If you look around downtown Indy long enough, you are bound to find one of the "Public Collection"…read moreinstallations. Both public art and lending library (or book share), the installations have books that you are free to borrow while offered within a unique piece of art. This new installation (2019) was created by a pair of artists who have numerous art collaborations around central Indiana: Quincy Owens and Luke Crawley. The installation is seven feet tall and 10' x 8' wide. It is made from aluminum or stainless steel (the sign states both), acrylic, vinyl, with LED components. According to the sign, the horizontal bands pay homage to the Athenaeum which the installation is next to. Once you step inside, you may get a sense of a cage-like structure which is meant to reflect the experience of immigrants who may have difficulty assimilating due to language barriers. But with the wide opening to the installation and numerous books, it is hoped that language and knowledge can help those who feel trapped. I haven't been here at night, but the LED components light up acrylic panels with a quote by Aberjhani: "There is no envy, jealousy, or hatred between the different colors of the rainbow. And no fear either. Because each one exists to make the others' love more beautiful." Review #2945

The Teeny Statue of Liberty Museum is attached to Tim & Company's Another Fine Mess. I accessed it…read moreby visiting this shop and coming in through the back, but the museum also has its own entrance. The sign outside of the museum says that admission is 50 cents. As far as I know, if you try to enter through the front, the front door is locked, so you'll have to go through Tim & Company's Another Fine Mess anyway. Or you can try to call and arrange a tour. This truly is a teeny museum full of Statue of Liberty stuff! You'll see everything from snow globes to statues to posters to drinking glasses to salt shakers to stuffed animals to clothing all emblazoned with the Statue of Liberty. It's a lotta stuff crammed in a tiny room -- around 650 individual items in a 10' by 16' space. This isn't a "learnin'" museum, in that there isn't much information available about the Statue of Liberty or why all of these artifacts are together in this room. But it's a fascinating museum to visit anyway, because when are you literally surrounded by so many Statues of Liberty? And in such a small room? This is a unique museum in Indianapolis for sure, and quite a hidden gem.

Four stars for this postage stamp sized museum. This place is smaller than your bedroom. It's…read moreprobably the same size as the cubicle you work from in your office. But it's jam packed with more Statues of Liberty than you've seen in one place, with maybe the exception of the gift shop at the Statue of Liberty https://www.yelp.com/biz/statue-of-liberty-new-york-3?hrid=veIzZZ00bJOV6PjEGnFvOg. Not the first Statue of Liberty I've encountered in my travels. There's one in Tokyo https://www.yelp.com/biz/自由の女神像-港区?hrid=Vj_T_TPmTfDT50wMPBeapg and one in Austin https://www.yelp.com/biz/replica-statue-of-liberty-monument-austin?hrid=pKx0eQ3OKTCYvQNCrCAQnA and Las Vegas https://www.yelp.com/biz/paris-las-vegas-las-vegas-6?hrid=-ZgFf6RjqbEsWcaCFDnw0g. Because who doesn't love "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore." [Review 13509 overall, 828 of 2020.]

For those looking for the Museum at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument (middle of Monument Circle)…read moreto find this museum, you are looking in the wrong place. Back in 2018, the collection was moved to the Indiana World War Monument (431 N Meridian) to provide more display space and to do repair work under the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. As of the time of this review, the collection has been moved for over a year and my thoughts are part of the review listed on that location. According to the staff working in the Soldiers and Sailors gift shop (located on the south side of the monument at the top of the steps), something new will occupy the space under the monument once repairs have been completed. It has not been released what will go in the space. Review #2581

How are there not more reviews of this place? Do you not know it is here? Read my review and then…read moreget your butt over there! This is a FREE MUSEUM, so that alone bumped up the stars to at least four. Add in the fact that the museum is Indiana-centric, in the basement of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, is dark and super creepy, has really cool artifacts including a chunk of tree trunk with a cannon ball stuck in it that soldiers cut from Gettysburg and brought back here, how could I not give it five stars?!?! - It's free, but don't be a jerk - donate a couple bucks. - You won't need much time. If you only skim the exhibits, you will be out in five minutes. Read every card and you might be there an hour. - Did I mention, please donate to this lovely free museum? - Read the medical treatment cards and be so grateful we live in a time of modern medicine. - Can't figure out where to get in? The entrance is on the southwest side of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument (Monument Circle).

In addition to "Fissure", the Public Collection commissioned another public art/lending library in…read more2019. "The Mind Sails" is a two-piece installation at Dr Martin Luther King Jr Park on the Old Northside. Using foam, fiberglass and plexiglass, artist Atsu Kpotufe created two sail shaped images jutting from underground. The large sail houses a lending library of books that are free to borrow for park visitors. The smaller sail has a built in bench for visitors to relax on. The artist has a plaque that tells about his influences and thoughts while making the installation that sits on a space that is roughly 30' x 30'. Basically, the artist feels that most Americans have relied upon sailing to this country, whether voluntary or not, at some point in their family history making us a land of immigrants. You can read more of the artist's thoughts on the plaque next to the installation. I would have liked to see a little more space devoted to holding books as the actual lending library is rather small and limited in offerings. Review #2950

What an amazing venue for a private event! I attended a…read morefundraiser for Storytelling Arts of Indiana on April 11, 2026. The Basile Theatre has wonderful sound and acoustics. The entry area had plenty of room for the crowd of 100+ plus food tables, a bar with drinks, and a merchandise table. The private parking lot is also a plus. The entry to many events, like the fundraiser includes parking.

