Vincennes State Historic Sites

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Tour Times (Registration Required)
Indoor tours are available Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

See Indiana’s Oldest City

Founded in 1732 in a part of the Midwest that belonged to France, Vincennes is Indiana’s oldest city. Over time, ownership of this town and area changed hands from France to Great Britain, and ultimately America following the Revolutionary War of 1776. In 1800, Congress created the Indiana Territory and named Vincennes its capital.

The new territory was much larger than the State of Indiana today, including what is now Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and part of Minnesota. Here in Vincennes, Governor William Henry Harrison and others made important decisions that would influence the future of the entire Midwest.

Walk through Indiana’s oldest city, where territory officials made decisions that changed the future of the entire Midwest. Tour different buildings including the original Territorial Capitol building, which was built in 1805, the Old French House, the Jefferson Academy – the first school of higher learning in the state, the Thompson House and the Elihu Stout Print Shop.

UPCOMING at VINCENNES

SEE ALL EVENTS

Jul 25

Architecture of Vincennes Walking Tour

7 pm – 8 pm

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Aug 22

Downtown Vincennes: Then and Now Walking Tour (all ages)

7 pm – 8 pm

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Front of the Original Capitol Building at Vincennes

Take a Walk Through History

Fort Knox II

Fort Knox II was an important military outpost used by the United States Army from 1803 to 1813. Captain Zachary Taylor strengthened Fort Knox with a stockade in 1811. Governor William Henry Harrison mustered his army at Fort Knox II and marched up the Wabash River to the Battle of Tippecanoe at Prophetstown (near present-day Lafayette, Ind.) on Nov. 7, 1811.

Sugar Loaf Mound

Sugar Loaf Mound is a natural feature that Late Woodland Indians used as a burial mound around 900 A.D. Travelers heading to Vincennes along the Buffalo Trace from Louisville used it as a landmark. The mound also served as a marker along the Underground Railroad for slaves seeking freedom in the North.

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PRESERVE THE LEGACY of Vincennes

Help keep the spirit of Indiana’s oldest city alive. Support the Vincennes State Historic Sites through donations, memberships, or volunteering and ensure future generations can experience this historic treasure.

There’s More to See Around the State.

With an Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites membership you get unlimited visits to all 12 of our locations around the state!

WELCOME to VINCENNES