Home › Experiences › The Hoosier Way

THE HOOSIER WAY

People Who Lived in Early Indiana
Level 2
EXPERIENCE ONGOING
The Hoosier Way
Level 2
EXPERIENCE ONGOING

Pioneering Greatness the Hoosier Way

Who were the Hoosiers who lived in Indiana during early statehood? What were their religions, methods of transportation and major conflicts? Learn how Indiana forged its identity as it emerged from the Pioneer era in Hoosier Way.

School children looking in a glass case at artifacts
  • ?php the_sub_field('title'); ?

    NEW PERSPECTIVES

    See the archaeologically recovered Gronauer Lock, once part of the Wabash and Erie Canal, from a perspective you’d never otherwise have—from underneath the canal bed!

  • ?php the_sub_field('title'); ?

    LISTEN IN

    Overhear the account of a freedom seeker’s journey, including hiding from capture.

  • ?php the_sub_field('title'); ?

    LEAD THE WAY

    Learn about Civil War leadership as you peek into a Civil War tent set up with Hoosier Captain David Harshbarger’s field desk, accessories and presentation sword.

Lincoln busts

A Look at our Lincoln Collection

Did you know Abraham Lincoln did not actively campaign to become president of the United States? Presidential candidates of the time usually didn’t campaign themselves as it would have been considered too ambitious! Learn more about Abraham Lincoln and the election of 1860 in this behind-the-scenes video featuring artifacts from the Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection at the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites.

Primitive wagon

The Grand Central Station of the Underground Railroad

The Coffin House was ranked by The History Channel as “one of the nation’s Top 25 Historical Sites.” In 2016, The Smithsonian named the Levi Coffin House Interpretive Center as “one of twelve new museums around the world to visit,” while the Indiana Office of Tourism Development voted it as one of the top Museums in the state of Indiana. It’s easy to see why.

Girl looking in glass case at helmet