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Events Happening at the Indiana State Museum This Summer

Events Happening at the Indiana State Museum This Summer- There is no shortage of fun going on in Indianapolis this summer for families. Here is the line up for June through August. There is so much that I will be posting another one at the beginning of August for all the Fall happenings. Be sure to check out all the free events as well!

Events Happening at the Indiana State Museum This Summer

Events Happening at Indiana State Museum This Summer

Summer – June through August

ISM Program: Canal Nights

  • When: 6 to 8 p.m., June 6, 13, 27; July 4, 11, 18, 25
  • Price: Free
  • What: Canal Nights at the Indiana State Museum are nights of free, family-friendly fun along the canal just outside the museum entrance. Enjoy games, engineering activities, science challenges and more. Themes include STEAM Night, Water Science, Build It! and other themes. A full list of themes by date can be found at www.indianamuseum.org/family-and-camps.

 

Canal Nights at Indiana State Museum

ISM Experience: Hoosier Salon

  • When: Aug. 3 – Oct. 14
  • Price: Included with admission.
  • What: Now in its 94th year, the annual Hoosier Salon returns to the Indiana State Museum this summer and fall. The juried exhibition of recent art by Indiana’s best artists will be on display from Aug. 3 to Oct. 14, and the art will be available for purchase. The Hoosier Salon is a statewide nonprofit artist-service organization based in Indianapolis, with galleries in Carmel and New Harmony.

 

NEW ISM Program: Small Wonders

  • When: 10 to 11 a.m., June 13, 16; July 18, 21; Aug. 15, 18
  • Price: $9/members, $12/non-members
  • What: Small Wonders invites parents, grandparents and caregivers to bring their 3- to 5-year-olds to learn, play and discover in the museum.  Our monthly program will build your child’s sense of wonder and playfulness as they engage in storytelling, hands-on activities, music, movement, art and gallery exploration. This class is for 3- to 5-year-olds and an adult.

 

NEW ISM Program: Young Explorers

  • When: 1 to 2:30 p.m., June 16; July 21; Aug. 18
  • Price: $10/members, $13/non-members
  • What: Be a big kid and join us for these 90 minute drop-off classes that encourage creativity, exploration, and independence in an environment that fosters curiosity and imagination. Themes include “Sensing the World Around Me,” “Bees & Bugs,” and “Backyard Animals.” This class is for 4- to 6-year-olds.

 

NEW ISM Program: Exploring Abstraction with art therapist Lauren King

  • When: 1 to 3 p.m., July 15
  • Price: $20/member, $25/non-member
  • What: Explore the artwork of Lois Main Templeton, how it relates to your own lives and how it can be used as a method of self-expression. Participants will engage with the artwork on display visually, verbally, and through their own art responses. The first portion of the workshop will be in the gallery space examining artwork, followed by artmaking and discussion led by an art therapist. Each participant will create their own art response using line, shape and color to express emotion.

 

NEW ISM Event: Building Indiana

  • When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., July 14
  • Price: Free for members, included with admission
  • What: This family-friendly event encourages a child’s passion for construction, a fascination with building things and taking things apart, and an interest in structures, big and tall. Budding architects, builders and engineers will test their hand at design and engineering challenges, learn from local experts and hear how they turned their hobbies and passion into a career, and even investigate construction trucks up close. More info to follow.

 

Corydon Capitol State Historic Site: Murder Mystery Dinner

  • When: 6 to 9 p.m., Aug. 18
  • Price: $25/person, includes dinner; for those ages 15+
  • What: Join us for a killer time at our popular murder mystery. Each guest is given a character involved in the mystery. This is an interactive mystery but there are no speeches to give or lines to memorize. Dinner is a full-course meal following this year’s theme, Ancient Rome. Reservations are required and sell out quickly. To make reservations, call 812-738-4890.

 

Culbertson Mansion State Historic Site: Clue Party

  • When: July 28, in the evening
  • Price: $30/person, reservations required by calling 812-944-9600
  • What: Was it Colonel Mustard in the library? Or Mr. Culbertson in the Blue Room? Can you figure out the real-life game of Clue? Make your way through the Culbertson Mansion and find the hidden clues to reveal who-done-it, where, and why. Costumes are HIGHLY encouraged. This costume party hosts light hors d’oeuvres and batch cocktails associated with the film, which will also play during the event. Prizes will be given for solving the mystery and for best costume.

 

Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site: An Evening in Gene’s Gardens

  • When: 8 to 10 p.m., June 9
  • Price: $35, for adults 21+
  • What: Enjoy an elegant evening in Gene’s “Tame” garden with luminaries providing atmosphere under the light of a full moon. The “Tame” garden is home to hundreds of species of plants – many planted by Gene herself! Live music, wine tasting and white chocolate-dipped strawberries will add to the romance of the evening.