My wife and I visited here on January 3rd. We didn't know it was the last day of the Festival of…read moreTrees, but that made for a pleasant surprise as we toured the building and saw all the different trees. Along the way, we also learned about the Interurban train line, Hoosiers in the Vietnam War, and Hoosiers who resisted the Klan through the exhibits on display. We had a lovely time touring the museum and enjoying both the architecture and the history. Unfortunately, we encountered a great deal of trouble when we went to leave. The person leaving who was two cars ahead of us got their credit card jammed in the gate. It appears that their card paid for the next person in line, but then the reader stopped accepting tickets. The mechanism rejected my parking ticket and required me to pay $25 for a "lost ticket" fee in order to leave. There was already a line of cars trying to get out and the woman whose credit card was jammed was standing in the way of the machine. I walked back into the museum and spoke to someone at the ticket booth who took down my information as well as the ticket and receipt, but this all runs contrary to the museum's promise on their website that they offer free parking. I've tried numerous times to contact the museum for a refund. I was even assured on January 6th that one was forthcoming, but the museum never processed it and will no longer respond to me. I am an ardent supporter of museums and of studying history, but the Indiana Historical Society's unwillingness to correct the errors of their own infrastructure - errors that line their pockets - do a disservice to the passionate work of the docents who presented the history within the building itself.

While browsing through the upcoming Events tab of Yelp, I noticed an exhibition of Dr Seuss artwork…read morefeatured at CV Art and Framing in Zionsville that would be on display from 11/22 thru 12/8. The exhibition is free and open whenever the shop is open. So, I decided to stop by. It was my first time in the art gallery which has two entrance doors. I chose the one on the right and entered into the Seuss Collection. There are several plaques mounted with information about Dr Seuss, his art, and the private family drawings that were included in this traveling show. There were several rooms set aside for the exhibit while the remainder of the gallery maintained the art that was featured everyday. The first room had a number of sketches. The next had a collection of paintings and 3D figures mounted on the wall that had that unique style of composite animals that the artist was known for. The third area had more paintings, but they were somewhat different in style with more landscapes than characters. The tour is self guided. I wandered through and though I could see two staff talking at a table, neither said anything to me as I wandered the gallery. Seems like they were too caught up in their chat to welcome a first time visitor. Oh well. If you or your kids are fans of Dr Seuss, hurry over to the exhibit which ends on Sunday. Even if you barely read any of the books (I'm in that group), it is still interesting to see the imagination of one man create a stylized world of figures that appeal to children in a way that uses art to make reading fun. Review #3378

Recently, I visited the town of Mooresville, which sits 12 miles southwest of Indianapolis…read more Mooresville was founded by Samuel Moore just over 200 years ago. Moore bought land for $2 acre between the forks of White Lick Creek and laid out plots in a (small) town system. In the center of the "town" he built a mercantile store, that he owned and operated. Instead of selling the plots, he gave the plots to people that he deemed as "desirable citizens" (according to the town website). The downtown area has maintained much of the charm of the original area established by Moore. A couple quaint shops stand in the early buildings constructed over 100 years ago. When I visited, I enjoyed walking through several shops. A small park, Bicentennial Park, exists in the very spot the Moore's mercantile store once stood. There is a stone marker indicating the location of the store. The town is known as the birthplace of the Indiana State Flag. Local artist, Paul Hadley, designed the winning entry for the State Banner in 1916. In 1955, the design was adapted for the State Flag. Today, the town is over 10,000 in population. South of town, are several shopping complexes with small town cafes, fast food spots and other shopping. The Mooresville High School stands about a mile north of downtown. The town erected large sculptures and welcome signs that celebrate the Bicentennial Anniversary of the town. Details of the town history are contained on the town's website. I found Mooresville an interesting place to visit with small town charm. It's the kind of place where the parking is free, the coffee is still poured from coffee pots and the people are friendly.

The Fortville library is a cozy spot you'll definitely want to come back to. If you come on your…read moreown, you'll be able to find a quiet spot to read, study, work, or browse for your next favorite book for sure. I personally spend most of my time in 2 places. The first is the kid area. There are hundreds of books and DVDs for your little ones to pick from. There is also a play area full of toys for hours of playing fun for the kids while you get into a good book! Second, I attend the monthly book clubs. Great chance to read books you might not have picked up otherwise and have some great discussions. Book Club meets the first Monday of every month. You can go to the library at anytime to pick up the month's book and there are bookmarks that show the books for the next couple months as well. Join the Facebook page or check out the library's website for weekly events and activities hosted at the library as well! I've attended a Halloween party with the kids at the library as well as Pinterest craft activity nights!

The most unfriendly library I have visited over the years. And I have visited a lot of them outside…read moreIndianapolis area. The staff will only acknowledge/greet if you are a local. There is only two staff members who speak to me. I use fortville library as a resource because they are close to where I live. I am part-time underpaid as well. As every other person is at most companies in today's economy. The only difference I do not take it out on the public!