dress in period costume, and light refreshments will be served. This event will be held at the Harrison County YMCA. Reservations are preferred and can be made by calling 812-738-4890.

Culbertson Mansion State Historic Site: Literally, A Haunted House

When: Opens at 7 p.m. each night, Sept. 28, 29; Oct. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27
Price: TBD
What: Scaring since 1985, the Culbertson Mansion’s annual haunted house has all of the thrills and chills you would expect of a haunted house. This haunting takes place in the Carriage House of the Culbertson Mansion. Originally, the carriage house sheltered the family’s horse, buggy and the male servants to the household. After the Mansion was auctioned off, the carriage house fell into disuse…but dark legends abound concerning tragic fires, spiritual activity and even demonic possessions. Are you brave enough to traverse the haunted carriage house of the Culbertson Mansion? Come, if you dare!

Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site: Sip and Create

When: 6 p.m. to about 8 p.m., Sept. 8 and Nov. 10
Price: $25.00/person, for adults 21+
What: Join this program to design and create take-home pieces inspired by Gene Stratton-Porter and her love of nature. Staff and volunteers will guide you as you create pieces using natural elements that Gene showcased at her home in Wildflower Woods. September will feature milkweed pods to create unique ornaments, and November will feature family photographs in the creation of a beautiful holiday wreath. Each session includes supplies, snacks and Indiana-made wine.

Lanier Mansion State Historic Site: Ghost Walks

When: 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Sept. 15, 22, 29; Oct. 13, 20, 26, 27
Price: $15/adult, $7/youth ages 12 to 17, not recommended for those under 12 years of age
What: Is Lanier Mansion haunted? Visitors can find out for themselves during a ghost walk on select nights in September and October. Visitors will go inside the mansion and enjoy a nighttime, behind-the-scenes tour of the home, hearing spooky stories related to the house and its former inhabitants. After the tour, visitors can journey on to three other locations to hear stories about those sites as well, with the final stop at the Broadway Tavern – where participants age 21 and older can enjoy an additional “spirit” if they wish.

Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site: At the Underground Railroad’s Grand Central Station: A Poetry Workshop for Kids

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sept. 22 and Oct. 27
Price: $5/youth in grades 1 through 8; reservations required by calling 765-847-1691.
What: Youth are invited to spend a day with Indiana poet Shari Wagner for a poetry workshop at the Levi & Catharine Coffin State Historic Site. At the workshop, they will get familiar with the story of Levi & Catharine Coffin, Quakers whose 1839 home was at one time known at the “Grand Central Station of the Underground Railroad.” Children will enjoy a guided tour of the Coffin home and then work one-on-one with Wagner, where they will acquire insight into how they can express their reactions to the Coffin story and the history of the Underground Railroad. This program is supported by the Indiana Arts Commission.

Limberlost State Historic Site: Twilight Adventure

When: 7 to 9 p.m., Sept. 22
Price: $4/adult, $3/youth ages 3-17, free for those under 3 years of age
What: Explore the Loblolly Marsh as the sun goes down. Take a twilight hike, enjoy an animal presentation with skulls, furs and nests, and roast marshmallows around a campfire to cap off the evening. This event starts at the Loblolly Marsh Pavilion.

New Harmony State Historic Sites: Paranormal Investigations

When: 6:30 to 11 p.m., Sept. 28; Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26; Nov. 2
Price: $50/person. Tickets can be purchased at www.hauntednewharmony.com.
What: Explore the historic buildings of New Harmony after-hours alongside a host of paranormal investigators. This hands-on experience will allow you to communicate with the souls who may inhabit the space using a variety of real paranormal equipment.

T.C. Steele State Historic Site: 30^th Annual Great Outdoor Art Contest

When: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sept. 8
Price/Registration: Early bird registration (Aug. 1-31) is $10/adult, $5/youth under age 17. Regular admission (Sept. 1-8) is $15/adult, $10/youth under age 17. Registration materials available beginning Aug. 1 at www.tcsteele.org/programs. Day-of registration allowed.
What: The oldest plein air painting competition in Indiana celebrates its 30th year in 2018! Gates open at 7 a.m. for artists to bring their blank pages and canvases to be stamped in the site classroom, then it’s off to work. Artwork is judged at 2 p.m. beside the Formal Garden, and awards for child and adult categories are announced starting at 3:15 p.m. First place and People’s Choice winners will be displayed at the Brown County Art Guild following the competition. Brozinni Pizzeria will sell pizza by the slice and salads for lunch. The Great Outdoor Art Contest is part of Brown County Art Colony Weekend, Sept. 7-9.

T.C. Steele State Historic Site: Opening of new Visitors Center and Studio Wagon

When: Opening dates TBD
What: This fall, visitors to the T.C. Steele State Historic Site will enjoy a brand new Visitors Center as well as an interactive studio wagon experience based on Steele’s own studio wagon that he used to paint in various locations. More info to follow.

Vincennes State Historic Sites: Fort Fright

When: 6 to 7:30 p.m. (no-scare hours) and 7:30 to 11 p.m. (haunted trail), Oct. 18-20
Price: $8/adult, $5/child under the age of 12
What: Have a “spooktacular” time at the haunted trail around Fort Knox II and experience scare scenes based on local lore and legend. During the “no-scare hours,” little ones can enjoy games, a hay ride and more. During the “haunted trail hours,” families can test their courage with spooky experiences at dramatic stations around Fort Knox II.

Whitewater Canal State Historic Site: Spooky Halloween Cruises

When: 7:30, 8 and 8:30 p.m., Oct. 13 and 20
Price: $5/person
What: The Ben Franklin III canal boat will be hauntingly decorated for night cruises and staff will be dressed in costumes for the occasion. A professional storyteller will be on board to tell family-friendly spooky stories. Held in conjunction with the Haunted Village of Metamora.