 

Canal Nights at Indiana State Museum

Lanier Mansion State Historic Site: Music at the Mansion

  • When: 7 to 9 p.m., June 9; July 14; Aug. 11; and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Sept. 8.
  • Price: Free
  • What: Enjoy free summer nights of music outside of the beautiful Lanier Mansion. Bring a blanket or chairs and pack a picnic to enjoy while taking in the sounds of different bands in a gorgeous location. Bands will include the Sycamore Community Band, Juggernaut Jug Band, Lick Creek Band, and Small Time Napoleon.

 

Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site: Inside the Levi & Catharine Coffin House: A Poetry Workshop

  • When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., August 25
  • Price: $10/adult, $8/senior (site admission); reservations are required and can be made by calling 765-847-1691.
  • What: Join Indiana poet Shari Wagner for a special one day poetry workshop at the Levi & Catharine Coffin State Historic Site. This workshop for adults allows participants to express their reactions to the Coffin story through poetry. Learn about poetry prompts and models, along with gaining tools for collaborative and individual writing exercises. As part of the workshop, participants will tour both the Coffin Interpretive Center and the 1839 Coffin home. This event is supported by the Indiana Arts Commission.

 

Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site: Meet the Author Talk and Tour with Randall Wisehart

  • When: 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., July 21
  • Price: $12/adults; $10/seniors; $7/youth
  • What: Join Richmond, Indiana, author Randall Wisehart for a special guided tour of the Levi & Catharine Coffin house in Fountain City. The site is celebrating the re-release of his young adult novel Luke’s Summer Secret. While on a guided tour of the Coffin house, Wisehart will talk about how the house and the Coffin story are used in his novel. Tour participants will also learn how the Coffin home was used as a safe place for freedom seekers, or runaway slaves, on their journey through Indiana.

 

Limberlost State Historic Site: Independence Day “Birds of Prey” Program

  • When: 2 to 3 p.m., July 4
  • Price: Free (donations encouraged)
  • What: Come to the Limberlost State Historic Site to celebrate America’s birthday with a bird of prey program. The presentation will include a live bald eagle, hawk and owl.  A PowerPoint presentation about the bald eagle will be offered in the visitor center classroom.

 

New Harmony State Historic Site: Say’s Firefly Party

  • When: Evening (specific time TBD), July 2
  • Price: Free
  • What: Join a party to celebrate the designation of Say’s Firefly as Indiana’s official state insect. New Harmony scientist Thomas Say first discovered and described this type of firefly in the 1820s. The party will take place in the evening so visitors can watch the beautiful flickering of the fireflies.

 

Vincennes State Historic Sites: Indiana Frontier Day

  • When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Aug. 18
  • Price: $5/adult, $2/youth under 12
  • What: Experience life during the time of the Indiana Frontier. This interactive program at the site of Fort Knox II will give visitors the chance to learn about different aspects of life, work, and play during the early 1800s. Special events throughout the day – including a Tecumseh-Harrison debate, a kids militia, weapons demonstrations, a duel, and a dance – will take place throughout the day as well.

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5 Reasons to Head to Conner Prairie This Summer

5 Reasons to Head to Conner Prairie This Summer- This summer Conner Prairie has added a few new attractions to their large list of fun! Here is the low down for what’s opened for exploring this summer at Conner Prairie. Be sure to add Symphony on the Prairie to your summer bucket list. It’s one of our family’s favorite summer time traditions! Check out their Fun Guide here.

Summer Fun for Everyone at Conner Prairie
Photo credit: Conner Prairie

5 Reasons to Visit Conner Prairie This Summer

Make a Splash: Reimagined River Crossing

Make a splash at our revitalized River Crossing play area.
We have reimagined our popular water playscape to
take families on a river journey. Try your hand at our new
fishing activity, then journey under a covered bridge that
leads you outdoors to find the Alice Dean at the dock
in town. You can pretend to be her captain or help load
cargo to prepare for your own riverboat trip. Favorites
like the trains, climbing structure and water play will remain with fun new
activities and improvements. Our new River Crossing experience also includes
features to make visiting a breeze for families, like a more accessible entrance
and large storage cubbies for bags and towels.

Get Back to Nature: New! River Lookout and
Treetop Classroom

Experience the outdoors at Conner Prairie in our new
nature experience areas. The River Lookout will provide an
incredible view, and give you access to rarely seen sights
on our property. The lookout will not only be a place to
visit nature’s beauty, but will also highlight the history
and ecology of the waterway with interpretive signage.
In addition, the Treetop Classroom will be nestled in the
woods near Treetop Outpost. This 50-seat site will feature a covered, raised
stage for nature chats, performances, and storytelling that highlight the richness
of the natural world around us.

