DPLAfest 2015: Special Indy Activities and Attractions

By DPLA, April 10, 2015.

Published under:

Events

There’s lots to do in the Indianapolis area during DPLAfest 2015, just a week away! Here is a sampling of some of the excellent options.

Check out the Indiana Historical Society’s array of exhibitions (free for fest attendees!)

Did you know that you can get free admission to the Indiana Historical Society with your DPLAfest name badge? Simply show your DPLAfest name badge at the Historical Society welcome center and you’ll receive a wristband to explore the wonderful exhibits and activities inside:

Step into three-dimensional re-creations of historic photographs complete with characters come to life in You Are There: featuring That Ayres Look, 1939: Healing Bodies, Changing Minds, and 1904: Picture This
Let the latest technology take you back in time on virtual journeys throughout the state in Destination Indiana.
Pull up a stool at a cabaret and immerse yourself in the music of Hoosier legend Cole Porter in the Cole Porter Room.
In the W. Brooks and Wanda Y. Fortune History Lab, get a behind-the-scenes, hands-on look at conservation and the detective work involved history research.
Check out Lilly Hall, home of the Mezzanine Gallery, INvestigation Stations and Hoosier Legends.

Take a walking tour of the Indiana State Library’s stunning architecture

Join Indiana State Library staffer Steven Schmidt for a guided tour of the historic Indiana State Library. Please meet at least 5 minutes before the tour is slated to begin; see the DPLAfest schedule for more details.

Learn about the history and development of Indianapolis

If you’re interested in history, architecture, and anything in between, be sure to check out Indianapolis Historical Development: A Quick Overview on Saturday, 4/18 at 1:15 PM in IUPUI UL Room 1116. Led by William L. Selm, IUPUI Adjunct Faculty of the School of Engineering & Technology, this presentation will provide an “overview of the development of Indianapolis since its founding in 1821 as the capital city of Indiana in the center of the state. The factors that shaped the city will be presented as well as the buildings and monuments that are the products of these factors and forces.” Find out more about this session here.

Get inspired at the Indianapolis Museum of Art:

At the Innovative Museum Leaders Speaker Series on April 16, hear from Mar Dixon, the Founder of MuseuoMix UK, Museum Camp and Ask a Curator Day, London.
Peruse a number of interesting art exhibitions. This includes a Monuments Men-inspired look at the provenance research and ownership discussion surrounding one of the IMA’s European pieces, “Interior of Antwerp Cathedral.”

Learn more at The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art:

With a mission to inspire an appreciation and understanding of the cultures of the indigenous peoples of North America, the Eiteljorg Museum has a number of interesting offerings. See art from the American West, as well as an exhibit about the gold rush.

Show off your sports side:

Visit “The racing capital of the world,” the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Check out the speedway’s museum, and even take a track or grounds tour.
Relive the Final Four championship fun at the NCAA Hall of Champions.

For other child (or child-at-heart) friendly options:

Visit the world’s largest children’s museum, the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. And, yes, that’s Optimus Prime you’ll see parked out front–it’s part of a new Transformers exhibit, one of many fun options at the museum.
Explore at the Indianapolis Zoo, which now has a new immersive “Butterfly Kaleidoscope” conservatory, with 40 different butterfly species.

Don’t forget to take a second look at the DPLAfest schedule to make sure you don’t miss any of the exciting fest sessions! See you soon in Indianapolis!