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Museum Marvels

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We are the keepers not only of facts and objects, but also of stories. And it’s part of our mission to share these powerful stories with you — everything from history and artifacts to celebrating the work of our incredible volunteers and staff.

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Wonder and whimsy collide in our newest experience, Museum Marvels.

From tiny treasures to towering oddities, cuddly creatures to spine-tingling specimens, this is your chance to discover the most fascinating objects in the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites collection — all in one place.

Curious visitors of all ages can lean into the fun and excitement that comes with exploring art, history and the natural world through the more than 50 artifacts on display. Bring your sense of wonder – and a friend to say “Awww” (or “Ewww!”) with – to see what the hype is all about!

The Object Theater

Kick off your adventure with a burst of lights, music and motion in the Object Theater. With just a press of a button, you’ll meet eight standout artifacts brought to life through a playful, high-energy show that sets the stage for the marvels to come. It’s your backstage pass into the depth and wonder of our collection. Here is a sneak peek into what the show is about:

Get to Know the Artifacts

Explore 55 of the most fascinating artifacts in our collection, each a champion in its own right, like “The Cutest,” “The Oldest,” or “The Most Mysterious.” Groupings by color, emotion and theme spark fresh connections and invite deeper discovery. Which one will you find most marvelous?

Museum Marvels Game Show

Put your curiosity to the test in this interactive digital game! You’ll be given quirky descriptions like “Most Whimsical” or “Smallest Surprise” and be asked to guess the mystery object from the clues your game show host provides. It’s fast-paced, fun and full of delightful “aha!” moments.

Play a Card Game

Take a seat and challenge your crew in Artifacts to Artifacts, a quick-play card game where you match artifacts from our collection (that aren’t displayed in this experience) to categories that best fit. You will compete for the top score and find out who will be named the ultimate champion.

Before You Go!

As you’re admiring the artifacts, don’t forget to award your favorite object with a “Most Marvelous” ribbon and see what other visitors have chosen. It’s your chance to help crown the star of the show!

On your way out, grab a takeaway guide filled with silhouette clues leading you to more hidden wonders across the museum. Look for the Museum Marvel stickers to find even more champions of our collection. See if you can spot them all!