Summer Fun for Everyone at Conner Prairie
Photo credit: Conner Prairie

Have an Adventure: SUMMER DAY CAMPS

8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
$250 week non-member, $220 week member
Early arrival and late departure options available for additional fee
Reservations are required. Register online at
connerprairie.org or by calling 317-776-6000.
• Adventure Camp (ages 5–15) May 29–Aug. 3, weekly
• Specialty camps are sold out. If you are interested in
being placed on a wait list, contact Guest Services at
317-776-6000.

Take Flight: NEW! Thursday Night Balloon Voyages

5:30–10 p.m. Thursdays, June 7–August 23
$17 non-member, $13 member
Weather permitting. Check connerprairie.org for balloon status.
Step into the gondola of our tethered balloon and see
Conner Prairie from a new perspective! You’ll be lifted
more than 370 feet into the air as the sun sets over the
prairie and be treated to unique views of our 1,000 acres.
Enjoy light refreshments or a glass of wine. Ticket provides
access to 1859 Balloon Voyage only; outdoor experience
areas will not be open.

Enjoy a Concert: Kroger Symphony on the Prairie

Select dates, June–September
Visit indianapolissymphony.org or call 317-639-43000 for tickets, schedule
and information.
Experience the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and
many other musical guests each weekend at the Conner
Prairie Amphitheatre. It’s the perfect place to meet friends,
family and even large groups for a fun night out.
Bring your own food and drinks or purchase concessions
on site. Buy a table by the stage or bring your blanket for
the lawn. Take flight in the 1859 Balloon Voyage and hear
the amazing sounds of the symphony from more than
370 feet up in the air! Balloon hours are 6–10 p.m., and flights are weather
dependent. Balloon tickets sold on-site for $22/non-member and $17/Conner
Prairie member.

Summer Fun for Everyone at Conner Prairie

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Check out what's ahead for this summer at Conner Prairie

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Free Family Fun at Canal Nights in Indianapolis

Free Family Fun at Canal Nights in Indianapolis- Free, family-friendly fun returns to the Indiana State Museum and Eiteljorg Museum beginning June 6 during Canal Nights and the Summer Under the Sails concert series. Both events are free and open to the public, and they take place on Wednesday evenings throughout the summer along the Downtown Canal outside the museums.

Free Family Fun at canal-nights-Indiana-State-Museum
(photo credit)

Free summer fun kicks off June 6 at Indiana State Museum and Eiteljorg Museum

The Indiana State Museum’s Canal Nights take place outside the museum’s canal entrance from 6 – 8 p.m. and will feature a variety of topics, from nature play and game nights, to STEAM or Build It! nights. The programming is all free to the public. Before Canal Nights, visitors are invited to see the newest experiences, “Frozen Reign,” “First Nations,” and “The R.B. Annis Naturalist’s Lab” – all included with general admission and open until 5 p.m.

The Eiteljorg Museum’s Summer Under the Sails concert series returns every Wednesday evening from 6 – 8 p.m. in June and July, as well as August 1. Enjoy food, drink, activities and free live music in the Eiteljorg Museum gardens along the Downtown Canal. Admission to the museum is also free these evenings from 5 to 8 p.m. Inside the museum, see the blockbuster exhibit on Hollywood movie and TV Westerns, The Reel West.

Canal Nights

The dates, themes and concerts for the different nights are as follows:

June 6

Indiana State Museum – STEAM Night: Explore the relationship between science and art and everything in between with hands-on activities, engineering challenges and games.
Eiteljorg Museum concert: The Tillers (String Band, Americana, Bluegrass)

June 13

Indiana State Museum – Nature Play Day: Come play with natural materials, stroll through the Watanabe Gardens, and discover the wonders of nature in our very own backyard.
Eiteljorg Museum concert: Tim Brickley & The List (60s and 70s hits)

June 20

Eiteljorg Museum concert: Emily Ann Thomspon (Jazz)

June 27

Indiana State Museum – Build It!: How high can you build it? Or how fast can you knock it down? Try building, making and constructing at Build It! Night.
Eiteljorg Museum concert: Soundz of Santana (Carlos Santana Tribute)

July 4

Indiana State Museum – Boom and Sparkle: Enjoy art and science programming inspired by fireworks.
Eiteljorg Museum concert: Heartstone Crossing (Popular Music Covers)

