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America's 250th

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • Date

    Jan 19
  • Time

    10 am – 5 pm
  • Ages

    All Ages
  • Admission

    Free

Visiting the State Museum

Enjoy free museum admission as we honor the legacy and contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.!

Multicultural performances, a community mural, video highlights of King’s most iconic speeches and hands-on collaborative activities will help attendees connect with themes like service and community that were central to King’s teachings. MLK Day will also kick off the museum’s year-long celebration of America’s 250th birthday, with special activities that focus on the stories and objects of Hoosiers who pursued freedom and inspired change.

Visitors can get a rare glimpse of original copies of the Emancipation Proclamation and 13th Amendment signed by President Abraham Lincoln. Our curator of social history will be available to chat with guests and offer an up-close look at objects from the museum system’s collection. Plus, the museum’s galleries will be open, including the Nikon Small World photomicrography exhibit.

Performances featuring dancers, musical artists and more will take place throughout the day in the great hall. In the L.S. Ayres Tea Room™, visitors can take part in a unique community conversation with Alpha Blackburn, a former model and designer whose fashions were featured in stores, including L.S Ayres, under her own Alpha Originals label. The community conversation will be first-come, first-served, with the Tea Room Doors opening at 2 p.m.

Visitors are encouraged to donate to Gleaners Food Bank at wrsp.in/gleaners-ism. Free parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis in the White River State Park garage.

Ticketing Info

This event is free, and pre-registration is not required.

Take advantage of a limited-time membership discount. Information and purchase will be available at the check-in counter.

Visiting a State Historic Site

All open state historic sites are offering free admission on Monday, Jan. 19.* If you’re planning a visit, please reach out to the site in advance regarding available tour times and special programs offered that day.

Angel Mounds | Corydon Capitol | Culbertson Mansion | Lanier Mansion | Levi and Catharine Coffin | Limberlost | New Harmony | T.C. Steele | Vincennes

*Gene Stratton-Porter and Whitewater Canal State Historic Sites are not open this time of year.

This free admission day is sponsored by the Lacy Foundation.

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