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GLOBAL INDIANA

Indiana's Influence on the World
Level 2
EXPERIENCE ONGOING
Global Indiana
Level 2
EXPERIENCE ONGOING

Emerging from the shadow of World War II

Global Indiana demonstrates Indiana’s influence on a global scale—from Hoosier-created objects that helped win World War II, to Ernie Pyle’s stories from the trenches that were read across the world. After the dark days of war, see pop culture and suburban lifestyle items emerge in the post-war economic boom.

Girls looking at case with artifacts
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    FIRST-HAND ACCOUNT

    Read an excerpt from an article Ernie Pyle wrote describing his experience in the World War II trenches, then see his actual typewriter and duffle bag

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    EYE SPY

    Share or hear a personal story about the items found on the giant pop-culture walls, including toys, sports equipment and kitchen tools. We bet you know a Hoosier who loved one or two of these!

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    EARLY INNOVATORS

    Find out how early automotive pioneers John Lambert and Elwood Haynes helped change the transportation world with their inventions. Explore the contrasts between their early cars and see the device that Sylvanus Bowser invented that we all still use today.

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    DRIVING FORWARD

    Stand next to another popular car—this one reflects a much different time! Compare the differences between this 1950 Studebaker Champion, an affordable family car, and the Stutz Safety Sedan found in Enterprise Indiana.

A LOOK AROUND GLOBAL INDIANA

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Vintage tractor
Vintage car
Couple looking at vintage car
Plane figurine
Racecar helmet
Heroes of WWII

The Voice of the American Soldier

With all of the literary firepower covering and supporting the war efforts (everyone from Ernest Hemingway to Pearl Buck), the most famous American writer during World War II was a soft-spoken journalist from Dana, Indiana, named Ernie Pyle. Traveling with American soldiers on the front lines in North Africa, Sicily, Italy and France, war correspondent Pyle wrote about what it was like to be an ordinary soldier during World War II. His beloved columns were published in more than 400 daily newspapers nationwide, read by millions and earned him a Pulitzer Prize in 1944.

Take a Tour: Hanes and Lambert Automobiles

See How Far Cars Have Traveled

Take a tour with Senior Curator of Science and Technology Damon Lowe as he tells the story of some of our most prized collection items.

  • Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site shares stories of the Coffins, freedom seekers

    Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site shares stories of the Coffins, freedom seekers

    Discover the secrets and stories of the many freedom seekers who stayed at the home during their journey on the Underground Railroad

  • Volunteer shares stories of her ancestor at Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site

    Volunteer shares stories of her ancestor at Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site

    Eileen Baker-Wall's great-great-grandfather William Bush arrived at this historic site on his own journey to freedom

  • Discover a masterpiece of Victorian artistry at Culbertson Mansion State Historic Site

    Discover a masterpiece of Victorian artistry at Culbertson Mansion State Historic Site

    Culbertson Mansion, which began construction in 1867 and took two years to complete is listed on the National Register of Historic Places

  • Fred the Mastodon moves to permanent home at the Indiana State Museum

    Fred the Mastodon moves to permanent home at the Indiana State Museum

    In 1998, Dan Buesching was about to smash the mass with the dragline's bucket, when he noticed something that didn't belong: Teeth