July 11

Indiana State Museum – Water Science: Cool off with science experiments and activities all about water.
Eiteljorg Museum concert: My Yellow Rickshaw (Popular Music Covers)

July 18

Indiana State Museum – Game Night + Member Night: Join us for fun games and activities for the whole family. Work together as a team or bring out your competitive side at Game Night.
Eiteljorg Museum concert: Pavel & Direct Contact (Latin Music)

July 25

Indiana State Museum – Jump, Skip and Play: Explore fun ways to get moving with games, activities and challenges.
Eiteljorg Museum concert: Tad Robinson (Blues)

Aug 1

Eiteljorg Museum concert: il Troubadore (Sci-Fi and World Music)

eiteljorg-museum-summer-under-the-sails(photo credit)

For a full listing of programming at the Indiana State Museum, visit indianamuseum.org. For more information about the Eiteljorg Museum’s concert series, visit Eiteljorg.org.

# # #

The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites is located in White River State Park in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. It is Indiana’s museum for science, art and culture, offering a place where you can celebrate, investigate, remember, learn and take pride in Indiana’s story in the context of the broader world. Even the building is a showcase of the best Indiana has to offer in architecture, materials and sculpture. Easy and convenient parking is available in the attached underground garage.

The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in White River State Park in downtown Indianapolis seeks to inspire an appreciation and understanding of the art, history and cultures of the American West and the Indigenous peoples of North America. Located on the Central Canal at 500 West Washington St., the Eiteljorg Museum recently was named one of the USA Today Readers’ Choice 10 Best Indiana Attractions.

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Kids and Art Galleries| It’s Fun!

Have you ever taken you toddler somewhere to later think ‘Why did I think that was a good idea?!’ I’ve seen parents frustrated at the art museum several times and I thought I’d give a few tips I’ve learned from past visits. One might think kids and art galleries do not go hand in hand but the earlier they are exposed to art and knowing how to explore in a museum setting, the better. There are a few tricks I’ve picked up over the years that make a trip to the museum more fun for everyone.

Taking your kids to an art museum is easy. 5 tips to make it fun!

5 Steps for a Stress-less Art Gallery Trip with Kids

1. Snacks. Food is and should always be top priority when going on any outing with a child of any age. You should either know what food options are provided at  your destination or bring along snacks. Many galleries have food options but they can get pricey so we always bring a backpack with a lunch and a refillable water bottle. A simple lunch like pbj, grapes and carrots that you know will be eaten by your picky toddler is perfect.

2. Patience. I’ve recently been working on a technique that has helped increase my patience with my four year old. I’m patient in rushed situations and when accidents happen but I am quick to anger when it comes to ungratefulness and whining. Allie Casazza has a podcast episode entitled Positive Words for Your Children. In this episode she explains the benefits of using positive, encouraging words and affirmations with your children during times of struggle and ease. I notice myself being much more patient and gracious to my daughter after using these affirmations for only a few days.

3. A goal/game. My sister gave me the tip of making your trip a scavenger hunt. You can tailor your hunt according to your children’s ages. For example, if you’re taking a 2-3 year old, have them find a certain shape, color or object (boat) in the art. For children 4-6 have them look for dancing figures or a specific art technique (impressionists or pointillist). Bring along a notepad and crayons for your child to re-create what they see in a favorite piece and take note of their favorites to hang in their room.

Taking your kids to an art museum is easy. 5 tips to make it fun!

4. Time. Give yourself plenty of time surrounding the entire event. Make sure you’re not rushed getting there, which would set a rushed mood during the museum. Give your kids all the time they want to look at a particular piece. If they’re rushing through without giving it as much interest as you, guide them to something you know they’ll like or stop for a snack/art project to switch gears.

5. Consider a membership. There are various types of art museums or ways you can find art in a non-art museum. Our Children’s Museum has tons of art so you could also work in an art lesson while visiting a history, science or children’s museum. The benefit of having a membership is to put less pressure on having a perfect experience. Kids (and adults) have off days. There are times when we’re all excited to go somewhere, have been looking forward to it all week, and when the time comes there’s little room for enthusiasm. Check to see which museums provide multiple day adventures. The Art Museum in Indianapolis has several venues within that are all great for different reasons. With gardens, playgrounds and the traditional indoor museum, various avenues of art can be discovered.

Taking your kids to an art museum is easy. 5 tips to make it fun!

For more information on North-Side art museums, check out this article: Indianapolis-North Side-Hamilton County.

Making Creativity the Norm for Kids

Tie Dye With Your Toddler

One might think kids and art galleries do not go hand in hand but the earlier they are exposed to art and knowing how to explore in a museum setting, the better.

