Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites

If you’re part of our membership community — more than 2,900 households and growing — you probably have at least one favorite experience among our 12 one-of-a-kind locations across the state. Maybe it’s our mammoth collection of pre-historic skeletons or the historic home of a Hoosier ahead of their time.

But being a member of the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites gives you loads of amazing benefits, like endless adventures, access to exclusive experiences and so much more!

These five tips will help you get the most out of your membership. Not yet a member? Join the fun and become a member online through our website or in person at the museum and historic sites.

Member Exclusives

As a member, you play an important role in helping us share the stories of Indiana’s real people, places and things. To show our gratitude, we hosted two new member experiences this fall.

During our 2025 Sneak Peek members enjoyed a recap of our impact through the past year and got a first look at our upcoming experiences. That exciting event also kicked off Member Appreciation Week, when we celebrated YOU throughout our 12-location museum system with chances to win a free membership renewal, discounts in the museum and historic site gift shops, fun water bottle stickers and more.

Plus, there are member exclusive benefits throughout the year, including early access to register for special programs and camps, monthly member e-newsletters, exclusive invitations to exhibit previews and other members-only events.

Unlimited Admission

With your membership, you can visit our museum in Indianapolis and our 11 historic sites as many times as you want!

And, did you know kids visit for free? Children and grandchildren under 21 in your household are not included in your visitor count, so they also have unlimited admission to each of our locations. You can also add a designated caregiver to your membership at no charge.

For our Family Plus members, you can also bring a friend (or two) because your membership comes with free admission for two adults, plus two additional guests.

Discover More Museums

You love to explore, and so do we. So when you’re traveling, you have reciprocal admission to thousands of museums, sites and science centers around the world, so you can keep exploring wherever you go!

Next time you’re planning a trip, check to see which cultural institutions you can visit with your membership.

With 1,300+ arts, cultural and historical institutions through the North American Reciprocal Museum Association and 300-plus museums and science centers through the Association of Science and Technology Centers Travel Passport Program, you have lots of options to choose from.

Discounts Galore

Keep your digital membership card handy when you’re checking out at the Indiana Store and Farmers Market Café in Indy as well as the gift shops at our historic sites. Your membership lets you save on purchases there. Plus, you’ll save while planning the next adventure, with discounts on camps and select programs throughout the museum system.

Plus, members receive vouchers that can be used for free parking at the White River State Park parking garage during a museum visit.

Always Something New

Our rotating galleries on the third floor of the museum create a new experience every time you visit! And being a member means you stay in the loop on our new immersive experiences, art exhibits, hands-on activities and more.

With six new, seasonal exhibits each year plus Celebration Crossing for the holidays, there are unique experiences waiting for everyone in your household, from architecture afficionados and road-trippers to history buffs and little explorers.