It’s a wonderful time to gather family and visit one of the businesses in the Indianapolis area who honor Dr. King with free admission. Many of the locations offer MLK Jr. activities to learn more about his accomplishments as well as offer their other exhibits free to check out.
INDIANA STATE MUSEUM and HISTORIC SITES
The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites will offer free admission at its locations statewide in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
In Indianapolis, admission will be free for all visitors, with donation of a canned food item to Gleaner’s Food Bank strongly encouraged. Special activities will be offered at the Indiana State Museum in Indianapolis to commemorate the holiday, and visitors will also have access to all of the museum’s experiences, including Cardboard Engineering, Frozen Reign and the museum’s other galleries.
At the museum’s other locations, admission will be free for visitors to enjoy the everyday experience at the historic sites, but no canned goods will be collected.
Please note, Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site, New Harmony State Historic Site and Whitewater Canal State Historic Site have seasonal hours and are currently closed.
WHAT: At the Indiana State Museum, celebrate Dr. King’s dream and explore the struggle for civil rights. Watch videos highlighting Dr. King’s most iconic speeches, write thank-you notes to Dr. King, create your own protest poster inspired by issues you care about, or explore what you’d be willing to march for by tracing your shoe and adding your own footprint to our “march.” Plus, share your hopes for the future on our dream mural and reflect on how you see different people from society – and how they might see you, too.
WHEN: Jan. 21, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE: Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington, St., Indianapolis
PRICE: Free with donation of a canned good item
CONNER PRAIRIE
Join us for a day of activities that illustrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s vision of what could be accomplished through non-violent protest. We’ll look back through history as well as asking you how you would protest an injustice.
Events and Activities
Freedom Summer: 1964
Anything Can Happen Theater will be an additional activity in Woodland North. Using a box of props, interpreters will periodically lead younger guests in imaginative play.
11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. in Lilly Theater (15 minutes)
Mr. Daniel’s Music
Conner Prairie welcomes back Mr. Daniel, a local favorite, for classic songs of protest from the 1960s to contemporary.
11:30 a.m., 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. in Lilly Theater (20 minutes)
Willa Brown, Aviatix
Willa Brown started her career as a teacher after attending Indiana State Teachers College. Looking for greater challenges, she went on to become the first African-American woman to become a licensed pilot and the first woman in the US to be both a licensed pilot and mechanic. She went on to train some of the Tuskegee Airmen, along with running for Congress and working as an activist.
10:30 a.m., 12:30, 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. in Create.Connect (15 minutes)
Ongoing Throughout the Day
Family Board Games – in Delaware classroom
Imagination Playground – in Woodland North activity hall
Archaeology: Black, White or Both – Can you tell which artifacts might have come from a historic African American community, a White community or would have appeared in either community? – outside Lilly Theater
Tree of Dreams – In one of his most famous speeches, MLK told of his dreams for the future. Share your dreams for the future. – downstairs, near the elevator
Gallery of Non-violent Protest, Past and Present – outside Discovery Station
How would you protest injustice?
Draw a picture, write a poem, share with others what you would do to protest an injustice. – outside Discovery Station
Craft Corner – Help with a collaborative art project.
Food & Beverage – in Overlook activity hall
Indianapolis Zoo
Although the Zoo is usually closed on Mondays in January, they open to celebrate the remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King. The ‘hardier’ animals as the Zoo says will be outside for anyone braving the weather, and in keeping with other White River State Park properties, FREE admission will be granted to anyone with a donation of a non-perishable food item for Gleaners Food Bank.
Date/Time: Monday, January 21 at opening
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
The museum opens its doors with FREE admission to all children and families to celebrate the life, achievements, and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
- Listen to storyteller Portia Jackson speak about courageous children from the Civil Rights Movement
- Enjoy music from The Griot Drum Ensemble
Let freedom ring!
Visit Tips
- FREE admission is from 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; special activities end at 3 p.m.
- There will be extra lunch seating in the Sack Lunch area located on Level 1.
- Learn more about parking at the museum on our Parking Tips page.
- Make the most of your day by reviewing the rest of our Visit Tips.
EITELJORG MUSEUM
Admission to the Eiteljorg Museum and other White River State Park WRSP venues is FREE on Martin Luther King Day, Monday, January 21, with the donation of a non-perishable food item to Gleaners Food Bank. FREE admission. Guests will enjoy a last chance to see the amazing model train exhibit, Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure, plus a fun-filled time in R.B. Annis Western Family Experience and the opportunity to enjoy a delicious Western flare meal in the Eiteljorg Museum Cafe.
Date/Time: Monday, January 21. 10am-5pm
NEWFIELDS: Speaking of Love
Celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the Newfields campus. Immerse yourself in experiences presented by youth of Tan-Za-Mania Dance Company, Indy Pulse poets and the Teen Arts Council. See a debut performance of excerpts from Village Voices: Notes from the Griot, directed by Indy native Joshua Allen Thompson. Requested donation items include canned goods, personal care items and art supplies.
Date/Time: Monday, January 21 1-4 Free with donation to MLK Community Center
INDIANA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
In celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy, enjoy programs, service activities and free admission to the Indiana Experience. Dr. King once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’” Each year, Americans across the country answer that question by coming together on this day to serve their neighbors and communities. Join us on this National Day of Service to learn more about homelessness in our community, and lend a hand with our projects.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Madam Walker Legacy Center | 10 a.m. to noon
Join the Madam Walker Legacy Center for their MLK Day of Celebration festivities at the History Center as the Walker Theatre undergoes an exciting renovation.
Collecting and Storytelling of the Civil Rights Movement | 12:45 p.m.
Feel free to bring your own civil rights mementos and participate in a discussion with IHS Coordinator of African-American History Susan L. Hall-Dotson about the importance of sharing and preserving your memories of the civil rights movement.
Griot Drum Ensemble | 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.
Enjoy high-energy African-influenced drumming, dance and storytelling at its best. Hear wonderful African folktales accompanied by mellow traditional instruments. Participate in the music and learn about traditional African instruments.
First Aid Kit Packing | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Join us as we pack care packages to benefit the HealthNet Homeless Initiative.
Write a Letter | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Write an encouraging letter or draw a picture for someone experiencing homelessness.
Make Your Own Activism Poster | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Learn about current causes to engage in and organizations that have stood up to fight throughout history.
Homelessness Talk | 2:30 and 4:30 p.m.
Join the HealthNet Homeless Initiative Program to find out more about what causes homelessness in our city and what you can do to help.
Local Speech, Global Reach | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Take in a traveling exhibit to honor the 50th anniversary of King’s death and Kennedy’s speech created by IHS and the Kennedy King Memorial Initiative.
Library Case Exhibits | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Take a look at items relating to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement from the IHS collections and items from the Madam C.J. Walker Collection.
In partnership with Madam Walker Legacy Center