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The Queen Reins at Medieval Times

Let the tournament begin! There’s a new Queen in charge at the Medieval Times in Chicagoland!

Our first stop on our ‘One Tank Trip’ this year was Medieval Times in Schaumburg, IL. Medieval Times was gracious enough to host us when we’d told them how excited we were to see the new queen in charge at their location. We’ve been subtly (and not so subtly) pointing out women in leadership roles to Sophia and knew this would also be a fun family outing to kick off Spring! We love Medieval Times (we even went for one of our anniversaries)!

Medieval Times in Chicago has a new Queen in charge! Great family trip for any vacation at any of their 9 locations. #hosted

Family Fun at Medieval Times

When you go, I highly suggest upgrading to VIP status. It allows you to sit in preferred front row seating and you get a snazzy cheering banner for your knight. We had an amazingly close up view of all the knights and horses and had special preference over the rest of the cheering section. Let’s just say a four year old little girl has her first crush on the Blue Knight after receiving a yellow flower (“He kissed it Mommy!”) and a sash marking her as the Blue Knight’s Queen of the Tournament. It was definitely the highlight of our trip! You’re also able to pay a couple dollars extra per person for a tour of the dungeons before the show begins but it is not suggested for children (or weak stomachs like mine). Before the show we did get a chance to buy a Queen’s crown for Sophia and stop by to see the horses while they were having a snack. You also have the opportunity before and after the show to get family portraits with members of the tournament or to be knighted by the Queen herself.

Besides the thrill of knights jousting on horses and a hawk flying just inches over your head, you’ll be surprised by the quality of the feast for dinner. With an appetizer of Dragon’s Blood (tomato soup) to start you off, you quickly see a theme of eating a meal of various parts of a dragon (with no utensils)! The serving wenches are incredibly helpful and are as much a part of the show as the men and women in the tournament.

Medieval Times in Chicago has a new Queen in charge! Great family trip for any vacation at any of their 9 locations. #hosted

Medieval Times in Chicago has a new Queen in charge! Great family trip for any vacation at any of their 9 locations. #hosted

Medieval Times in Chicago has a new Queen in charge! Great family trip for any vacation at any of their 9 locations. #hosted

Medieval Times in Chicago has a new Queen in charge! Great family trip for any vacation at any of their 9 locations. #hosted

Medieval Times in Chicago has a new Queen in charge! Great family trip for any vacation at any of their 9 locations. #hosted

What’s Happening at Medieval Times

In a major break from Medieval Times’ 34-year tradition of casting a king in the show’s lead role, the company has revealed that a queen is now in charge and sole ruler of the land. She is cast as a firm but kind ruler respected throughout the kingdom who inherited the throne at the passing of her father, the previous king.

“Where previously our female characters played in more supportive roles, we are now showing a woman fully in charge, a woman whose authority is sometimes challenged, but she quickly rises to the occasion as a strong leader, squelching opposition,” says Leigh Cordner, Medieval Times show director.


Medieval Times in Chicago has a new Queen in charge! Great family trip for any vacation at any of their 9 locations. #hosted

Medieval Times in Chicago has a new Queen in charge! Great family trip for any vacation at any of their 9 locations. #hosted

Jousting, fighting, horsemanship, swordplay and a fresh, hot, four-course feast remain central elements of the dinner attraction. With the cast and script change come a series of other significant changes to the show:

  • More than 700 new costumes for all nine castles’ performers including horses, all of which are custom-designed and hand-made at a dedicated costume shop near Dallas Design District.
  • 200 new suits of armor, shields, and helmets, all of which are custom-designed and hand-made at a dedicated armory in Florida.
  • More than 350 team members and 225 horses train and rehearse new lines and fight scenes for three months while still presenting the current show.
  • It takes two months to teach a queen to ride an Andalusian stallion.
  • New music was composed by Dr. Daniel May, composer and jazz pianist who scored “Everest” and other films and who worked with Sting, The Moody Blues and others. He directed and recorded Medieval Times’ new show composition in Kiev with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine. He directed the choir in Ukraine with lyrics written by poet and choir member Solomia Gorokhivska, and a solo cellist and violin player from Pittsburgh.
  • The audience experiences a live action film score that is precisely synchronized with every element of the show, from lights to fights; jousts to jabs; the Queen’s entry to curtain closings; and more.
  • The sound and light team spends 120 hours programming 300 new music cues and 500 new lighting cues.

For more information on showtimes and locations head to Medieval Times website and snag your VIP tickets today! Better yet, I’m giving away a family four pack on my Instagram. Head over to my profile for a chance to win!

Medieval Times in Chicago has a new Queen in charge! Great family trip for any vacation at any of their 9 locations. #hosted

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